36 year old County Durham coal merchant Richard Charlton has spent much of his life riding bikes, starting at the age of just three on a MotoX machine. Starting out racing in 2008, Richard first raced on the Isle of Man course in the 2011 Manx GP and returns again this year to take on the formidable circuit.
Richard says: “There is nothing like racing on a 37-mile circuit of public roads and with no warm-up laps you have to be completely focused. Compared to track racing, you have to use your head a lot more to prepare for what’s ahead and that also means you’re always learning. It took me at least three years racing in the Manx before I felt like I really knew the circuit.”
As well as competing at the Manx, he also races his Yamaha R6 in the Motogrande Powersport Tour, and although racing around a track doesn’t compare to what the Manx GP will throw at him, it does ensure that Richard has real confidence in both his bike and tyres, so he doesn’t have to worry about them when he lands on the island.
In 2009 Richard began using the Michelin Power Cup, and has recently been setting some very quick times in the Hottrax series thanks in part to the consistent performance of the Michelin tyres.
When asked what goes through his mind when he races in the Manx GP, Richard admits “There is a certain amount of fear, just the sheer speed you’re riding at. There’s one point where you have the throttle open and you’re giving it everything for nearly two miles – it’s moments like that when you have to have confidence in your bike and your tyres.
The Power Cup tyres I use have proven to be stable in fast corners and over the bumpier sections of the route – to get the best grip out of them I always make sure they’re warm before setting off. They’ve never let me down and I wouldn’t consider racing on anything else.”
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