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Competitor Profile: Robert Burns

MGP Career Summary

Position2046
No of times11

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Biography

Name: Robert Burns

Age: 38 [2002]

Location: Stoke Newington, North London (originally Roseyards, Ballymoney)

Occupation: Freelance Computer Network Consultant and Trainer (MCT, CNI) Tel 07973 248 895 rob_burns99@hotmail.com

Hi, basically I’m a bit of a born again racer, started with an RD250LC, in the production class, just when the Gammas and TZR’s were ruling the roost, got a bit fed up dicing for 2nd from last and stopped for a while.

Came back to play, when the EXUP came out and what a beautiful bike it was, really easy to ride. Started to win a few races in my second season, and ended up winning the club championships for the next two years, much to Ian Rogers chagrin.

Time for a rebuild, so I thought that one cylinder would be cheaper to run than four (was I wrong), built a Harris Supermono DR800. My mechanical skills came on leaps and bounds, thanks mostly to the patience of Dave Morris, as he helped me out of one hole after another. My racing however went into reverse, except for running 6th in the Supermono at Donington when everyone else fell off in the wet.

It did give me my first taste of real road racing, I got out to play with the supermono’s at the course I went to as a boy, the North West 200 and qualified 6th, and guess what also blew up whilst in 6th on the first lap of the race, seizing at the end of the Portrush straight.

Gave that up as a bad job and got a 95 ex V&M Honda 600, and messed about in the Supercup series, though my performances were anything but. Had a ride at another of my haunts as a boy, the Ulster Grand Prix and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Then suffered a 5-year hiatus, as money was a bit scarce after I got divorced. Intended entering the MGP in 2000 ago, but went snowboarding for the first time and lasted about 20 minutes before dislocating my shoulder and ripping tendons and ligaments left right and centre, no MGP that year and then some silly cows ruined for the next and now I have finally found out how steep Bray Hill really is.

I took the Honda out to the New Brighton Promenade races and realised just how quick, the 600’s had got and how slow I had become. The next day the lesson was emphasised even more when I was concussed at Mallory after high siding, trying to avoid being overtaken by someone in an orange jacket. My head suffered even more than my ego.

This years plan to regain my national, was get an MZ, nice and cheap, just finish in the top half of the field and get my licence back and stop. Well you know how it is, started going ok, averaging about sixth, good dicing and great fun. The MZ was brought up to the latest specification. all ready for a crack at the remaining rounds, until I counted how much money I didn't have. She is now up for sale at the ridiculously low rate of £1500, so you can go out and get on the podium instead of me.

I now have a nice new bog standard GSXR600 (£5000 ono), which was run in round the Island and even remembered it's way round there quite nicely. I managed a 106.97 last lap on the senior. Thanks to Keith McKay and Harry Harrison for their course advice and Giselle for putting up with endless video laps.



Thanks to Rob for providing the above information.

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