THACKLEY TRUMPIT JULY 2014 HARRISON'S TT WINS

The Harrison’s Take the Isle of Man TT by STORM

It’s been a fantastic Isle of Man TT for Idle road racing family The Harrison’s. Father Conrad competing in the sidecar event and sons Dean and Adrian on solo machines.
After Conrad’s fantastic maiden victory in sidecar 1 the stage was set for an epic week on the island. In the previous race to sidecar 1, Dean competing on his RC Express racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki  finished 8th in the Superbike race completing the mountain course in 01:47:39.797 at an average speed of 126.160mph
Monday saw the Harrison brothers out in the Monster Supersport TT for the 600cc machines. Dean riding the Mar-Train Yamaha R6 gave an impressive performance against strong opposition by keeping fourth place throughout the race completing the course in 01:13:24.646 at an average speed of 123.350mph to finish only thirty seconds behind winner Gary Johnson on the Smiths Triumph. Adrian competing in his second TT on his Printing Roller Services (PRS) Honda brought the bike home in 51st position completing the course in 01:20:11.441 at an average speed of 112.921mph .
Tuesday was the RL360 Superstock race. This is for bikes that can be bought by you and me from a dealer and with a few limited modifications you can go racing. These machines are so good that they almost match the performance of the dedicated Superbike around the Island course.  An absolutely stunning performance on his RC Express racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki, Dean quickly powered the bike into second place on the first lap which he held to the finish. This was Dean’s first podium of the week completing the course in 01:11:30.882 at an average speed of 126.620mph. Twenty seconds behind winner Michael Dunlop on the BMW.
Wednesday was the second Monster Supersport race. Again Dean on his Mar-Train Yamaha R6 got off to a flying start to hold fourth place completing the course in 01:13:03.459 at an average speed of 123.946mph    finishing 40 seconds behind winner Michael Dunlop on the Honda. Adrian made a significant improvement on his first race finishing 45th completing the course in 01:19:15.639 at an average speed of 114.246mph over a minute quicker than his previous race.
Thursday was the Sure Sidecar TT 2 race Conrad and Mike Aylott on their PRS Shelbourne Honda were hoping to make it a double win. Early leaders John Holden and Andy Winkle suffered engine problems which allowed victory to Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance with Conrad and Mike cruising to second place and overall victory in the Sure Sidecar TT.
Friday the final day of this year’s TT with two races The Bikenation Lightweight TT for twin cylinder 650cc machines and The PokerStars Senior TT which is an open class up to 1000cc.
In the first race Dean blasted off down the Glencrutchery Road to Bray Hill on his RC Express racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki while his main rival Ivan Lintin retired on the approach to Union Mills. By the time he reached Ballacraine he was in the lead which he held to the finish. Securing Dean his maiden TT win in a time of 57:49.129 minutes at an average speed of 117.460mph, 13 seconds clear of his nearest rival James Hillier also on a Kawasaki. Adrian, on his PRS Kawasaki finished a very impressive 15th completing the course in 01:01:14.732 at an average speed of 110.888mph to earn a Bronze Replica Trophy.
The final race of the week was the PokerStars Senior TT. This was the only race in which a Harrison did not finish. Dean on his RC Express racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki was holding a strong 5th place until the third lap when machine problems forced him to retire at Sulby a disappointing end to a record breaking week at the Isle of Man TT as Conrad and Dean are the only father and son to win separate events in a single year.
I was listening to the Lightweight race at home on Manx radio. My heart was racing willing Dean on to the win.
Sitting contemplating a fantastic victory, I started thinking about Sam Harrison and how she got through this week, both sons and a husband competing, she must have nerves of steel.