Ian Mackman Racing

Practice three started slightly cloudy but dry. I decided that starting the session on my ZX10, James pushed the bike at lightning speed to the line and got me away with the front runners again. This is a big help, following these guys helps massively. Some changes to the rear suspension damping had again made big improvements to the bike. It was much more stable over the bumps which was refreshing after the instability issues on the first night. Finally I felt like I could push the bike without worrying that it was going to break into a tank slapper. On my second lap Ian Hutchinson passed me  around the Gooseneck and I managed to keep him within a few seconds by the time we crossed the finish line. I was so pleased to find that I’d set my best lap of the week 124.3mph, which is only a couple of seconds slower than my personal best. There is still more to come from both the bike and I, both laps we’re far from perfect on my part!!

 
I then got my earplugs in and went out on the Norton. A real privilege and it feels like the world is watching as I line up on the start line. The bike was an improvement on last night although its first lap was a real shakedown, now I was trying to push, it was highlighted that the rear shock was a bit soft. I added some damping after the lap and went back out. Again an improvement but there is no substitute for the correct rear spring. We’ll get this sorted for the next practice and see what we’ve got. So far I think we are on target to qualify for the race which is the goal. I’ll do my best and thanks to everyone supporting the project.

Mackers

Some photos of Ian as he prepares to take the Norton out in Tuesday’s practice session – all photos by (and copyright) John Coldwell.

Second night of practice went well. I went out first on the ZX10 –  a small ride height change has made an improvement to the bike and we are going in the right direction. Every lap I am becoming more confident with the bike. It does still need some more stability over the bumps but we can sort it! A good single lap with a minor clutch problem saw me 11th overall just over 121mph. Happy with that knowing that there are more changes I can make to improve the feel of the bike.

I then jumped onto the Norton for its first lap. The plan was to get a lap in without going nuts and then let the technicians inspect the bike ready for tomorrow. The bike is surprisingly good. There are plenty of things to change but I’ve an idea on which way we need to go with it and will try this for tomorrow night. I reckon the exhaust is loud enough to be heard on the British mainland too! The first completed Norton qualifying lap for 20 years by Mackers!! Something for the scrap book I reckon.

I also managed a couple of laps on the ZX6. Finding my way around on the small bike, it was a pleasure to ride and handling well. I posted a best time nearing 116mph and was happy with that for its first night out.

All is looking well so far except that I appear to have lost my voice, probably due to shouting over the Norton’s exhaust noise!!!

I’ll keep you informed.

Mackers.

A steady start for me in the first night of practice. Plans were changing right up to the last minute. The Norton had some teething issues just before we left for the Isle of Man and these were still being sorted, despite a massive effort from the Norton team, up until the practice started.

I decided to run my XX10 first as it is the bike that I know the best. With a different refreshed, but same spec, motor fitted I lined up on the road first next to Michael Dunlop and promptly stalled as the marshal tapped my shoulder – what a tit!! The clutch set up of this engine is hugely different to my Thundersport motor and it caught me out, this is now top of my list of things to sort out. Eventually on my way it was quite clear that the chassis was a mile off! The bike was shaking it’s head everywhere to the point I was holding on whilst it took me for a ride!

I came in after the first lap and lengthened the wheelbase also, with advice from Richard of Maxton suspension, made some changes to add more weight to the front end. Second lap and the bike was a clear improvement. Still weaving and shaking in the fast sections but it was a definite step in the right direction. Flat out in top gear along Sulby straight I had to sit up into the wind and back out of the throttle as the bars were flapping that hard, not pleasant. Some more adjustments at the end of the lap and the bike was transformed. I finally began to trust that it wasn’t going to suddenly try and break loose into a huge tank slapper. This made the third lap much more enjoyable. I got held up plenty and generally took my time for the whole night so no lap records were broken.

Finding my way back around the circuit and correcting chassis problems were my main goals which I think were achieved. Some more changes and laps Tuesday and I think the bike will be somewhere near. I should also get a run out on the Norton, which we only narrowly missed getting an outing on Monday. Anyway that’s pretty much the news of night one, I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes.

Mackers

From a Team Hairy Snid Spokesman:

“The Team Hairy Snid Racing Pre-TT Fundraiser was hosted by our sponsors – Lancaster Brewery on Friday night and the evening was a resounding success! The Brewery visitor centre was packed with Mackers, Team Hairy Snid and real ale fans.

Local band Ulpha590 rocked the evening whilst the guests took advantage of the FREE 5 cask ales and ciders generously provided by brewery MD Matt Jackson, which were compimented by steak and Lancaster Brewery ale pie.

Ian was on hand with the Team Hairy Snid Racing ZX-6R Supersport TT bike, while he talked to his fans about this year’s TT campaign and the Norton V4 Senior bike.

A prize raffle was held in aid of The Rob Vine fund with some fantastic prizes generously donated by many motorcycle industry companies. Ian had the honour of drawing the prize tickets, one of the top prizes being an official team shirt donated by Norton which he signed for the lucky winner.

All in all a very enjoyable night was had by all, with a fantastic amount raised for charity. A presentation will be made to the fund during TT race week.”

TT stalwart Ian Mackman has secured a works ride with legendary British manufacturer Norton. The service manager at Bill Smith Motors of Boughton will compete in the blue riband Senior TT in June, racing a prototype machine designed and built at Norton’s Donington factory.

Since his debut at the TT in 2007, Ian has consistently impressed with excellent results on bikes that he has sourced and prepared himself, culminating in him winning the TT Privateer’s Championship in 2011. He has twice taken the Joe Craig Trophy awarded to a British rider with the best result on a British machine.

Norton have a rich TT heritage that began with victory in the inaugural TT in 1907 and have provided winning machines for riders such as Jimmie Guthrie, Geoff Duke and Mike Hailwood. Their black and gold JPS sponsored machines of the 1980s are among the iconic images of motorbike racing.

In the 1992 Senior TT, Norton mounted Steve Hislop engaged in a epic battle with rival Carl Fogarty, eventually taking the honours in a race that has gone down in the event’s history as the most thrilling ever. An ill fated attempt in 2009 to race a rotary engined Norton has been the only appearance of the famous marque at the TT since then.

Now with a three year plan that aims to see a podium placing in 2014, Norton CEO Stuart Garner explains that 32 year old Ian was the ideal candidate to join the team:

“We wanted a solid rider with experience who could help us build this project and develop it. Ian is a proven TT rider and we know he is as committed to this as we are. He is a great guy and hugely passionate.”

Ian’s excitement for the project is evident. He says:

“This is a fantastic opportunity and not many people can say they’ve raced a factory based Norton – they are the elite. It’s great to be there at the start of a three year plan and it’s very exciting to have a bike that no one else has got. For me personally to secure this ride at a time when the TT is on a high and there aren’t enough factory seats to go around is a real achievement.”

A programme of testing is underway in readiness for the gruelling 6 laps of the 37 ¾ mile Mountain Course. The bike has been prepared to the highest possible specification, with many of the components machined ‘in house’ at the Norton factory. However, both Norton and Ian are keen to stress their realistic expectations for this year, and say just finishing the race is the top priority.

Ian will also be contesting the other classes at this year’s TT races in his more familiar guise as a privateer with a Kemtile Hygienic Flooring sponsored Kawasaki ZX10, and ZX6 provided by Team Hairy Snid and Lancaster Brewery.

© Jude Freckelton