All change for Ian Mackman
After return from a serious injury at the end of the 2009 season I started 2010 enjoying several succesful meetings in preparation for the Isle of Man TT. I felt better than ever back on the bike and improved on several personal best lap times. I started the season with PRF Racing but following the Oulton Park BSB round I decided that it was in my best interests to part company with the team.
My TT really looked in jeopardy but after finishing 10th in last years Senior race, missing out on my 4th year at the TT just wasn’t an outcome that I could accept. I feel that I have so much improvement in me and I desperately wanted show to the TT supporters and fans just what I can do. This left me with no alternative but to run my own bikes at this years TT races.
Since my split from the PRF I have had huge amounts of support from friends and family which has encouraged me to continue racing. I have returned to my former team banner “Team 2 Machs Racing.” I have been flattered by the number of people who have come forward to offer help, physically, financially and with top quality products to help towards making the TT happen for me this season. With financial support from my father, Tony, plus personal sponsors A&S Transport (Chester), Jim Blomley (Quill Exhausts, Golbourne), Bob Beese, Tom Jones, Carl Roberts Diesel Engineering (Santon, IOM), Steve Mort (Hein Gerike, Chester) and Andy Findlay (roadracingsupporters.com). I have been able to secure a budget which has enabled me to be in a position to leave for the Island on the same ferry that I had always planned to! It is very humbling knowing so many people will do what they can for you to see you succeed.
I will now be riding my own, bought and paid for, Suzuki GSXR1000L0 in the Superstock, Superbike and Senior races. Suzuki generously supplied the bike as part of the race support scheme discount through Bill Smith Motors Ltd (Chester). With very little time to prepare the bike the demanding Mountain Circuit I was very worried that we would not be able to succeed and build a suitable high spec machine. But yet again companies within the motorcycle industry have come forward to help me with products, time and experience to ensure I get the best machine possible to take with me to the TT.
The very experienced Jim Blomley of Quill Exhausts has supplied not only some financial backing for me but has also has built a beautiful bespoke exhaust system for the 1000cc machine as well as a new silencer for the 600. The bikes shall be run in the famous “you can spot it a mile off” yellow and orange racing colours of Jim’s. Colours that are so well-known around race paddocks all over the world.
TT race winning engine man Ricky Leddy of RLR Motorsport (Church Stretton), who helped with the preparation of the 675 machine of Jim Blomleys that I campaigned in 2008, was quick to call me when he heard of the position that I was in. He assured me any help he could offer me was available. RLR are to prepare my Superstock engine and also provide set up for the machine on his impressive inhouse dyno. Ricky will use the help of JPR group to ensure the complete bike has been built to the best possible spec in a very short space of time.
Richard Adams of Maxton Engineering has been fantastic. At such a busy time for his company they have pulled out all the stops to provide me with the very latest “state of the art” suspension. The set will use their very latest GP30 fork internals and GP10 rear shock. These products have been hand-made especially for me in-house at Maxton in less than 10 days! Who said British Engineering was dead? These items are beautifully made and work extremely well.
As well as the aforementioned I have had several suppliers contribute more products including Crescent Suzuki (BIG thank you to James Blackford for all his help and priority over parts), GPR Steering dampers (Mike Edwards), B&C Express, Suzuki GB, Dunlop Motorsport (Pat Walsh), RST Leathers, Shoei Helmets & Sidi boots (Feridax), NGK Plugs, Goodridge, Motul, Castrol, Peformance Friction, STP Motorsport, Esoteric Paintwork, Katie Copeland Physiotherapy and GB Racing. Their valuable and timely support will ensure I get to line up on Glencutchery Road next Saturday for the first Practice of TT 2010
With regards to a 600cc machine, I have been kindly supplied a GSXR600 by Graham Eyton Motorbody Repairs (Ewloe) to compete on. This is a full Supersport spec machine which has been built to high standards by Slick Perfomance (IOM). Slick will also be providing the team with set up and support whilst we are on the island ensuring that the bikes are kept to the required standard that the Isle of Man TT demands of machinery.
We have all been flat out busy putting everything into place in just 2 weeks. Even as I write this (with 6 days until my ferry leaves!) the 1000cc machine is only just in the latter stages of completion. I hope to get a shake down test (as long as the paint is dry!) at Mallory Park next Wednesday afternoon prior to leaving for the TT.
I feel that TT 2010 is going to be a big year for me and I am very excited about running my own team and bikes again. My aim, with some good fortune, will be to improve on my excellent results of 2009 and build on my personal best lap speed of 124.4mph.
I hope to see you all over at the TT this year, hopefully it’ll be a great year for all of us. Please feel free to come down and see me for a chat and by all means, chuck £5 into the fuel fund!
Ian Mackman
Posted: May 22, 2010