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Death of Louis O’Regan casts a pall over Manx
Grand Prix.
in tandem with Ian Hutchinson. Just after they had
passed through; we had a moment of drama. The
engine on Lee Johnston’s RC45 had a blow up;
throwing out clouds of smoke as Lee slowed the
machine before parking it on the garage forecourt
150m down the road. The marshals reacted instantly
to warn approaching riders of the oil that had been left
on the track by the ailing machine. Shortly afterwards,
the RC45 of Nathan Harrison came through; looking
and sounding superb.
t is with great sadness that we bring the news that in
this afternoon’s practice for the Senior Manx Grand The first of the Senior MGP riders to reach us was
IPrix; Louis O’Regan of Didcot; lost his life in an Jamie Williams on the NCE Racing Honda. Jamie later
accident at Kate’s Cottage. He was 43 years of age had an accident at Kate’s Cottage in which he received
and an experienced competitor in the Manx Grand shoulder and hip injuries. The accident necessitated
Prix; having made his debut in 2013. He achieved his the use of the red flag to allow debris to be cleared from
fastest lap of 114.70mph in 2019. We join the the track. This meant that no Senior MGP rider and
organizers in sending our condolences to his partner quiet a few Superbike riders did not complete the lap.
Sarah; his family and many friends.
After a delay of 40 minutes, the next session for the
Sunday afternoon brought us warm sunshine; with just Classic Senior, Classic Junior; MGP Junior and
a few high clouds drifting past on the light north- Lightweight machines began. Leading on the road
westerly breeze. The roads were dry from Ramsey was Jamie Coward on the Craven Manx; he had John
through to our vantage point for the session; Douglas McGuinness, on his reserve Paton machine, 5 metres
Road Corner, Kirk Michael. There were a good number behind. Stuart Hall was next on his Lightweight
of spectators gathered through the village to watch the Yamaha. The session was very busy; there were no
action unfold. real moments in Kirk Michael; just a couple who went
wide onto the cement dust, put onto the oil dropped by
After a 15 minute delay, the session began with the Johnston’s machine, as they passed the school. It was
escorted, speed controlled lap for the newcomers to good to see Davo Johnson having his first outing on a
the course. When you see this lap, you always wonder classic single; in this case a Craven Manx. Lee
if; from their midst a new star is going to rise; such as Johnston had more luck this time; going well on his
Joe Yeardsley last year; or TT winners such as Michael Lightweight Reed Honda. Also noted was returning
Dunlop; Ian Hutchinson; Steve Hislop, Carl Fogarty or former race winner Glen English. On lap 2
Phil Read. The first batches were led by TT star Craig McGuinness led Coward by 50 metres. The session
Neve and TT winner Richard Quayle. Once this lap continued to be busy providing good viewing for the
had been completed it was time for the MGP Senior spectators; Joe Yeardsley was neat and fast as he
and the Classic Superbike classes to take to the track. hustled the Flitwick Enfield through the village, as was
team mate Adam McLean and Mike Browne on the
First to reach us was Brian McCormack on the Eureka Norton.
Greenall Kawasaki; then it was last year’s Senior MGP
winner; Joe Yeardsley, on his Mistral Kawasaki. Mike Once their time had elapsed, it was time for the Senior
Browne was next; he was having his first lap on the MGP and Classic Superbike machines to return to the
lovely 916 Key Ducati. Michael Dunlop was not so track. First to reach us in this was Rob Hodson; closely
lucky with his Ducati; a couple of miles being all that it followed by Dom Herbertson, Michael Rutter and
covered before expiring. Derek Sheils was next; then it Derek Sheils. First of the Senior riders to reach us was
was Rob Hodson who proved to be the fastest man on race favourite Daniel Ingham (Castings Technology
the day with a best lap of 123.453mph on his Greenall Yamaha); next was Michael Gahan. We were again
Kawasaki. The action then became more frenetic as treated to a busy session. Then, shortly after the last of
the riders sought to take maximum advantage of the the riders had gone past, the red flag was once again
favourable conditions. Michael Rutter was circulating displayed. The reason for this was the tragic accident
involving Louis O’Regan. LHR
News
