McGurk on Manx mission

EASY RIDER: Chadderton’s Phil McGurk has three chances of success at the Manx Grand Prix Festival.

MANX GP: PHIL McGurk admits it will be hard to top last year’s dream Manx Grand Prix victory — but that won’t stop the Chadderton motorcyclist from trying.

The 42-year-old took to the start line for today’s Junior race full of confidence after winning the Ultra-Lightweight event last year, while he is also in action in the Supertwin on Wednesday and Classic Superbike on Friday.

That victory was nine years in the making and was on a bike he had built from scratch, adding to the elation after seeing all his hard work pay dividends.

McGurk also finished second in the Post Classic Junior race 12 months ago, but this year the Isle of Man course has been less welcoming with his bike’s engine blowing up on the first day of practice.

You could excuse McGurk, who is director at Spring Court Auto and Motorcycle Centre in Rochdale, for thinking this year just isn’t going to be his, but he has refused to throw in the towel.

“Last year was just a dream year for me and it started off well by finishing second in the Post Classic and I was delighted after that, but to win the Ultra-Lightweight just topped it off,” said McGurk, whose dad Tony competed in the Isle of Man TT.

“The thing that made it all the more special was that I had built that bike up myself, even things like the chassis, and to win on something home grown is a real achievement.

“The next tough thing will be to better that and this is a new year and I haven’t had much luck yet really as the motor blew up on my new 650cc bike on my first practice lap.

“This means I am behind a few of the other guys already, but I have a lot of confidence in this bike and I know it can be right up there if we can sort out the problems.”


THE 2011 Manx Grand Prix Festival features the Manx Classic and Two Day Trial, The VMCC Rally’s and Festival of Jurby and the Manx Grand Prix Races. For more information go to www.mgpfestival.com or www.visitisleofman.com