Two French riders and the European over 40s badminton champion were among more than 20 riders who converged on the island for the second newcomers’ visit at the weekend.
Organised by the Hailwood Foundation, prospective Manx Grand Prix newcomers met the Manx Motor Cycle Club officials who organise the event, and have first hand information on entries and race bike preparation.
But most important of all, riders are taken by minibus around the island on sighting laps complete with commentary by experienced racers on the Mountain Course.
Michael Watt, a 49-year-old financial advisor from Northern Ireland, has visited many times with friends to see the TT and is no stranger to the Mountain Course on open roads. His talents extend beyond figures and motorcycles to racquet sports: he is the current European over 40s badminton champion and has represented his country at the sport in the Commenwealth Games.
‘I’m realising an ambition,’ he said.
‘I’ve been to the Isle of Man about eight times to watch the racing and I’ve been racing since about 1990, though with a break and a return a few years ago. It’s an ambition - so I may only do it once. I’m a social racer so the plan is to be as competitive as possible but enjoy it and go home at the end. I’m looking forward to it all. Not just setting off for practice but to the overall atmosphere and being around the paddock too,’ he said.
He will be riding his Suzuki GSCR750 and would like to do 100mph – a replica would be nice too, he said.
Julien Toniutti, 32, and endurance racer Martial Mourra, 36, both made the journey from France.
Julien is from Lyon and will be riding a Yamaha R6. ‘I’ve never been here before so to race here is a childhood dream. I used to watch videos on the internet,’ he said.
Martial, who hopes to ride a Kawasaki ZX6R added: ‘Motorcycles are my religion and this is Mecca. People have been welcoming and generous but remembering the course will be a challenge.’
Malachi Mitchell Thomas is 18 and comes from Bolton. He rides for the Silicone Engineering Race Team in the Junior Superstock series. He came with team mate Russ Mountford last year to see the S100. ‘I’m looking forward to getting airborne over Ballaugh Bridge,’ he said.
MGP practices start on August 16. Races are on Monday 25, Wednesday 27 and Friday 29 August.