We’re now trying to sort out plans for 2024, which always comes around quicker than we expect! As usual, the team will be looking to do the roads…. the main event of the year for Real Racing is the TT, also the Southern 100, but we plan to contest the FSRA British Championship once again with Ben Binns in the chair for our third season together. We are hoping that Matthew Rostron will be on board for the roads again as he and Wayne have a great bond on the outfit and know what each needs to do to get great results at the TT, the Southern 100 and any other circuits the duo should want to enter. Matthew and Lisa have had an extremely exciting year, not only have they welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world, Reggie Rostron, but they have also got engaged!!! Such fantastic news and we wish you both all the love and best wishes for your future together!
There is quite a huge change for the outfit as we will be upgrading our engines, something we feel is essential to be more competitive. We have been using some of the oldest engines in the modern F2 paddock and although they have proved to be strong, (except for 2022!) we feel the later engines will be much more of a challenge for the podiums, but more so for the confidence to get back to a decent pace. We have a great engine builder on board and with TT rules possibly changing to standard next year, we have more options in place.
The end of the British Championship finished with the team in very solid 5th place, finishing all of the races we started, which is the total opposite to 2022 and we are so pleased to end on a positive! For those that don’t know what happened last season, the top and bottom of it was an electrical problem which was, in effect, discovered in a sub section of the whole electrical system that runs the bike. It’s quite complicated to find and sort out as you try everything and this was one area that wasn’t covered. We were totally beaten by it last year, and to be honest, we were so close to throwing the towel in, but thankfully we had so much support from so many people, which gave us the determination to continue.
Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone of our sponsors and supporters, friends and family……
Ted, Doc, John Fisher, Steve Caffyn, Boris, Horst, Dirty Weekender, Saunders Metals, Mike Guinness, Pete Ireland, Clive Wadey, Nitron, Pete Alton, all of the 110 CLUB…. I will be announcing the winner of the end of season prize before Christmas! To the many people behind the scenes, Phil, John, Helen, Nikki, Miley, Kieran, Lisa, Barry, Pauline, Trevor and all the Photographers, Neil Jones, Mike Yiend, Tracy, Brian, the mad leprechaun, Manx photos….. the list goes on……. You support so many teams and we thank you.
The FSRA awards evening was an absolute blast this year, Ben joined us from the Island, Phil came for the first time, he is also now voted in as the scruteneer for the championship 2024 as John Smith is retiring, although we all know he won’t be able to keep away, which we’re happy about! The paddock wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t show up!
Both Wayne and Ben both were awarded trophies for their achievements and dedication through the 2023 FSRA Season, very honoured and thank you to the committee for their vote, hard work and continuing support for all the teams. We look forward to another positive season.
