I proposed to Nikki in 2003. We had been together for over 3.5 years and things where going great so I rang up Nikki's Dad and asked for permission to propose to his daughter. Luckily he said yes, god knows what I would have done if he had said no! I told Nikki there would be shooting stars up on Otley Chevin at 6am and we had to get there for then to ensure we didnt miss them. I had the ring, a bottle of veuve clicquot, a rug so all i needed was a beautiful sunrise that would provide the perfect setting for my proposal. Everything went according to plan and we got there for about 6am, only problem was it was thick fog, and I mean you litterally couldnt see in front of you. Ben always reminds that when i proposed to Nikki I bet she couldnt even see the ring it that was that foggy. By the end of the year we had set a date of thr 25th June 2005.
The start of my passion and love for the IOM TT
For me, the abiding memory of TT 2003 will have nothing to do with the racing, but the tragic death of lap record holder David Jefferies during practice on Thursday 29th May.
The loss cast a dark cloud over the meeting, although it was somewhat lifted by the fittingly superb racing that was witnessed just like every year I have since been. For me this just highlighted the danger and I guess the attraction of the races. Not in a morbid way but the fact that people come here to race and risk their lives every year for the thrill of riding around the worlds most famous road race circuit. These riders are talented, fearless, skilled and are not motivated by money. If they where they wouldnt be doing this. They are motivated by their passion and love for riding motorcycles around this unique track.
McGuinness and Lougher on the V-twins set the early pace. In fact, the MonsterMob rider led for two laps until overhauled by Archibald during a slow pit stop. Once at the front, Archibald drew ahead to win by 75 seconds from Lougher's Honda SP-2 with McGuinness clinging onto third place narrowly ahead of Jason Griffiths.
Chris Palmer, now a Manx resident, took his first TT win in the Ultra Lightweight event. The veteran set off cautiously, overhauling early leader Michael Wilcox on the second lap and posting a 110.41mph lap record along the way took the flag some 40-seconds ahead of Wilcox, with three times 125cc winner Ian Lougher third.
Triumph won the Junior TT with Kiwi Bruce Anstey aboard, their first TT victory for nearly three decades. His winning margin was 11 seconds from Lougher's CBR600 Honda, while Adrian Archibald as GSX-R600 was another six seconds behind in third. Ryan Farquhar, a relative novice to the TT, set a new lap record of 122.30mph on his final lap.
New Zealand's third win of the week came in the 600cc Production TT, when Shaun Harris took his second victory. Started in sunny conditions and scheduled for three laps, it was reduced to two when mist clouded out the Mountain. In second place was Ian Lougher with Ryan Farquhar taking a further excellent third place podium.
The Senior TT was reduced from six laps to four and postponed to the Saturday because of the same weather conditions that had cut short the Production 600 race. In the early stages it was McGuinness's F02 Ducati that led from Lougher's SP-2 and Archibald's GSX-R.
By Ramsey on lap one the Ulsterman had forged a narrow lead, which he increased all the way to the end. John McGuinness brought the MonsterMob Ducati home in second place with Ian Lougher placed third on the Honda from Jason Griffiths, Ryan Farquhar and Shaun Harris.
Senior at the famous Cregg N Bar
Me at the famous Bray Hill where the bikes tarvel through the dip at 160mph+
Me with my Mum and sister and my mullet!
Me and my best buddy Ben enjoying summer 2003.
Me and my dad enjoying a trip out on the motorbikes up to the Lakes and pictured above, Honiston Pass.
December 2003 was a pretty busy one, live gigs and buying more property! I love playing the drums and for a period of about 4 months I used to travel over to Hull to rehearse with a band every week. It was great fun and you cant beat the feeling of playing in a live band. Main songs / artists included Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi. We played a gig at the Adelphi In Hull which was one of the biggest buzzes I have felt, it was mental!
In December 2003 we also bought a buy to let property in Hedon on new the new Barrat estate. From the sale of my house in Leeds we had some money left over and thought with the success we had with the one in Leeds let get back on the ladder again but this time with a buy to let property. It went through in Dec 2003 and we had a tenant lined up staight away that moved in.
This venture over the period of a couple of years proved to be very challenging and not something that I would look to do again. With Unreliable tenants (not paying but the way they live), the extra money such as landlord certificates etc just seemed like extra hassle along with a full time job. Saying that, would I have done anything differently and if given a second chance would I have done the same again, Yes I would.
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