The Isle of Man TT is not for everyone. Spectators or competitors alike. Plenty of racers have publicly trashed the TT and have sworn to never be any part of it. It is dangerous and insanely hairy. Yet it still remains an icon of motorcycle roadracing, and the pinnacle of real roads motorcycle racing throughout the world.
The TT is the Everest of motorcycling: An impossible concept to most people, and a dream to some. It is only a reality to those few people who are willing to accept the risks and make the sacrifices required to become a part of its legend. Those brave few hold back their fears, and do whatever it takes to get on a racing motorcycle and go as fast as they possibly can for 37.73 miles.
The inaugural TTXGP is now in the books. Ten teams accepted the challenge made 9 months ago by Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP. They fast-tracked their concepts and technology and made them a reality in just a few months. Just to get to the island with a man and a machine ready for this significant race in such a short amount of time is truly amazing.
Team Agni came out on top in the Pro class and now boasts the fastest time and average speed ever recorded on the Isle of Man TT circuit for a zero carbon racing motorcycle. 25:50:53 minutes, and 87.434 mph is now the target for anyone intending to compete at the second TTXGP in June of 2010.
This is a landmark feat for a little known Anglo-Indian company which has been concentrating on electric motor design for over 20 years. Agni's Cedric Lynch, Arvind Rabadia, and Hasmuk Rabadia have made their mark and deserve the accolades. The ultimate reward for the dedication and effort of this team has come to fruition and rightfully put Agni in the spotlight.
The spot-on and consistent riding of Rob Barber pushed the Agni machine to the finish line over three minutes ahead of their nearest rival, Team XXL of Germany. Visit the TTXGP blog for a great video interview with the racers that really captures the excitement of the win and requisite podium celebration: Here
Triumph and tragedy always seem to go hand-in-hand at the Isle of Man TT. The TTXGP was certainly not immune to the dark shadow of sadness that the death of a competitor brings. In awful contrast to the TTXGP podium celebration which saw TORK rider John Crellin celebrate the Indian team’s sweet third place in the TTXGP Open Class; the entire TT was susequently mourning his death on lap 5 of the Senior race a few hours later.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of racer John Crellin. John was an Engineer, motorcycle racer, and mountaineer. He never made it to Everest's summit (he made his third attempt in May) but he did climb the other six highest peaks in the world. He was a man who seems to have never had any concept of the impossible. We can all be assured that he lived exactly how he wanted to live, and he died doing exactly what he loved to be doing. In John’s own words, we hope that he has found peace in his “Final Pit Stop”.
For links to the rich life of John Crellin go to:
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/cq/CQ-John-Crellin.5059985.jp
http://www.manxfellrunners.org/index.php/2009/06/14/a-tribute-to-john-crellin/
http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=36527
Photo: John Crellin via MCN
Part 2 of our TTXGP Review will focus on the rest of the TTXGP competitors and further analysis of the race.
The TT is the Everest of motorcycling: An impossible concept to most people, and a dream to some. It is only a reality to those few people who are willing to accept the risks and make the sacrifices required to become a part of its legend. Those brave few hold back their fears, and do whatever it takes to get on a racing motorcycle and go as fast as they possibly can for 37.73 miles.
The inaugural TTXGP is now in the books. Ten teams accepted the challenge made 9 months ago by Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP. They fast-tracked their concepts and technology and made them a reality in just a few months. Just to get to the island with a man and a machine ready for this significant race in such a short amount of time is truly amazing.
Team Agni came out on top in the Pro class and now boasts the fastest time and average speed ever recorded on the Isle of Man TT circuit for a zero carbon racing motorcycle. 25:50:53 minutes, and 87.434 mph is now the target for anyone intending to compete at the second TTXGP in June of 2010.
This is a landmark feat for a little known Anglo-Indian company which has been concentrating on electric motor design for over 20 years. Agni's Cedric Lynch, Arvind Rabadia, and Hasmuk Rabadia have made their mark and deserve the accolades. The ultimate reward for the dedication and effort of this team has come to fruition and rightfully put Agni in the spotlight.
The spot-on and consistent riding of Rob Barber pushed the Agni machine to the finish line over three minutes ahead of their nearest rival, Team XXL of Germany. Visit the TTXGP blog for a great video interview with the racers that really captures the excitement of the win and requisite podium celebration: Here
Triumph and tragedy always seem to go hand-in-hand at the Isle of Man TT. The TTXGP was certainly not immune to the dark shadow of sadness that the death of a competitor brings. In awful contrast to the TTXGP podium celebration which saw TORK rider John Crellin celebrate the Indian team’s sweet third place in the TTXGP Open Class; the entire TT was susequently mourning his death on lap 5 of the Senior race a few hours later.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of racer John Crellin. John was an Engineer, motorcycle racer, and mountaineer. He never made it to Everest's summit (he made his third attempt in May) but he did climb the other six highest peaks in the world. He was a man who seems to have never had any concept of the impossible. We can all be assured that he lived exactly how he wanted to live, and he died doing exactly what he loved to be doing. In John’s own words, we hope that he has found peace in his “Final Pit Stop”.
For links to the rich life of John Crellin go to:
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/cq/CQ-John-Crellin.5059985.jp
http://www.manxfellrunners.org/index.php/2009/06/14/a-tribute-to-john-crellin/
http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=36527
Photo: John Crellin via MCN
Part 2 of our TTXGP Review will focus on the rest of the TTXGP competitors and further analysis of the race.
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