History in the making from Hickman
Louth racer Peter Hickman has adapted well to the gruelling 37.73-mile TT mountain course and obviously did his homework in the months leading up to the races by memorising the course on his frequent visits to the Island. His homework certainly paid off as he has come through the exams with a newcomers lap record.
Following his amazing performance in Friday’s final race of the Isle of Man TT festival Hickman has rewritten the history books once again by recording the fastest ever lap by a newcomer during a race at the TT.
In the high profile Senior TT Hicky exceeded all expectations and recorded an unbelievable average of 129.104mph on the sixth and final lap to complete the race in 11th position and pick up yet another silver TT replica bringing his total haul to three from three races.
He ended the week third in the Privateers championship on 75 points, the maximum he could score as he only entered the three big bike races (Superbike, Superstock and Senior) He was also the first Superstock rider home in the Superbike and Senior races and was awarded a silver trophy for each race result.
He began his campaign on Monday, May 26 with an opening lap of 115.103mph which was heralded as the fastest ever first practice lap by a newcomer. He went on to steadily increase his speed recording an overall fastest practice lap at the end of the week of 123.329mph.
He completed his first race on Saturday of last week finishing the six-lap Dainese Superbike race in 14th place and upping his pace on the last lap to 126.195mph. In the four lap Superstock race on Tuesday Hicky finished in eighth place and recorded a lap of 126.545mph and rounded off his week with a fine 11th place in the six-lap Senior TT posting an amazing 129.104mph lap on the final lap of the race.
Peter said: “I had just the one bike and that was a Superstock spec BMW S 1000RR and was riding for the Ice Valley by Motorsave Trade team run by Paul Shoesmith. The only change we made to the bike for the Superbike and Senior races was to run on slick tyres. The 129pmh lap was way more than I ever thought I could do in my first year and to finish my races in 14th, 11th and eighth is just unreal. I have to give a big thanks to Shoey and the Ice Valley by Motorsave Trade team and also my crew, DazzaJ and Kev for all their hard work. I could not have done this without your help. You are all legends.”
Photo credit Baylon McCaughey