One of the 25 newcomers making their Manx Grand Prix debut this year is 32-year-old, Daniel Pearson.
The builder from Brough in Yorkshire is no stranger to road racing having achieved wins at Aberdare Park in Wales and notable results at Cookstown and the Southern 100.
Having started racing in 2023, Daniel is making his Mountain Course debut in the Sportbike and Junior Manx Grand Prix races riding a Kawazaki Z650.
After finishing his first laps around the course, Dan said: “It was amazing, absolutely amazing.
“I can't describe it, really.
“Just a feeling of, it's a different thing on your own, and not being with other riders, if that makes sense.”
His first taste of the course came on his guided newcomers lap where he followed Dom Herbertson around the track though he had put in plenty of preparation before setting off.
He said: “I followed Dom and he showed us where to go and gave us some pointers.
“He gave us a lot of information that was useful when I went on my first solo lap.
Dan added: “I’ve been watching the laps and onboards, after we came across for the newcomers' weekend, and it's just been taking in as much information from everybody that wants to offer it.
“There's people that you talk to in the paddock that offer you information for certain corners and you just listen to it, and just use it all when we go around.
“Going around in a car is different, but when you go around on your solo lap you can see where all the information is that's been told to you.”
Dan has been coming to the Island to watch the races since 1998 but says it is only in the last two years that he started looking at the course as a competitor rather than a racer.
He said: “I did circuit racing just mainly to get my license, really.
“It's been a dream to go road racing and come here.”
Speaking on his aims for his debut, Dan said: “Ride round, finish, come home happy.
“There's no aim, no targets, just enjoy it.”
Easy to spot in the paddock with his beard, Dan will be competing in the Sportbike and Junior races on his Kawasaki with the number 53 plate.
