Tragedy overshadows McGuinness victory in Senior Classic TT.
Saturday August 24th brought us warm sunshine; a slight breeze and dry roads. The schedule was packed and began with practice for all classes except for the Senior Classic and Lightweight Classic machines scheduled to race today. The practice was very well attended; with the main talking point being Nathan Harrison’s lap in the Junior MGP at 120.674mph that put him top of the leader board. Stephen Parsons also lapped at over 120mph; this class is shaping up to give us some very close racing next week.
Once this was over we moved onto the first race of the day; the Bennett’s Senior Classic TT. John McGuinness led the field away; followed by Stefano Bonetti who was promoted to number 2 to replace the injured Dean Harrison. These two set a hot pace; McGuinness led 6s from Bonetti at Glen Helen with Jamie Coward third. The lead was 7s at Ballaugh; with Bonetti 14s ahead of Coward. McGuinness and Saiger had just passed our vantage at White Gates in Ramsey when the dreaded red flag appeared. It was announced shortly afterwards that it was due to an incident at Ballaugh.
The riders out on the course were eventually brought back to the Grandstand to prepare for a restart over 3 laps rather than the original 4 laps distance. The Lightweight was similarly to be reduced to 3 laps. The second running saw McGuinness lead by 6s at Glen Helen from Bonetti; with Maria Costello, completing a Paton clean sweep, 6s behind Bonetti. Coward, Alan Oversby and Derek Sheils filled out the early leader board. McGuinness eased away from Bonetti; the lead was 9s at Ballaugh and 11s as they swept right and then left through our new position at Parliament Square. Costello was third; but just 1.5s ahead of Coward; who had a 9s advantage over Sheils. McGuinness completed the first lap at 111.679mph to lead by 17.28s from Bonetti (110.114mph); with Costello third 24.7s down on Bonetti. Coward was 0.978s behind Costello in 4th; Alan Oversby was 5th and Michael Rutter was 6th and none the worse from tipping off at Sarah’s in the earlier practice.
Stefano Bonetti on his way to his first podium finish.
McGuinness had stretched his lead to 20s at Glen Helen; Bonetti was similarly pulling away from Costello who was now 28s further back. Coward was 2.9s down on Costello; but he had cut that to 0.6s at Ballaugh.
Maria Costello.
As the gorgeous sounding Patons charged through Ramsey to face the mountain climb for the second time, McGuinness led by 21s. Bonetti almost matched McGuinness on the mountain climb; behind him Coward had moved ahead of Costello. A lap at 111.590mph gave McGuinness a lead of 24.28s as he charged towards Bray Hill for the final time. Bonetti lapped at 110.952mph, Coward at 109.145mph and Costello at 108.302mph. Derek Sheils relinquished his 6th place; albeit briefly; when he had to enter the pits for a fuel top up.
Jamie Coward at Parliament Square.
McGuinness was in total control and ran at Bonetti’s pace for the final lap to come home the victor by 27.8s from Bonetti; who secured his first Mountain Course podium finish. For Team Winfield it was their fourth straight victory in the race. Jamie Coward secured 3rd; he was 13.1s ahead of Costello. Oversby and Sheils completed the final leader board.
Bennett’s Senior Classic TT
- John McGuinness Winfield Paton 111.236mph
- Stefano Bonetti Speed Motor Paton 110.398mph
- Jamie Coward Craven Manx Norton 108.527mph
- Maria Costello Beugger Paton 108.150mph
- Alan Oversby Ireland Honda 107.368mph
- Derek Sheils Greenall Honda 105.833mph
The sad news that Chris Swallow lost his life in the accident at Ballaugh has been released officially by the Manx Motor Cycle Club their statement is posted below. Chris was one of the gentlemen of the paddock; always welcoming and also a very fine rider; he will be very much missed by all who had the honour of knowing him. The circumstances of the tragic accident will be investigated fully by the organisers and the police. We join the MMCC in offering our condolences to Chris’s family.
STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MANX MOTOR CYCLE CLUB
The Manx Motor Cycle Club regrets to confirm that Chris Swallow, 37, from Wellington, New Zealand died today following an accident during the Classic TT Races on the Isle of Man. The incident occurred at Ballaugh Bridge during the Senior Classic TT Race.
Chris was an experienced competitor. He made his debut in the 2007 Manx Grand Prix and was a regular competitor in the Classic TT Races. He achieved two runner-up places in the 2012 Classic Manx Grand Prix – the 350cc and 500cc Races – and was fourth in last year’s Senior Classic TT Race.
The Manx Motor Cycle Club wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Chris’s family including his father Bill and his wife Jen and children.
