Monday 5th June:

Lightweight TT and 400 Class ...

These were combined in one three-lap race and there was a strong contingency of Kiwi's competing.  The weather had cleared up and the 250's were led away by Paul Williams, but when they came through after lap one it was Joey Dunlop who lead on the road, last years winner John McGuinness was second, Bruce Anstey third and Shaun Harris just four seconds behind.  Bruce had a flying second lap at 115.91 mph, faster than Dunlop and McGuinness, which proves that equivalent machinery was all he was lacking last year. Shaun lapped at 114.81 mph, still in 4th place, and Hugh Renolds had worked his way from 19th to 16th position.  At the flag Joey took the win by 53 seconds, Ian Lougher was second just 12 seconds ahead of Shaun Harris, Hugh Renolds lead one of the Island's top racers home to take 15th place and Paul Williams, who I had heard was having handling problems, finished 21st.Meanwhile, all sorts of drama were unfolding amongst the 400's.  All ears were on the front runners, Brett Richmond started in seventh position, ten seconds behind the local favourite David Madsen-Mygdal.  During the first nine miles to Ballacraine, Brett's Shand's Racing CBR was clearly closing in on the IOM riders NC 30, Brett was confident the race was his.  Then disaster struck as his Honda began to misfire and Brett was sure his race was over and he could only ride for the finish.  At the end of the first lap however the two riders were still exactly ten seconds apart, first equal.  One lap later Brett trailed by 1.8 seconds, but had no idea how close he was.  On the final lap Brett's problems became insignificant as the leader suffered an engine failure and retired at Ramsey. Brett failed to see the stricken rider as he passed through Parliament Square, so he had no idea he was leading as he negotiated the mountain for the final time, in fact no one else knew either.Craig Sheriffs suffered more problems than he had during practice week when he pulled out due to a flat battery, a huge disappointment after all the effort he had put in but, as always, he accepted his bad fortune in good spirits.  Nigel Bish had a great ride finishing 12th and picking up a newcomer's medal and a bronze replica.  Paul Dobbs was 6th and received a silver replica.
Straight after the race I ran from my viewing point at the top of Bray Hill back to the pits in time for the presentation.  It was fantastic to see Bruce Anstey and then Brett Richmond standing in 2nd spot on the Podium displaying the New Zealand flag, (was that a missprint?) Well no actually, Brett had the top of the podium place robbed from him by an Irishman who definitely does not portray the true Irish spirit of road racing.  The top three finishers had their engines stripped and checked.  It was then that the officials discovered his Yamaha had a 200 cc advantage over his rivals.  Even so, if Brett`s engine had been running properly he would have beaten him anyway.  We celebrated till dawn and Brett had a huge grin on his face the entire night.    Brett Richmond on the Podium after the Lightweight TT
Brett Richmond on the
Podium after the
Lightweight TT


2nd Sidecar Race ...

The second sidecar race followed the Lightweight TT.  Luck was with the Lawrence brothers this time they finished in a well deserved 23rd position from 70 starters, not far off their 100 mph goal and just short of a bronze replica .  All the hours they had spent on an engine transplant had paid off!