| Chris
Palmer
The Classic boys had another strong year of
racing on the roads with the centerpiece once again
coming at the Manx Grand Prix. Whilst some purists will
say the inclusion of modern day, professional racers
detracts from the spirit of the class, there can be
no doubt that they commit to the cause seriously and
bring an added dimension to the ‘clangers’.
Our ‘Classic Rider of the Year’ award goes
to none other than Chris Palmer who put in strong rides
each and every time he slung his leg across Fred Walmsley’s
Manx Norton, culminating in a brilliant win in the Senior
Classic Manx Grand Prix. After being forced to retire
from the 2005 Manx on the opening lap, he was keen to
redress the balance this time around and he started
with good intentions at the Pre-TT Classic Races held
at Billown.
Fresh from practicing on the Mountain Course aboard
his R1 Yamaha and CBR600 Honda, Chris made the successful
transition to the FWD Manx and opened his account with
a great win in the Senior Classic race. At one stage
his lead was in excess of ten seconds but he backed
off in the closing stages to eventually come home five
seconds ahead of Paul Coward. In the Post Classic Superbike
race later in the day, he didn’t have it all his
own way as Ian Pattinson on a 350 TZ Yamaha pressured
him all the way but Chris held strong to score his second
successive double at the meeting.
He was back out on the Norton at the July Cock o’
the North meeting at Scarborough but the extra cc’s
of Guy Martin’s Trident proved too much and he
was forced to settle for second in the Geoff Barry Classic
Trophy race and third in Sunday’s Barry Sheene
Trophy race, Trevor Keys also getting the better of
him on this occasion. However, this was all deemed as
final preparation for the Senior Classic Manx Grand
Prix.
Fastest in practice at the Manx, Chris flew off the
line and once he had edged ahead of Alan Oversby he
proceeded to pull clear and by the end of the first
lap he was already 14 seconds to the good. His opening
lap of almost 105mph saw him take the lead on the roads
and he went quicker still second time around to extend
his lead to 16 seconds. Steve Linsdell reduced his lead
to 11 seconds on the third lap with the fastest lap
of the race but Chris had it all under control. Despite
a rain shower near Douglas on the final lap, he retained
his advantage throughout the final lap and crossed the
line a popular, and worthy, winner.
Delighted with the win, Chris now can now lay claim
to a British Championship, a TT win and a Manx GP win,
never mind all of his National road race wins achieved
elsewhere. A unique achievement and a class act –
congratulations Chris Palmer!
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