|
| TT Website Interviews - Ian Simpson
|
All pictures kindly
supplied by Bill Snelling of FoTTofinders
|
Ian Simpson has been there and done it all, in the
world of Motor Cycle Racing. Three TT wins, two Ulster Grand Prix wins, five
North West 200 wins plus numerous British Championship success’s are just
some of the impressive statistics Ian has on his CV.
But now at the age of
31, due to a serious accident at the start of this season, the likeable Scot
has had to hang up his leathers for good.
We spoke to him from his home
in Dalbeattie and asked him to reflect over his career and asked him about that
awful accident that brought an untimely end to his career.
Ian, thank you for taking the time to speak with us first of
all.
No problem.
So that’s it,
you have finished racing for good?
Aye, I’m finished really because of my right leg.
It’s twisted and it needs another operation to straighten it up and
it’s about an inch and a half shorter than my left leg as well. It would
be too hard to get the strength back into it, I mean I would still love to
race, but I always said that if I wasn’t going to be quick enough,
I’d give up.
Tell us about the accident. Can
you recall any details of what happened?
Aye, I can remember all right. We had a few silly problems
with the bike and I’d only qualified in eleventh and I was so mad with
myself for being that far down. I started getting through them, but I could see
Jim Moodie and Kirk McArthy pulling away and I was getting really frustrated
getting held up by a couple of guys in front of me and down I went.
If you hadn’t have crashed do you think you
would have been in with a shout for the Championship?
Definitely, I would say so. I always have been before.
And what about your injuries, how serious were
they?
Well I broke the bottom of both legs and the top of my right
leg. I broke my legs in 92, 95 and 99 so it’s the fourth time it’s
happened.
Has the rehabilitation been difficult
for you?
Yeah, my right leg will never be right again now because like
I said before it’s nearly two inches shorter than the left one and
it’s rotated 45 degrees as well. They did a brilliant job of putting it
back together at all, because they were going to amputate it at one stage. I
don’t really like talking about my injuries too much…
Of course
All right, you’ve had a
wonderful career albeit shorter than expected. I would like to ask you more
about the old days if I may? When did you start racing?
I started when I was sixteen in 86 and I went British
Championship racing in 88.
Obviously with your
father, Bill, being a successful rider before you, it must have been hard to
resist the temptation of starting racing yourself?
Yeah I always wanted to race.
Who were your Motor Cycling Heroes when you were
younger?
Joey was probably my biggest hero. He was the boy. But people
like Rob Mcelnae and in the later years people like Niall
Mackenzie.
Your Isle of Man TT and North West 200
victories must have been some of the highlights of your career, but which race
in particular is your most memorable?
Err, there are races people probably wouldn’t remember
except myself but I can remember a British Championship 600 Race at Oulton Park
in 91. That was the hardest I’ve probably ever rode a bike I
think.
Who were you racing against that
day?
I won it, second was a dice between Carl Fogarty, Jim Moodie,
Phil Boorley and Mark Farmer. It was a good race because I ended up winning it
by about 6-8 seconds and broke the lap record, which was 1:40.4 at the time,
wasn’t beat for a good few years. I mean if you look at 600’s going
round Oulton now, there’s people on much better bikes with 25 Horse Power
more on better tyres still not doing 1:40.
I can remember that day
losing the front and then the back on just about every single
corner.
On the subject of the TT, the future
of the event is looking under serious threat at the moment. What are your views
on the situation?
I would say definitely because, I mean I would never slate
the TT. I’ve had the most enjoyable times riding bikes at the TT.
It’s an incredible buzz and incredibly good fun, but it’s so
dangerous and I’ve lost friends, very very good friends who lost their
lives there and I’ll never forget that.
As far as the date clash
goes, I think it’s absolutely scandalous that the clash has occurred with
the British Championship. Whether you’re a TT fan or not, and I obviously
am, I think it’s down to pure greed. It’s the only explanation. The
TT only takes up two weekends, so I’m sure they could organise it so there
was no clash.
And it’s not just a problem for the riders; there are
the spectators, marshals a hell of a lot of mechanics from the short circuits
that help out lads at the TT. Then there’s the teams like V&M and
Honda Britain and Vimto that do both plus Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Regina
Chains and Padgett’s, just about everyone does both.
Whoever makes
these decisions obviously doesn’t know the first thing about bike racing.
If you don’t know any better, you may think short circuit racing is one
thing and road racing is another, but it’s not like that. It’s all
the same people really.
It baffles me. How can they even contemplate
clashing the dates like that?
Can I ask you about
Joey Dunlop? You raced against him many times during your career and I’m
sure you respected him an awful lot. What sort of impact do you think his
passing had on the sport and what were your views personally?
Well the TT isn’t going to be the same again. When the
news got through I was really really sad. I think it’s all been said
before. Motorbikes can be a hell of a cruel thing and I think that’s what
makes them….
I’m honoured to say that Joey was my friend. We
had some good laughs together and that.
Other than
Joey, which rider that you have ridden against do you respect the most?
Well I’ve had a million dices with Jim Moodie over the
years. Every time you get your head down and ride as hard as you can for about
ten laps and then you look over your shoulder and that bloody purple helmet
would still be right up your arse.
You must be
quite close with Jim. Do you know if he’ll be at the TT next year?
I don’t know. His contract will be for the British
Championship so that will come first and the TT second. But like I’ve said
there’s no need for that to happen.
So
changing the subject slightly, tell us what you are up to now. I believe
you’ve opened a shop?
Aye, I’ve got a wee shop. It sells stuff like
Quicksilver and Oxbow sports gear. It’s called Sport 22 and it’s in
Michael Street in Dumfries.
And what about the
Rallying?
I’ve had rally cars for about five years now. I just do
a few rallies in the winter for a laugh. I’ve got a mark 2 Escort with a
16 Valve Vauxhall Engine in it.
John Crawford is into it as well.
He’s got a Sunbeam with the same engine as me in it. It’s really good
fun with no pressure.
And what does the future
hold for you Ian?. Are you going to continue to be involved with Motor Cycle
Racing?
A couple of teams have spoke to us about running a Supersport
team. I can’t really talk too much about sponsors etc but I think my dad
and me will be back involved with the sport next year.
Excellent. Well thanks for speaking to us; it’s been a
great interview….
No problem I love talking about Road Racing. I’m like
you, I love it and it’s great to watch and people who slag it, and have
never seen it, well, I don’t think they realise what they’re missing.
The Atmosphere at Road Races is second to none.
Yeah, I’m born and bread Manx but I love Ireland myself
for the racing. It’s so accessible over there.
Yeah Irelands the best place I’ve ever raced. The
atmosphere and the people, the Irish are so knowledgeable about the
sport.
They certainly are. Anyway, like I said
it’s been wonderful talking to you…
My pleasure anytime…
And I hope we’ll see you at Skerries sat on the hedge next
year….
(Laughs) Maybe, Maybe
Interview by
Paul Phillips. Special thanks to Kev and Col from
Moose Racing.
|
Back to
Interviews Index
|
|
