1996 - My first race was at Nutts Corner on a brand new Honda CBR600 . Hadn’t a clue
about the so called “ Regal 600 Standard Class” ha ha!! Suspension wasn’t changed,
no wiring looms, just totally standard. Missed the first practice as I couldn’t
get the bike to go...... But Rodney McCurdy sorted it out - the side stand wire wasn’t
looped.
My first ever road race was the Mid Antrim 150 where I think I finished about 8th
and had a great race with none other than Phil Archer. Another familiar face Stephen
“ Cargo “ Carr also had his first road race at the same time.
1999 - Won the Clubmans short circuit championship and bought my best ever bike which
was Michael Swann’s Kawasaki ZXR750. Won the “ last race of the millennium “ at
the closed to club meeting at Aghadowey, beating Michael into second place in a fantastic
race. Seeing the crowd at “ shithouse corner “ on the last lap, willing me on to
beat Swanny, was amazing.
2000/2001 - John Bell of Crossgar Poultry gave me my first sponsored bike and I did
a full season on both the roads and short circuits. I also made my first trip to
compete over the Mountain Circuit on the Isle of Man , coming 3rd in the Manx Grand
Prix Newcomers behind good friend Seamus Greene who won.
2002 - Saw me racing on a Colin Moore owned Suzuki 1000, putting in some competitive
results and finishing 4th in the Senior Road Race Championship, behind Archibald,Britton
and Farquhar - all on works bikes.
2004 - Saw Trevor Lindsay join the team and he provided me with a Honda Fireblade
to race, followed by an R6 in 2006 and an R1 in 2007, along with the bikes I have
funded myself.
2008 - Injury at the Southern 100 cut short most of the season ( and totalled a
new bike, typically the most expensive one I’ve ever bought! ) but the start of the
season saw some really good results for me, including a lap of the TT at nearly 124MPH
.
Even with a curtailed season I managed to finish 8th in the MCUI Supersport Championship
and 11th in the Open Championship - not bad considering I only competed in two rounds
!
