Iom tt 2014

[Matt Bleck]

I'm looking into going to the Isle of Mann to compete in the Lightweight class in 2014.

I've had a talk to Daniel Jansen about getting a bike there, means I'd have to build a or buy a SV or ER to take over. That part seems reasonably straight forward.

I'm keen to hear from anyone in the know about all the other things I'd need to sort, accommodation, travel, insurances, travel grants, anything that I'll need or could make it easier.

Cheers!

[racer40]

Hi Paul, PM me your ph no and i will call you, give you a few bits of help hopefully, but of to USA for 3.5 weeks from later today, so will call when get back, Chris

[slowpoke]

Fuckin' good on you, Paul! Trip of a lifetime mate, keep us in the loop eh?

Sorry it's so general but I read an article about a crew of "average Joe" American racers (not guns) who also wanted to tick the IOM box, and they managed to rent bikes rather than build/buy their own. Swings and roundabouts either way I guess.

All the best mate, I'll be following with interest.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Good on ya Paul,
Glen W and Craig S have both been over but I guess they are a little busy at the moment but would have some good advice.
There is a forum on the official IOM web site too which could lead to some good contacts.
Flick a business case to MNZ, there may be a small grant there, or at least they can point you in the right direction for one.
Also there is our resident IOM expert but I think he is away on an oil rig at the moment, he would certainly have a few names that could help sort things
KG

[Matt Bleck]

Thanks for the replies.

It's just a thought at the moment, but after the brief talk I had with Daniel it sounded very accessible and it's something I'd dearly love to do!

But it can't be that easy other wise everyone would doing it, right? So I'm just doing as much research as I can at the moment to try and work out the cost and whether it is something I can do.

I've talked to Craig about it before, or should I say he's told me about his experiences there & I'll pester GW for some info next time I see him!

I like the idea of renting a bike and just showing up and riding, I'm guessing then you wouldn't have to worry about trying to build a reliable bike as the company leasing the bike would have that covered if there was a failure? I do like the idea of doing your own bike and shipping it over though!

[Tony.OK]

Awesome stuff!
Really hope it pans out for ya and will be one of the many following with interest Paul.
Doesn't Wharfy have contacts there?

[CHOPPA]

Does that mean you have to do the manx in 2013?

Id love to do it but my family is not keen

[Matt Bleck]

Does that mean you have to do the manx in 2013?

Id love to do it but my family is not keen

I don't think you have to Choppa from what I've found so far.

IMO it's no more dangerous than racing a street circuit here, but, that's my view and I rather not go there as this is KB!

[codgyoleracer]

Thanks for the replies.

It's just a thought at the moment, but after the brief talk I had with Daniel it sounded very accessible and it's something I'd dearly love to do!

But it can't be that easy other wise everyone would doing it, right? So I'm just doing as much research as I can at the moment to try and work out the cost and whether it is something I can do.

I've talked to Craig about it before, or should I say he's told me about his experiences there & I'll pester GW for some info next time I see him!

I like the idea of renting a bike and just showing up and riding, I'm guessing then you wouldn't have to worry about trying to build a reliable bike as the company leasing the bike would have that covered if there was a failure? I do like the idea of doing your own bike and shipping it over though!

Hi Paul Glen Williams the 1st went and did it, but the year i was going it got canned due to a 'foot n mouth" outbreak.

If its a "bucket list" thing then then why not, but pretty much all the guys i have spoken too about it say its not a place to take lightly (even at 85% pace.) The NZ street circuits IMO have virtually no comparison.

Craig S - will probably slap you first, then give some advice .......... :-)

Obviusly the Gremlin woiuld be worth PM ing.

Good luck with the plans though, the 650 twins class their has slightly different specification / rules to our F3 and Pro-Twins, so if building one up then download their rules 1st.

[jellywrestler]

I'm looking into going to the Isle of Mann to compete in the Lightweight class in 2014.

I've had a talk to Daniel Jansen about getting a bike there, means I'd have to build a or buy a SV or ER to take over. That part seems reasonably straight forward.

I'm keen to hear from anyone in the know about all the other things I'd need to sort, accommodation, travel, insurances, travel grants, anything that I'll need or could make it easier.

Cheers!

have you started learning the circuit using video footage? It's a good place to start, get a sidecar video too as the footage should be level where as bike ones will have the lean built in.
watch it regularly and from various points too as inevitably being 20 odd minutes you'll lose interest part way through and know shit loads from the start then you'll falter.
you should get to a stage where you can flick through footage at random and recognise the spot straight away and know what the next few corners are.
Nothing prepares you entirely for being there but here's a start.
once on the island drive round at night, and then on low beam you should know the circuit that well that it should be recognisable in the low beam distance.
I did a thousand miles round the circuit and there was always one grey tiled roof just coming out of Sarah's cottage that caught my eye saying to my brain there's the road, but the road was the other way.....

[SWERVE]

Hey Paul
Check out the bikes that are for sale over there and UK (www.realroadracing.com) has a classified section.
Why not buy over there and ship back..... that way you end up with a nice bit of kit back in NZ and probebly for a good price too.
Good luck...... you will not be disappointed

[Matt Bleck]

Hi Paul Glen Williams the 1st went and did it, but the year i was going it got canned due to a 'foot n mouth" outbreak.

If its a "bucket list" thing then then why not, but pretty much all the guys i have spoken too about it say its not a place to take lightly (even at 85% pace.) The NZ street circuits IMO have virtually no comparison.

Craig S - will probably slap you first, then give some advice .......... :-)

Obviusly the Gremlin woiuld be worth PM ing.

Good luck with the plans though, the 650 twins class their has slightly different specification / rules to our F3 and Pro-Twins, so if building one up then download their rules 1st.

Hey Glenn,

Thanks for the reply, I've had a look at the regulations from last years IOM TT here (appendix E), and have started trying to figure out the main differences. Most notable is that it say's nothing about retaining the OEM airbox and filter. From the looks of some of the Super or Mini Twins (I'm not sure on the correct term for a 650 yet!) you can have a ram air setup?

I'm interested as to why the ER is favoured over the SV too. From what I've found so far is that the 2nd gen SV has weaker connecting rod? Doesn't like the load going from free spin when airborne to traction when landing?

It's not really a bucket list thing, though to do it once would be a major mile stone in any racers life and what an adventure it would be!!

After some thinking your probably right about it not being anything like NZ circuits, it's probably more a kin to
a jaunt with the litre club through the Coro Loop, or a brisk run through the Waioeka after a heavy downpour. Seriously though I will treat the course with the respect it deserves! I think I can concur it, if I can get there that is!

Yes Craig was pretty negative in he's comments about it and I can understand why.

I've thought about asking Shaun......

[Matt Bleck]

have you started learning the circuit using video footage? It's a good place to start, get a sidecar video too as the footage should be level where as bike ones will have the lean built in.
watch it regularly and from various points too as inevitably being 20 odd minutes you'll lose interest part way through and know shit loads from the start then you'll falter.
you should get to a stage where you can flick through footage at random and recognise the spot straight away and know what the next few corners are.
Nothing prepares you entirely for being there but here's a start.
once on the island drive round at night, and then on low beam you should know the circuit that well that it should be recognisable in the low beam distance.
I did a thousand miles round the circuit and there was always one grey tiled roof just coming out of Sarah's cottage that caught my eye saying to my brain there's the road, but the road was the other way.....

I'm trying to learn Teratonga and Levels at the mo Spyda..... but, a very good friend of mine has the PS2 game so I'm gunna start there first?!

[Matt Bleck]

Hey Paul
Check out the bikes that are for sale over there and UK (www.realroadracing.com) has a classified section.
Why not buy over there and ship back..... that way you end up with a nice bit of kit back in NZ and probebly for a good price too.
Good luck...... you will not be disappointed

I have added that to my collect of bookmarks, thank you good sir!

[Deano]

Hey bro, you should definitely have a go at the Cliffhanger Hillclimb in March (although I think it clashes with the Nationals next year ).

It's only 6.1kms but a much closer experience to the IOM than Wanganui or Paeroa.

I'd love to have a go myself in the same class. Bugger doing it on anything faster. Part of me is envious, another part thinks you're bloody mad hahaha