2007 Isle of Man TT

Race Report by Ian Armstrong

Hello again,
well the dust has settled on TT 2007 and I am pleased to say happy with four silver replicas from four races. Thanks to Andy and the team at Powersport for their support and the web page updates, the results and times etc. The standard of competition now is ferocious and with so many quality riders all capable of 120mph+ laps, to stay in the top 20 you have to be really on it, and so does your team . All the major factory supported Teams and well supported rivals were there and I was delighted to win four more silver replicas and again be noted as the first privateer. Each race had its own story but in the Superstock TT , I was sorry not to have held on to 9th having missed it by 11 seconds, when Gary Carswell posted his fastest lap ever on his world Superstock Boliger Kawasaki. I struggled with the suspension and on the last lap eased slightly but fair play to Gary he was great. Still finishing in front of brilliant riders like Ian Lougher , Nigel Beatie and Chris Palmer to name a few is special because these are among the best road racers anywhere.

There was further drama in the senior race that wasnt reported when whilst running 9th ,came in for the first pit stop.Keith Amor was riding the factory Honda supported Uel Duncan bike, and following him into the pits couldnt get to my space for him blocking the way. the organisers had put him in the pit next to us even though we were together on the grid . This obviously meant a squash and we lost about 40 seconds due to this struggle to change the rear wheel.This was only made worse when the rider rode straight over my mechanic's ( Mantis ) ankle. He finished the job though and on the second pit only lost about 15 seconds as he was now in pain, having still carried the wheel down to Pirreli for a fresh tyre and refuelled the fuel hopper ready for the second pit stop. By now he was in a lot of pain and had to leave the pit and go back to the truck.I still finished the race 9th behind Michael Rutter which was a result considering I lost about a minute, after the race his girlfriend Liz looked at his ankle and resolved that a trip to Hospital was needed. We couldnt believe it when she rang from hospital to say it was broken and they put a pot on for 6 weeks. So a massive thankyou to him for his dedication under fire," what a hero."

Any how this leaves me without a mechanic for the next couple of meetings,but we will do our best in the meantime.The funny thing was that the next day we decided we were unable to do the Steam Packet Races at Billown and would have a day off ,so taking him out for the day wearing his team shirt ,every where we went people would look at him, or ask where he crashed thinking him a rider .Much to our amusement when he tried to explain he was the mechanic.

I would like to finish by, on behalf of everyone in my team, extending our heartfelt condolences to those who were affected by the tragedy that occurred during the last lap of the Senior race.

Thanks again to everyone involved this year including for their fantastic support, and the mechnics Mantis, Alan , Howard and Steve, and especially

Powersport Bikes, Canteen Smithy Engineering, Star Hire, G.Coffey Accident Solicitors

Click here to visit the Official TT web site