Westmuir Racing head for the Isle of Man T T Races

As promised last night the boys from Westmuir Racing came down to the Dolphin Inn tonight with their "flying machine", the Number 53, Suzuki 600cc sidecar combination, all packed up, every nut and bolt sorted and ready for the road next week before they head off to get the boat to the Isle of Man.

The bike, like all thoroughbreds was neatly packed up, washed and polished and ready for the task ahead.

The Isle of Man TT is acknowledged as the ultimate motor cycle racing challenge with riders applying for places from all over the World. Applicants must submit a CV showing recent competence by taking part in at least six recognised races in the year before the TT with good results.

You will see that this is not quite the conventional motor cycle, lacks the comforts of home and is certainly a test for both the driver and pillion passenger.

There are two events for the riders to take part in during TT week, for these bikes three laps of the 37.75 miles (113 miles) which No 53 ( who will probably be using No 41 for the event will complete in about sixty nine minutes, while the winners will be about ten minutes faster.

A set of tyres costs about £500 and the bike will need two sets during the week. The sidecars are not allowed to stop to refuel hence the three lap race while solo motorcycles refuel twice during a six lap event. Fuel for his machine will cost about £240.

The driver position is certainly not very comfortable, and at speeds of up to 150 mph on the fast stretches will take all their powers of concentration, Andrew Couper is seen here in his riding position.

The Isle of Man Races are acknowledge as being highly dangerous and the races are stages at the insistence of the riders, who despite the threat of serious injury in an accident love the event .

Unlike conventional racing circuits the fasted stretch is eight miles long ridden flat out which takes it toll on both man and machines with many breaking down, so all riders who finish the course receive a Certificate.

With the fibre glass body shell removed you can see how robust these machines are. The steering is nominal with the handlebars only moving a few degrees so the riders work hard with the pillions on drifting these machines round bends.

Andrew seen here with their team manager Richard Foulton who recently travelled across Europe on motorcycles with a former colleague of mine, David Shilton, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.





Andrew's normal pillion passenger on the mainland circuits is Lianne Mayhew, however being a sensible person she has opted out of the TT races.

Andrew will be accompanied by Stuart Clark for these events and you can see from the photos the various positions he will adopt in order to keep the bike on the road during the race.

Hopefully he will have the strength to hold on and not be left behind at the start. The pillion has be be very fast and agile to move around the small platform at the rear of the machine and transfer his / her weight over the rear wheels as and when necessary.

I would like to say that it is with great admiration that I will be following their progress during TT week,but I seriously think they are "balmy", or is it a case that as I get older I am getting wiser !!! or just plain chicken !!

Guys, you have a ball, I wish you well a safe journey, a good race and look forward to seeing you, along with the bike back at the Dolphin Inn.