In just under 2 weeks’ time, local Isle of Wight motorcycle road racer, Ryan Whitehall of Niton, will line up on the grid of the Armoy Road Races in Northern Ireland – 1 of the biggest Irish road race meetings on the calendar.
Having spent winter reconditioning the bike, obtaining sponsors and getting fit for the season ahead, Ryan first travelled to Northern Ireland for the first of the Irish Road Race meetings at Cookstown, County Tyrone and competed in 2 classes, Supersport and Supertwins.
Up against established names on the road racing scene, Ryan secured a 4th in the Supersport 600B race, 2nd in the OpenB race and a 9th in the Supertwins race – a brilliant result 1st time out this year.
Ryan then competed in the high-profile NW200 meeting on the Causeway coast in May, the biggest Northern Irish race meeting each year with a host of top names. Again Ryan showed his true ability in placing 12th in both the Supertwins races. A superb effort on a shoestring budget and valuable experience as he gets closer to the podium.
Following the Armoy meeting Ryan heads briefly back to the Isle of Wight where a range of merchandise and a bike display will be at the Chale Show and then to the Isle of Man having been successful in obtaining an entry to the Manx Grand Prix in August.
Ryan wishes to especially thank his sponsors; George Richards, MJG Grits, Berts Motorcycles, Hoonshine and Dave Death Motorcycles.
Just a shame he can’t race on his home soil.
What has happened ref IOW TT races, anyone know !!!
(Watch all the negative replys)
There are a couple of points.
Firstly well done to him and good luck in the future.
Secondly the roads here are a long way from racing standard, more like horse and cart standard.
Finally there are too many whining snowflakes here who protest about anything to do with bikes, they already lost the motocross world series, hate being overtaken by bikes, hate the noise of bikes, and hate the people who ride them. So it’s a loss for some of us not getting these events but a big gain for the hand wringing, miserable village idiots who can’t see the benefits long term. The Isle of Mann TT is a prime example of a lost opportunity for the Isle of Wight due to people like that, and that island does really well out of the event.
Well done Ryan. You are in a league of absolute legends and look forewards to seeing your rise to the top.