TRIPLE FOR KIWIS AT MANX
Leading Classic race exponents Team Grantham Lodge will have a three-pronged attack at the 2024 Manx Grand Prix with double Senior Classic race podium finisher Mike Browne once more spearheading their attack.
The Irishman will be joined in the New Zealand-based team by Rhys Hardisty and Rob Hodson.
Team principal Peter Lodge has been involved in motorsport, both two wheels and four, throughout his life and first came to the Isle of Man in 2016, contesting the Senior Classic TT race with Dave Kenah.
“The pinnacle for many bike racers is to compete on the famous Isle of Man Mountain Course and to say it left an impression would be an understatement,” he says.
“It left me thinking ‘we have to do this and take up the challenge’, which is exactly what we’ve done."
Having campaigned 500cc single cylinder Nortons in the Classic racing scene in both New Zealand and Australia for several years, Lodge returned in 2022 with his ES2 Norton and with Browne on board – having his first ever classic bike race – and took a brilliant third in the Classic Senior race behind Lee Johnston and Stefano Bonetti.
The Irishman lapped at 110.312mph to set the fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course by a British single cylinder machine.
“Mike is an absolute gem. He’s not only a fantastic rider but a wonderful person and fitted into our small, low budget team from the other side of the world, like a glove.
“Our first foray to the Island for the 2022 MGP was very successful with Mike getting a podium and the experience showed us what a great event the Manx is, more so because of the people involved - everyone was so helpful.
“We know that the bike racing fraternity worldwide and at all levels is a close-knit community, but the Isle of Man lot are special, and it shows!
“After arriving on the Island, everything about the place, the event and the people, leaves a pleasant and lasting impression.”
The combination of Browne and the ES2 Norton repeated their third-place finish in 2023, aided by another 110mph+ lap although there was slight disappointment in the result after a misfire saw them slip back after leading on the opening lap.
The team immediately started to turn their attentions to the 2024 event and whilst Browne will continue on the ES2 Norton in the Carole Nash Classic Senior race, Hodson will campaign the ex-Ripley Land 350cc AJS 7R machine, now owned by another Kiwi enthusiast Phil Price, in the re-introduced 2 Wheeling Classics Classic Junior race.
Hardisty will campaign Velocette machinery in both the Classic Senior and Classic Junior races.
“You can be assured the Kiwis will be pushing hard for good results at this iconic event,” concludes Lodge.
If you want to see the team take to the Mountain Course this MGP, check out Duke Travel for packages from the UK and further afield, Horst Saiger for German Tours and the Isle of Man Steam Packet for race day day trips.
