2009 Manx Grand Prix - Classic : Carolynn Sells makes History

Dry and sunny conditions, with a strong wind were the conditions conveyed to the competitors prior to the start of the combined Lightweight & Ultra Lightweight Manx Grand Prix by the Clerk of the Course, prior to an announcement that there would be 30 minute delay due to debris on the course at Glen Vine.

Promptly at 1045 Neil Kent and 2008 winner Dan Sayle set off together, with the latter taking an initial advantage. Two and a half minutes later Joe Phillips and Rab Davie got the Ultra Lightweight class underway.

At the end of the first 37.73-miles, Dan Sayle led on the road and on time by less than a second from Davy Morgan, with Nigel Moore third. In the Ultra Lightweight category it was Joe Phillips three seconds ahead of Brian Purdy and Ivan Lintin.

Pits stops came into play at the end of the second lap of four, Dan Sayle and Neil Kent pitted together. The former in the led on time by 1.3 seconds. Davy Morgan was third, after Nigel Moore had retired during the second lap, having taken the lead at the time.
Brian Purdy headed the second class by 10 seconds from Mike Minns, with Carolynn Sells holding onto third from Ivan Lintin.

Lap three, and Sayle was ahead by the merest of margins, 0.38 of a second from Kent with Morgan holding third. The Ultra Lightweight was hotting up with Carolynn Sells leading Mike Minns by some 48 seconds as Brian Purdy slotted into third.

Dan Sayle and Neil Kent crossed the lines together, with Dan winning by 0.22 of a second. Third was Davy Morgan 63 seconds adrift, with Paul Owen fourth. Meanwhile all eyes were on the progress of Carolynn Sells as he made her way over the Mountain and down through the Creg, Brandish, to Governor’s and take the chequered flag. The first female competitor to win a Manx Grand Prix, twenty years since females were allowed in the races – a race in which she competed! Mike Minns finished second and Wayne Kirwan third.

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