Steve landing at Ballagh Bridge, Steve is no stranger to riding like this after competing in the UAE Desert challenge for the past ten years

Racers Blog direct from the paddock – Sept 1st – Isle of Man- Day 14

An early start for all today as we had the Junior race today, about 100 bikes all racing against the clock. The bike past scrutineering again with no issues and I had the pleasure of Dara’s company in the pits as Jason and Jen were out playing photographer at Ballaugh bridge.  Steve got away with no issues (now number 80) and his outing lap was a 105.073 mph average before the red flag was raised and the race was stopped.

Race bike is now # 80 instead of 8

As the TT circuit is such a long circuit most riders take phones with them just so their in contact and within minutes we had the call from Steve saying he was ok but had passed an accident which had looked quite bad.
The riders started to return to the pits under the wing of the traveling marshals and there was an announcement that the racing would be suspended indefinitely and there would be further updates at 1pm.

At 1.05pm there was announcement that the Junior race was complete as the first 8 riders had passed the 50% mark.  Our boy Steve had started 80th and finished 57th over all so a good result all said. Wag was on a flyer and was in 9th place at the red flag but as the race results went back to the first lap he finished 13th with a 113.433 mph average.   We have since heard that there was 2 fatalities that had caused the red flag, one of which was Jamie who was a newcomer with Wag last year and was next door to us in the paddock.  Unfortunately fatalities are not uncommon on the TT circuit, it compounds the fact that the level of concentration required is extreme for this kind of racing.  We all here extend our deepest sympathy to both the riders families.   Lets hope that the Senior race on Friday goes smoother.

Jason’s advice for the day: Follow the nose.

STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MANX MOTORCYCLE CLUB

The Manx Motorcycle Club, organisers of the Manx Grand Prix, regret to announce the death of a second rider at today’s Manx Grand Prix. Both riders were involved in a racing accident at Alpine Cottage on the second lap of the Junior race shortly before 11am. The race was later abandoned.

Chris Bradshaw, 39, a Traffic Police Officer from Tamworth in Birmingham was taken to Nobles Hospital by airmed but was declared dead at the Hospital. Chris first competed on the Isle of Man in 2004 and finished 37th in last year’s Senior MGP race.

James Adam, 28, a serving officer in the Royal Navy, from Prestwick in Scotland who was also involved in the incident was attended to by the air med team but was declared dead at the scene. James first competed on the Isle of Man in 2009, finishing 9th in the Newcomers race and 27th in the Senior MGP.

The next of kin of both families have been informed. The Manx Motorcycle club extends their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of both men.

The incident is now being investigated by the Isle of Man Constabulary who are preparing a report for the Coroner of Inquests.

(Ed- Deepest condolences to friends and families  from everyone here, at Circuitprodigital – very sad news -indeed)

To read the complete blog report click here