James puts in good showing in maiden Isle of Man appearance

James Ford, from Whaley Bridge, was amongst the many thousands making their annual pilgrimage across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man TT recently.
James Ford in action at The Gooseneck during the 2013 Isle of Man Formula Classic TT Race.James Ford in action at The Gooseneck during the 2013 Isle of Man Formula Classic TT Race.
James Ford in action at The Gooseneck during the 2013 Isle of Man Formula Classic TT Race.

However James was competing in the event for the first time and not merely spectating.

Accompanied by his mentor Dave Ashton of Chinley, himself a previous MGP winner, James took part in two events over the weekend.

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Ford’s first outing was as an entry in the Blue Riband of the Classic Racing, the TT Formula1 race.

Michael Dunlop won the race by a clear distance whilst James, riding on a 1991 ZXR 750 Kawasaki, finished a creditable 19th.

His second race was to be the Newcomers race in the Manx Grand Prix, when he finished a highly-respectable fifth place.

The first three riders had much more experience on that type of bike.

Sadly the unpredictable Manx weather meant that the Super twins race was red flagged, restarted and run over two laps. James finished 33rd proudly clutching his finisher’s medal.