Tag: Isle of Man TT

The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play.

by competitiveimage
New BMW 2020 S1000RR – Resting in the Rain

The sun did not shine.

It was too wet to play.

So we sat in the house

All that cold, cold, wet day.

I sat there with Jon

We sat there, we two.

And I said, “how I wish

We had something to do.”.

Dude – let’s go get some interviews! 

And that’s exactly what we did. 

With apologies to both Dr. Seuss and The (Manx) Cat and the Hat, for the most part the 2019 Isle of Man TT has been too wet to play.

Practice was supposed to be Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Although previously unscheduled, there was practice on Sunday and again on Tuesday but even though the roads looked good at the start and here in Glen Vine, up on Snaefell Mountain, the visibility was so low the medical helicopters wouldn’t have been able to fly.

But that was for Friday, let’s rewind a bit.

I am here at the TT to collect and tell a few stories about the oldest, fastest and most dangerous race in the world. Mostly, I do this with my camera. This year, my favorite video producer Jon Phillips has joined me for a week at the TT. In addition to shooting stills, our plan was to shoot video interviews with some of the riders that I got to know last year and create a YouTube Channel to share some of the drivers’ insights with fans in America.

This is special year, and it will be even more special if the weather clears. This will be the TT’s introduction to the brand new and amazing BMW S1000RR. When first introduced in 2009, it was revolutionary. The new model is NOT an evolution, but total redesign. We will have lots of comments from top drivers. Including Peter Hickman and Michael Rutter.

Stay tuned while we get the edits done over the next few weeks and in the meantime,  here are a few photos. 

A few early morning photos and conversation with Michael Rutter about his lap on the 2020 S1000RR
For Sam West it’s still a work day, sitting here between his Superbike and Superstock S1000RR
Lee Johnston eager to get out on the Mountain Course.
Peter Hickman, the World’s Fastest Road Racer is riding the new S1000RR
When you’re fast, there is always someone trying to chase you down.
What’s the last thing to go through a bug’s mind, when your going 192 on Sulby Straight?
Wasn’t that Michael Rutterrrrrrr?

Superbike Are On the Road

by competitiveimage
Michael Dunlop on his first practice lap on his new S1000RR Superbike

4:00 PM on Monday afternoon the skies darkened, the rain clouds moved in and within minutes, the speakers in the paddock blasted out the news that the evenings practice was canceled. Not unexpected but not what was hoped for.

Tuesday morning was bright, sunny and cool and we headed up to the former Jurby Airfield and current Motordrome for some early morning testing. The Jurby course is a short course where the teams can get some time in and make adjustments without having to worry about riding the entire TT Mountain course.

We went up hoping to get a few photos of the new 2020 S1000RR. TT veteran Michael Rutter was supposed to be on the bike for the first time, in addition to his Superbike and Mugen Electric.

2020 BMW S1000RR in the morning sun.

There are only five of the new RR’s on the Island. Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop each have their Superbike and Supersport and then there is this one. Furnished courtesy of BMW Motorrad UK to Performance Bike Magazine. This is the M-Sport model, just as it came out of the crate.

Performance Bike Magazine had arranged with Michael Rutter, the TT Officials and Motorrad UK to take the bike out for a test lap on the Mountain course, immediately after the conclusion of the Monday’s official practice session.

As the side car practice ended at 8:50 PM, Michael Rutter got on to the new 2020 RR for the very first time.

Michael Rutter on his first ride of the new 2020 S1000RR flying over Ballagary

I have only heard two bits of detail from his first ride:

  • He absolutely loved it; and
  • He hit 192 mph.

Not bad for the first time on the bike!

More to follow tomorrow.

The Isle of Man Roars to Life

by competitiveimage

The 2019 Isle of Man TT began as I am sure so many others have done over the last 110 years, in the rain. The roads were scheduled to be closed at 6:00 PM on Saturday and with the on and off rain throughout the day, everyone was wondering if there would be fast bikes on the roads tonight and how long they would be out until the conditions changed again.  

At about 4:00 it was official, the first day of practice was canceled and it felt like there was a collective sigh of relief and the teams quietly went back to settling in and getting ready.

May / June weather on the Isle of Man always has a good probability of rain and as such, the practice and race schedules have contingencies build it.  Practice would be Sunday at 1:30 and even with a delay until 2:40, the island suddenly roared to life.

Solo and Sidecar Newcomers we first out on the course for a sighting lap and then followed by Super Sports and Lightweights.

Newcomers wear orange bibs in the practice sessions.
Riders line up for Practice Session #1, for Super Sports and Lightweights.
Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston relaxes while getting ready for the sessions to start.
Michael Dunlop flies through on a hot lap on his Honda 600.

One more day to wait before the big bikes come out onto the course.

Welcome to my new blog!

by competitiveimage

The most recent entries in my Competitive Image blog were from the 2017 Isle of Man TT and now as I prepare for the 2019 TT, it is time to get started once again.

Yes, I had the best of intentions of doing more posts earlier, but it always seemed like – I just have to clear a few things off of my desk, get some quiet time and think for a bit. Now, two years later I have cleared a few things away, which have been replaced by stacks of other things and my quiet time is all too often followed by a nap.

One of the big changes for 2019 is that I have become a BMW Motorrad USA Approved Presenter.  Although I could have never dreamt this when I first arrived at the TT in 2017, I now travel to BMW Motorrad Dealers around the US and present a 90-minute multi-media presentation entitled The TT Experience. 

Lots of race images, stories from my interviews with top riders and a behind the scenes look at the oldest, fastest and most dangerous motorcycle race in the world.  I hope this shot gets your attention and I can continue to share images and stories that make you feel like you are in the action and on the course at the TT.

Having said that, the odds are that if you are looking at my blog you have already been to one of my presentations and signed up to be kept informed.   

There will be lots more to follow – I PROMISE! Instead of waiting to do a long blog post and letting my procrastination take over, I will likely have shorter posts with a couple of quick photos to give you a daily idea of what life is like at the TT.

I will also be starting a YouTube channel to host interviews, I am planning with some of the top riders

For now, just a short introduction and a few photos and a caveat. As you might be able to tell by the blog name MAKE LIFE A RIDE it will be both TT and BMW Centric.

I hope you enjoy it and pass it on to friends with similar interests.

Hope to see you on the road.

Paul