Grandfather clocks up victory in TT races

GRANDFATHER Ted Fenwick found having a few extra years on the clock was no handicap when he chalked up a victory in the Isle of Man's TT races – at the age of 82.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jun 2010, 12:31 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2010, 12:32 BST

Mr Fenwick, who has been racing for 58 years, was first past the flag in the Pre-TT Classic: one of the biggest events in the motorbiking calendar. The veteran speedster caught the biking bug as a teenager despite suffering horrific injuries in a competition in 1968 when he broke his neck, arm and back in a crash.

He vowed to stay in the saddle despite wife Margaret urging him to quit. Mr Fenwick, of Heworth, York, said: "I just enjoy riding the bike and I enjoy competing, because I get a real thrill from the speed of it.

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"A lot of the people I race against are much younger and probably more fearless, but it doesn't really matter, although when I started racing I never thought I would still be doing it now.

"I haven't had a serious injury since 1972 and I'll keep racing as long as I keep getting up in the morning."

Mr Fenwick credits his success and longevity to a team effort between himself and mechanic friend Geoff Shaw who prepares his bike for races.

The Pre-TT Classic races are run by the Southern 100 Motorcycle Racing Club, whose secretary George Peach said: "Ted doesn't look in his eighties and he certainly doesn't act it. He's a superb rider.

"He thoroughly deserved to win and everybody was delighted for him."

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