TT race excitement awaits Parrett

You won't find Midhurst's Mark Parrett riding a motorbike on the sunny Sussex roads this summer '“ but in June you'll find him racing at speeds of up to 200mph on the twists and turns of the roads on the Isle of Man in the world's longest and most dangerous motorcycle race, the TT.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2011, 19:50 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 17:50 BST

In July 2009 he was airlifted to hospital with eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, massive bruising and suspected pelvic injuries after hitting a wall at 100mph in the Southern 100 road races on the Billown circuit, also on the Isle of Man.

Unbelievably, six weeks later, he took part in the Manx GP on the Island. He got medical clearance just three days before the event and took part on a classic bike, riding through the pain for a very respectable finish.

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The accident led him to take a break from modern motorcycle racing in 2010 and stick to classic machines, which reach maximum speeds of around 130mph compared to 190mph.

Last year he took part in events including the Lansdowne Classic series on short-circuit tracks around the UK, in which he achieved sixth place. He entered the pre-TT classic, where he was fifth in the first race, but at the Manx GP he broke down in both races. He appeared at the Goodwood Revival, partnered by Andrew Taylor on a pre-1955, 350cc road-going 7R.

Parrett’s first race this year was the North West 200 in Ireland, the first time he’d been on a modern sports bike for 22 months. The weather was against him and only one race was completed before the event was abandoned.

Parrett works long hours as an electrician to fund his passion for racing. He has support from major sponsors C & C Ltd, as well as Vixon Racing, Haslemere Motorcycles and Andy House body repairs among others.

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Other interested sponsors can contact him through www.MarkParrettRacing.co.uk. Parrett hopes for a solid comeback at the TT, an event he has been looking forward to for almost two years. He is aiming for a top-ten finish in the Supersport races on the Yamaha R6 and a top -15 finish on the 1000cc BMW Superbike.

CATHERINE DAWTREY

Related topics:MidhurstSussex