Ian Mackman © Raceline Photography

Practice began with my goal for the event to qualify for each race in which I had entered. I was riding my Superstock spec Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6, and a standard GSX-R600 K5 loaned to me by Bill Smith Motors in Chester, to maximise my amount of track time.

The first lap I, and all the other newcomers, had to follow a travelling marshal. This was to show us the course without the danger of any of us over cooking it! During the previous six months I had watched on-board TT videos more or less every morning, had plenty of hours on the playstation video game. I’d also taken a car over to the island, and my road bike across, to get in as much experience of the circuit as possible - 37.75 miles of twists and turns is a lot to remember! I found the newcomers lap useful, although if you had done your homework on the track then there was really no need.

The bikes are parked up in a holding area next to the road before the session begins. Once the session starts they call you up onto the road. The resulting chaos is comical - all of the riders want to get going as soon as possible to get as many laps in the two-hour time slot. Bikes, riders, generators, tyre warmers, mechanics, stands, toolboxes etc all pile towards a gate onto the road. The first time I pulled out onto the road I wanted to look left and right, green cross code style! It is very surreal, the whole course being closed for your enjoyment.

Tension mounted as I pulled up to the line. For practice, you are set off at ten-second intervals in pairs. The start marshal puts a hand on your shoulder, then taps it when it’s time to go. The first time down Brae Hill is an experience, a really steep downhill section where the bike bottoms out in the bottom of the valley, then over two crests (Ago’s leap) at 160mph with the front wheel in the air. Although it was dry in Douglas, the roads were wet in Ramsey. This wasn’t so enjoyable - I really took my time through this section. With the whole of practice week ahead, there was plenty of time when it would be dry to sort out this sector.

I was really happy after my first session - a decent time, not far outside of the qualifying time, even with the roads being wet in places. The following session was on Monday; again the road was wet at Ramsey, which was disappointing. Once again I took my time, not wanting to rush into anything. The circuit is fantastic but very unforgiving in the event of a crash. I set a time which qualified me for the Superstock race, 108.09 mph average.

For Tuesday’s session my aim was to get a time in on the 1000 to make sure I qualified for the Superbike and Senior races, then get on the 600 and qualify for the Supersport race. After two laps I had qualified the 1000 at an average of 111.71mph. I got straight onto the 600 and got two more laps in, pleased with how well the bike handled as it was only my second time on the bike - I didn’t know what to expect. Although I don’t think I’ve ever held a bike flat out for as long in my life - some sections the throttle is wide open for 2.5 miles at a time! It was great to ride a small bike again, but a culture shock after two years on 1000cc machines. My average on the 600 was 110.03mph, which qualified me on that bike too. Happy with that, I wanted a couple more laps on the 600, but ultimately I wanted to concentrate with the 1000, which was a much more competitive package.

Wednesday’s practice was cancelled due to bad weather, and the next time out on Thursday I went straight out on the 600 to get some more laps in. Two laps in and I had set similar times to Tuesday. Happy with that I got back on the 1000, setting a lap time of 20mins 00.13 seconds, 113.17mph. Every lap seemed to be getting smoother, and with less physical effort due to my improving lines, but the times were coming down. The 1000 is a great bike around this course - really hard work over the crests and bumps, the bike is airborne a lot! I saw 190mph down the Sulby straight. Even that took some working up to - early in the week my brain just couldn’t contemplate the speed, and I kept rolling off miles too early for the corner at the end of the straight, just because it was approaching so fast. I think that is the key to learning the TT - build up to each part of the track. Scaring yourself early in the week will only slow you down in the long run.

Friday’s session was a waste of time. A big crash at Glen Helen forced us all to stop, as the crashing bike’s fuel tank had set fire to the bank next to the track. With only one lap on the 600, and the same on the 1000, I didn’t improve on my times.

The first race was the Superbike on Monday, rescheduled from a wet Saturday. I was anxious about the event, but less so than I am at a British Superbike Meeting. With no real pressure, only that which I put on myself, it was just another practice session in my mind. My first lap put me in 51st place, 113.36mph from a standing start. Lap two I was 50th, 114.47mph. Then I stopped for fuel, another new experience, foot down in the stop box then fly down to your pit. Jo, my wife, swapped the visor. James, a friend, filled it with fuel. Geoff, my uncle and one time world motocross mechanic, was on the rear wheel change. This caused a problem - Geoff had only arrived the previous night and hadn’t had any real practice on the rear wheel swap. It was a tall order to expect it to go smoothly first time, but as I had said before the race - as long as the wheel is swapped and is done safely that is the important thing. It took a while to swap the wheel, spacers falling out etc, but it was done. (More practice required for the Senior race!)

The whole race was a learning curve for us all. Lap three and I was down to 58th place, the wheel change had cost me a lot. Lap four still 58th, 115.39mph, but one of the biggest moments of my racing career. Ballycrye leap is a 140mph jump following a 6th gear left hand turn. You come around the corner, get the bike upright as quickly as possible and drive the bike, throttle open, over the jump. I didn’t quite get the bike upright on this lap, and it landed with the wheels out of line - I think the crowd could hear me screaming before the wheels even hit the deck!! The bike landed and the rear wheel threw itself from full lock one way to full lock the other repeatedly, eventually straightening up 200 yards up the road. A big moment: note to self, make sure bike is well upright before take off next time!

A smooth pit stop with just a fuel change after lap four and I was back up to 53rd place. Lap five, 52nd place. I felt like I was taking it a bit easier on the final lap, to make sure I got a finish in my first ever TT race. 52nd place and 115.12mph with a race average of 110.37mph. I was tired, nearly 230 miles of flat out riding, but I was over the moon a strong finish and my personal best lap time.

Tuesday saw the Superstock race start. I was once again seeded as one of the final starters, due to my lack of road racing experience. Lap one and I was in 44th place, 116.03mph from a standing start. I was pushing for a decent time, although all the time keeping control and not doing anything stupid - in fact the lock to lock tank slapper over Ballacrye leap remains as my only scary moment for the whole fortnight. Lap two, 42nd place, 116.89mph.

The pit stop went well, just a re-fuel and visor change. Nobody would tell me what lap times I was doing though - when I asked I just got the response “really fast”. I said that didn’t help me, but no more information was offered. I think they didn’t want to get me too impressed with myself, to keep the job in hand at the forefront of my mind! Lap three, 42nd place. Once again I took it slightly easier on the final lap to ensure a finish, 38th place, 116.26mph, and a race average of 115.13mph. I was well pleased, having aimed to qualify at this year’s event, now I was finishing in the top half of the field. I’d also earned myself a bronze replica. Bronze replicas are awarded to riders finishing within 110% of the winner’s total time, silver replicas to riders within 105% of the winners time.

The Supersport race was on Wednesday, the third day in a row on a bike. I’d never even ridden a road bike further than 170 miles in one day, and now I was doing big distances every day at top speed. Physically I was fine except for my neck, poking my head up into 190mph wind blasts and crunching up behind the screen was taking its toll. It was a relief to get on the small bike again for a rest. It is great fun to ride the 600 around the Island. The bike is much more forgiving than the 1000 - being early onto the throttle and keeping the corner speeds high were the key.

I had a top race, the bike was well down on power against the leaders but helped me greatly. As it is slower and less powerful it gives you that bit more time to pick your lines, markers on the track and isn’t as scary as the 1000. It definitely helped me when I got back on the 1000. I’d noted so much more about the track, and those extra miles under my belt were the key to a good lap. I came home in 48th place, with a best lap of 113.06 mph, and a race average of 111.03 mph. A great result on the bike, and only 1mph outside of a bronze replica result.

Finally a day off on Thursday, more preparation on the 1000 ready for the Senior race on Friday. I had initially had my entrance to the Senior rejected, but my results during the week had qualified me for the race. Start number 60 was a great improvement on my 80+ starts in every other event. Lap one and I had already caught and passed three riders on the road. This is a great feeling. Obviously, when you leave the start at ten-second intervals you have no idea where you are running in the race. To overtake people obviously gives you a gauge that you are going well, and spurs you on.

My first lap and I was in 34th place, of 70 runners, 118.07mph. During the race I have no idea what lap speeds I’m doing, but to have made 2mph on my previous best from a standing start was superb. Lap two, 27th place, 119.51 mph lap speed, including slowing down for the pit stop. To lap around the 120mph mark is a great achievement, and something that not many newcomers manage - this remains as my best lap of the fortnight. I remained in 27th place for the rest of the race, and got another 119mph lap in too. Another Bronze replica and third best newcomer. I was so pleased to have finished every race and got some excellent results and times in too. Two bronze replicas, two finishers’ medals, and a medal for being the third newcomer were the spoils of what had been an excellent fortnight.

The TT is now firmly marked on my calendar. Realistically this could be my last season in the British Championship, due to escalating costs. But I can go to the TT, get paid start money, which goes towards some of the costs, and have the time of my life!! The track isn’t as dangerous as is made out. Yes, it is unforgiving if you did fall, but you have to ride within your limit and build the speed up each lap - do this and it is the best place on earth.

The one thing that sticks in my mind about the TT is the spectators. There are thousands of them lining the course. At a British Championship meeting, whilst riding you wouldn’t even know there was anyone at the track. At the TT you are literally flying over the cross roads on the Sulby straight at 180mph, with people leaning over a rope barrier onto the road drinking beer. On the final lap of every race, everyone is on their feet waving and clapping as you pass, kids even ask for your autograph! Real life now seems like a let down! Picture the scene: you get up in the morning, prepare the bike, then they close your favourite piece of road and you ride around it as fast as you can. What more could there ever be to life?! See you there next year!!

Ian Mackman

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