Ingram leads Wigan's charge on TT course

John Ingram ensured Wiganers on the Isle of Man had plenty to cheer at this year's Senior TT.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jun 2016, 11:21 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2016, 12:24 BST
Wigans John Ingram speeds past the Bungalow section of the Isle of Man TTWigans John Ingram speeds past the Bungalow section of the Isle of Man TT
Wigans John Ingram speeds past the Bungalow section of the Isle of Man TT

The Hindley joiner was 32nd out of the traps in last Friday’s race around the famous 37.7-mile course and brought his BMW 1000RR home in a highly-respectable 21st place out of 43 finishers, averaging an eye-watering 121.8mph.

The result capped a strong week for the man known as ‘The Ram’, who took home a bronze replica trophy for his efforts.

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He also placed 20th in Monday’s Superstock race and 24th in the Supersport, before going on to a 33rd-place finish in the Supersport race last Wednesday.

The Senior race didn’t leave father and son, Jim and Ron Hodson much cause for celebration though.

Jim was starting his 100th TT race on his distinctive pink BMW and was 48th out on

the road, but only managed three laps before being forced to retire due to technical issues.

And Jim’s son, Rob, didn’t even make the start line.

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He was due to be the 46th starter, but was sore from coming off his bike in the Lightweight TT race on the Wednesday, ending a frustrating week which saw him disqualified from Monday’s Supersport for running an oversized engine, an issue which his PRF Racing team apologised to the rider for.

Friday’s racing was soured by the deaths of two competitors, taking this year’s total fatalities to five.

Sidecar driver Ian Bell, 58, of Bedlington, Northumberland, was killed in a crash at Ballaspur. He was racing with his son Carl, who was uninjured.

And Andrew Soar, 32, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, died in an accident at Keppel Gate during the senior race.

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On Friday evening, Rob Hodson posted on Facebook: “Just received the awful news that Andy Soar lost his life this afternoon during the Senior TT race.

“Rest in peace Andy.”

On June 4, sidecar driver Dwight Beare, 27, and rider Paul Shoesmith, 50, were killed.Dean Martin, 58, died from injuries suffered in a crash during practice for the Pre-TT classic on May 28.

After Friday’s TT, Rob Hodson did enjoy some consolation for his frustrations in the post TT races at the smaller Billown road circuit on Saturday.

William Dunlop was the star of the show, taking wins at both the 600 and 1100 cc races, and setting a new lap record in the process.

But Wiganer Hodson finished third in both races, particularly impressing on his dad’s BMW in the final race of the evening.

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