Team boss reveals hopes for 2010 TT
One of the best-known team bosses in the TT paddock has revealed his ambitions for the 2010 TT.
Clive Padgett has admitted he’d like to win the Senior, the overall TT Championship and see one of his Superstock machines break the 130mph lap – but added he’s ‘happy with any TT victories’.
Padgett, whose family has been involved with motorcycle racing for more than 50 years, is looking forward to a busy year. For the 2010 TT he has Ian Hutchinson – who took two wins in the same day for the team last year – entered in all solo classes, 2009 Senior TT winner and reigning British Supersport Champion Steve Plater set to race in the Supersport events and 15-times TT winner John McGuinness entered in the Supersport and Superstock races.
The trio will also race at the North West 200, while Hutchy will also join Glen Richards at Padgetts for a full season of British Supersport Championship racing.
Speaking in the latest issue of the TT Newsletter, Padgett outlines his hopes for the 2010 TT.
He says:
‘We went very close last year to overall champion, which Hutchy would have taken without that spill at the end of the Senior, so the TT championship would be nice this year.’
‘I think the Senior is the one that, deep down, the riders really want to win, but I’m happy with any TT victories. One of my proudest achievements last year was that, but for that spill with Ian in the Senior, we would have finished every practice and race lap.’
‘I’d also like to see a 130mph on a Superstock, Ian went so close last year and remember that he set it on the last lap of the Superstock race with a tyre that had done four laps.’
Padgett also revealed the team were pleased, but not surprised when Hutchy became one of a select few riders to claim victory in two TT races in one day – the Superstock and first Supersport.
He told the latest TT Newsletter:
‘We were really confident going into the TT and while we may have surprised a few people, we knew how well he could do. To win a TT you need everything to go for you, so to win two in a day was a real achievement that’s only been done by two or three teams I think.’
‘We weren’t surprised, but we were certainly pleased!’
In the interview, Padgett also recalls his family’s long involvement in racing, reveals who his heroes were growing up and reflects on the recent changes the TT has gone through.
He also discusses the racing pedigree of McGuinness and Plater.
Padgett tells the TT Newsletter this will be the fourth year Morecambe’s McGuinness has been with the team, possibly his longest stint with a single team, and explains why the relationship seems to work so well.
‘We really understand each other and are good friends and on the same wavelength. Our family style of racing appears to suit John – we’ve no airs and graces. The thing people don’t necessarily realise about John is how hard working he is. He really applies himself professionally when he needs to and he still puts himself in a position to learn every time he goes out on a bike.’
Padgett adds that it was Plater’s age and experience when he first arrived at the TT which prepared him for what has been a stunning three years on the Mountain, claiming two wins – including the prestigious Senior last year – and the overall 2009 TT championship.
He told the TT Newsletter:
‘Steve had the age and experience to apply himself properly to the task. He researched thoroughly and took the same approach that he took for the Macau GP, studying the track and learning. He’s had the perfect three year TT career to date and proof of his approach is that his newcomer record from 2007 (125.808mph) still stands.’
To read the full interview, download the TT Newsletter Issue Number 3 now