Following a week of racing interrupted by rapidly changing weather forecasts, schedules adjusted in the hope of meeting everyone’s wish lists, Senior Race day dawned to be greeted by Mona’s Isle’s sunniest face – wall to wall sunshine, (even in Ramsey!), and we were treated to a stunning display of machine and track mastery by the top riders.
William led at the end of the first lap, with brother Michael uncharacteristically trailing in fifth place. Connor was putting in a performance that belied his shattering accident of 2010. He had been showing increasing levels of fitness, coupled with ever increasing pace derived via his smooth riding style.
However, despite riding the wheels off his Honda, Connor just could not deny Michael his fourth TT victory of the week, and his eleventh TT win, (matching Hizzy’s total). Connor’s pit stops were slick and gained him some three and a half seconds on Michael on each visit to pit-lane, but once back on the road Michael eased out his lead to around nine/ten seconds, showing a maturity and control previously the mark of brother William.
As a result of the demands made for Marshaling duties every day of Race Week, we found ourselves operating at the bare minimum required to enable racing to take place in Sector three. Hence my being moved to cover gaps in personnel, which is how I discovered one of THE most stunning positions to watch a race I have experienced to date.” Appledene Kennels” is situated on the exit from “Appledene”proper, the Flag Marshal’s post being tucked behind a gate pillar and telegraph pole on private land.
The Lightweight race had me on the edge of my seat, and the Senior saw me growing increasingly fond of both pillar and pole as they the riders hurtled directly towards me at 140+mph. That we can witness such courage, skill and mastery at first hand, in such close proximity, still surprises me, and I leave TT 2014 just as enthralled and awestruck as I was at my first ever visit.
If you have yet to experience either the TT or the Manx, (or the Southern 100), please do not put it off any longer – you will wonder why you denied yourself for so long, once you come over for the first time.”
All the best,
Jim
Tags: Connor Cummins, Isle of Man TT, Isle of Man TT Marshalls Association, Manx GP, Michael Dunlop, Ramsey, Southern 100, Steve Hislop