IOM TT: Another impressive showing by newcomer McCormack in the Isle of Man TT Superstock race.
June 7, 2010 by Darren Healy
Filed under Isle of Man TT
County Waterford native Brian “Big Mac” McCormack earns a replica in only his second race over the Mountain Course in the Royal London 360 Superstock TT race.
After a superb showing in Saturday’s Superbike bike race that saw McCormack finish a highly creditable 40th with a personal best lap of 119.838mph, the Waterford native was confident going into Monday’s Superstock race that he could go quicker with the added experience of a race under his belt and with the opposition having less of a power advantage over him.
On lap one, the Tramore man rode steadily to allow the hard rear tyre to heat up but still set a lap of 116.81mph which was slightly quicker than his opening lap in Saturday’s Superbike contest and once again he crossed the line slightly behind fellow Irish newcomer Stephen Thompson who was 1mph quicker over the lap and 3 places ahead in 42nd.
On lap two the sector times were marginally better than Saturday;s second lap but once again the TAG Racing Honda was running low on fuel as McCormack crossed the beam in 39th place with a lap of 118.318mph. Unfortunately ‘Big Mac’ over shot his pit box costing himself valuable time before the efficient TAG crew had him fuelled up and ready to go again.
With his hard rear tyre now coming to him, McCormack set his fastest out lap of the week so far with a speed of 113.731mph which left him sitting two places ahead of Thompson in 35th as they headed back towards Glen Helen on their last lap.
Disaster nearly struck for the ex ISB Champion however as just as he entered Ramsey the fuel light lit up on the TAG Racing machine with two thirds of the lap still remaining. McCormack was forced to constantly short shift the gears to stop the bike cutting out as he crossed the mountain section but he still managed to set his fastest times in every sector to cross the line in 34th position, recording a lap speed of 120.274mph with Thompson in 35th also joining the 120mph club albeit 0.2mph slower. David Johnson was once again first newcomer home finishing 28th overall with BSB regular Hudson Kennaugh second in 33rd position.
McCormack:
“I am absolutely over the moon for the whole team, before we landed on the Island if anyone had said to me that I would set a lap of 120mph and get a replica, I would have bitten their hand off.
I thought I had blown it though in the pits when I overshot but luckily I was able to make the time up on the last two laps, but when I saw the fuel light come on just as I entered Ramsey I feared the worst. In all the right hand corners the bike spluttered as the fuel moved away from the pump but I managed to keep it going thankfully and to set my best lap with all this happening was brilliant. The replica is just reward for all the TAG Racing team who have worked so hard all week.
We will fit the Superbike engine in the frame for Friday’s Senior race and see if we can go a little quicker but for now I am just delighted for everyone who has supported the team and I over the years. I’d like to say a special thanks to Tom ‘Tozzi’ Fitzsimons for the bikes and all the support, Andy Grimshaw and all the crew for their hard work and Arai, Richa and TCX for keeping me safe.”
Words by Aidan Lynam, Magnets Media (C)
Photograph courtesy of Baylon McCaughey.
