2006 The Peoples Highlights of the Year

There’s no doubt that 2006 was a fantastic year for the sport of real road racing and there were many highs and triumphs along the way. We all marveled at John McGuinness’ hat-trick and outright lap record at the TT, became mesmerized by Guy Martin’s unforgettable four-timer at the UGP and were simply blown away by Cameron Donald’s ride into second place in the Senior TT.

We all had our own particular favourite moments so we asked a wide spectrum of people for their own comments and views as to what was their ‘Highlight of the Year’. Here’s a selection of what they had to say.

Jim Hunter – TT Travelling Marshal
Getting back to the Beer Tent after the Senior TT and reflecting on an unforgettable fortnight - exciting races, fantastic weather, unbelievable speeds, awesome newcomers, miraculous escapes - all washed down with a pint or two of cold lager! Smashing - I enjoyed it so much I even went out and bought the video and the last time I did that was 1992 ("White Charger", Hizzy, Foggy)

John Tarbett - Photographer
Anyone at the Ulster this year will tell you that Guy Martin's performance there was one of the most amazing exhibitions of riding many of us have ever witnessed. The tussle with Hutchinson was out of the highest levels of road racing. A week or so later he did the same at Scarborough pace - no Hutchinson on that occasion. The other highlight was the sheer guts and determination of Ryan Farquhar coming back from the horrible incident at Cookstown and in particular his classic riding in the Manx.

Bill Peacock – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
My highlight of the year race wise was between the 600 race at the Southern 100 on the Thursday and the 2nd 600cc race at the UGP. The best comment was Guy’s after the UGP S/bike race and how shocked he seemed and he would have settled for a 1st & 2nd - little did he know 4 wins were to come, still not as good as 'sucking rabbits oot the hedges’ though!

Willis Marshall - Journalist
My highlight of the 2006 road-racing season was to see Robert Dunlop step back up on the number one step at the North West 200. After all the trials, pain, and sheer determination that Robert has had to come through, losing Joey, his 1994 TT injury, the 1998 North West 200 crash, the 1998 Isle of Man TT Ultra-lightweight win, going back into hospital in 2005, and winning in front of his home fans was just truly remarkable.

James Edmeades - Rider
My highlight of the year was to race the IoM TT course for the first time. The great weather we were blessed with just made the whole thing even better. Having a flying lap in the car with Milky was another highlight, and I have got to rate it very highly with the awesome sound track that he performs!

Phil Harvey - Rider
One of my highlights and privileges was to watch and race against Guy Martin in amazement at the Scarborough Gold Cup! How fast and in control was that man, major respect and lesson learnt. Only to be followed up by being on the same chat show as him with the NYRRSC, he has some great stories and is brutally honest, no corporate monkey there.

Mark Miller, TT Rider
I think Big H's hairy legs wearing a dress up on stage at the TT Chat Show will be burned into my memory for a lifetime! I wish I had a photo of it!

Martin Long – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
Being from Tipperary one of my main highlights was Roger Maher’s double pole and two third places at Walderstown. Also Ian Hutchinson’s win at the North West 200 and new Lap Record at the UGP was pretty special and Cameron Donald’s sheer speed throughout the year was another favourite highlight of mine. It is great to see the massive support for our sport both sides of the border for road racing!

Margaret Patterson – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
My highlight of the year was Steve Plater’s first win at the NW200 this year. The look of joy on his face when he pulled in towards the winners’ enclosure was a sight to see. My favorite image of the day is the one of Plater and Mervyn White hugging each other when Plater stopped. My cynical mind thought that Mervyn was seeing this as a big pay day next year when everyone will turn up to see Rutter try to beat Plater again. Plater told me though that himself and Mervyn are very close friends and that Mervyn was genuinely pleased for him.

Kate Martin – Guy’s Sister
The highlight of my year was with Guy at the Ulster Grand Prix. I was with the team then as Guy's tyre technician and everything went perfect. 4 wins and a 2nd place after all the bad luck the team had at the TT and North West, this is just what everyone needed and credit to Guy for riding the Yamaha's to the limit!

Gert Meulman – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
My highlight of the year was when I witnessed Cameron Donald in only his second TT year coming home in second position in the TT Senior. I decided that day to stay in the start/finish area; I wanted to take photos of the start and of the rostrum after the race. I didn't hear anything during the race about positions, so I was very delighted and surprised to see that Cameron was parked up at the rostrum area. It was great to see the happiness by Cameron and how surprised he was himself with the result. It was so good to shake hands and congratulate Uel and Cameron and to see the joy in their eyes. For me was also very special to congratulate Davy with this great finish. By far the best moment was to see Davy sitting in front of the bike with in his hands a little photo of our beloved Richard Britton, pure class Davy, when I'm typing this down it still makes my flesh creep.

Pete Burke – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
The highlight of the year for me was watching Cameron Donald at the Southern 100. How he can go to a new track and be so fast and challenging the more experienced riders from the off is quite astounding. I watched from various points through the practice and racing and you could see him getting faster and faster each time through. The feature race was my favorite. Guy Martin was something special and one of those races that you tell people about for years to come. Although the gloves were off and unarmed combat was in full swing both riders showed the trust they must have with each other as they raced elbow to elbow, great stuff and a privilege to watch from such close quarters. After all, the last rookie to win on his debut was a bit special too!

Chris Machin – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
My 2006 highlights were Guy Martin taking a clean sweep with four wins at the Ulster GP, especially after he’d had such a hard time at the TT this year. Ian Hutchinson and Guy Martin both setting 130 mph laps at the Ulster GP. Cameron Donald taking second place in the Senior TT, and lapping at over 128 mph in only his second year on the TT course. What will he be capable of doing in 2007? Guy Martin winning his fourth consecutive Scarborough Gold Cup Trophy race. The Dunlop family: Robert’s return to form, Michael’s Manx GP win and William’s performances on his 250cc machine.

Martin Bullock – Team Boss
In view of the unfortunate accidents this year to our riders Seamus Greene, Alan Jackson, Nigel John and Si Fulton (who are all in various stages of rehab and whom we hope will all make full recoveries), I’d like to express my personal gratitude and admiration of the marshals for all that they do for the riders. To my mind, the marshals are absolute heroes and must be given the greatest respect and credit for the jobs that they so willingly undertake. Thanks to all of them.

John Beaty – RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
Highlight for me this year has to be Cameron's second place in the Senior TT. To be involved with both the TT and also Cameron's debut a year earlier, there was no better to way for me to justify why the TT is the greatest race on this planet. The Rider, the Team, The Organisers, everyone emotionally exhausted. It laid to rest a criticism aimed at both camps. The TT in particular had taken its fair share of criticism on the web leading up the event and it was nice to see a rider approached by the TT organisers just a year earlier becoming a contender for the crown. I can't wait for 2007!

Gary Salisbury - RealRoadRacing.Com Community Member
The highlight for me was the weather during TT week! I reckon it had a lot to do with the increased lap speeds too - plenty of good practice time and rubber on the road etc. Although I'm a bit of a fan of Michael Rutter, it was great to see Steve Plater reel him in at the NW200 (and again at Macau!). Great stuff. A big surprise was the performances of relative newcomers Ian Hutchinson and Cameron Donald at the TT - amazing stuff.

Although John McGuinness got the results at the end, I think he was really pushed this year and had to really go for it. Also, Bruce Anstey lapped at over 129 - John's still top dog - but only just. Cameron was also amazing at the smaller races - winning first time out at several, like the S100.

I thought the hardest luck went to Klaus Klaffenbock - with Moly out he had a real chance of a podium - maybe even a win. He was on an equal pace with the other top teams, but conked out in both races - a tough one indeed.