Competitor Profile:
Michael Connor
MGP Career Summary
Position | 10 | 49 | 54 | 57 | 61 | 66 | 71 | 72 | 74 | DNF |
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No of times | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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Biography
I started motorcycling as a telegram boy with Royal Mail in 1975, riding a Puch moped or BSA Bantam by day and my own 350 Kawasaki or 750 Honda by night. The Puch moped was a bit of an embarrassment, so I used to ride during the day with a scarf around my face so that friends wouldn't recognise me!
I used to go to the Transatlantic Match Races at Oulton Park and dream of one day taking part in races there and in 1983 I started racing, my first race being at Flookburgh on an old Yamaha RD250B which I had bought for £125. That soon made way for a 250LC and many a good time was had (and much money spent) on that.
Many bikes have come and gone but my favourite was a Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 on which I made my Manx Grand Prix debut in 1995 having previously come over to spanner for Joss Armer the year before.
Prior to that I had only been over with friends on a day trip to the TT 1980 when racing was rained off and I vowed never to come back again. Good job I did because I fell in love with the place and even now when I don't compete any more have to lock myself away in a darkened room when the Grand Prix is on.
It really is the biggest challenge for motorcyclists - on a par with Everest for climbers - so finishing was rewarding enough for me. I always treated the races as a holiday and didn't put pressure on myself. If I got a good result, that was a bonus.
I was lucky to have good friends to mechanic for me and I made some new and lasting ones whilst there.
On the mainland I competed at many circuits around the country but my favourites were Oulton Park and Aintree. I have raced in many classes including 250 Proddy and Singles.
Michael Connor
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