Report by Martin Knighton
16/06/09
RECORD BREAKING TINMOUTH
THRILLED WITH ISLE OF MAN TT DEBUT!
Isle of Man TT
30 May – 12 June 2009
Jenny Tinmouth has become the new female outright lap record holder on the famous 37.73 mile mountain course during the 2009 Isle of Man TT, setting her best time of 19 minutes 22.56 seconds on lap four of the Senior TT, riding the sorrymate.com Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, at an average speed of 116.835mph.
The hype and anticipation of Jenny Tinmouth making her debut at the Isle of Man TT, had been building for some time, she had made several visits to the Island as part of her preparation for the world’s toughest and most famous road race. As practice week dawned, she knew she had to be on her game.
Setting off for the newcomers lap, at a controlled pace, Tinmouth would settle in nicely, familiarizing herself with the new surroundings of buildings, hedges and trees, and the occasional rabbit! She acclimatized well, and produced several laps close to an average speed of 100mph. Riding both her sorrymate.com/two wheel workshop entered Honda CBR600RR and Honda CBR1000RR respectively, she became more dialled in with each lap during practice week, the best of which she saved for final practice on the Friday evening, where she recorded an average speed of 110.503mph.
Taking the start of the Dainese Superbike TT, onboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Tinmouth soon got into her stride, enjoying every minute of every lap. Coming in to the pits for fuel was something she doesn’t normally have to consider in the British Supersport Championship, but with her trusty mechanic, Steve, it all went according to plan. She continued to ride at a rapid pace, her best lap being at an average speed of 114.040mph, finishing in 44th position.
Content to have her first race under her belt, next up on the schedule would be the first of two, Relentless Supersport TT races. Riding her Honda CBR600RR, she was again making solid progress, when unfortunately her gear lever bracket broke on the final lap, forcing her into retirement.
The Royal London 360 Superstock TT was to take place later on the same day, and a determined Tinmouth blasted away from the start making a rapid decent down Bray Hill. Completing the first lap at an average speed of over 111mph, she was on a mission, and enjoying the performance of the 1000cc Fireblade. At the end of lap two, she had got the hammer down further, averaging 114.741mph before coming to a halt at the stop box and into the pits for fuel. Lap three was slower, by virtue of the fact that it included the pit stop, but lap four provided something special from Jenny. This effectively is the only flying lap, and she proved her pedigree with a stunning lap of 116.483mph, the fastest ever lap by a female at the Isle of Man TT!!
The following day’s second Relentless Supersport TT became subject to several delays, due to rain and hailstones at certain places on the course, Glen Helen and Ballaugh, being particulary hazardous areas. With the race start time being constantly put back, Tinmouth took the decision not to risk anything on the less than perfect surface, so pulled out of the race. Once the race did get underway, William Dunlop and Adrian Archibald pulled in after one lap, and TT legend, John McGuinness had a huge moment in the Rhencullen section, which made him back off too, all of which proved that Tinmouth’s decision, as a newcomer, was the correct one.
The riders had a much needed day off on Thursday, but it proved to be another busy day for Tinmouth, taking in several interviews, both for Sure Radio TT, and for TV broadcast. She also was in demand for autographs and photos, with the public and media people alike.
The blue riband event at the Isle of Man TT is the Senior TT event, run over six laps. Tinmouth had been moved up the starting order, carrying the number 65 plate, having previously run with the number 74 plate, earlier in the week. Once underway, the race progressed at an awesome pace, McGuinness breaking the outright lap record at the front. Tinmouth, however, rode her own race, setting impressive times in the process. On lap four, which was an ‘in’ lap for fuel, she had further eclipsed her own female lap record, recording an average speed of 116.835mph. Riding confidently in 47th position, she would be unable to complete the final lap, due to the red flags being shown, as the weather had closed in to bring a halt to proceedings. The race was won by HM Plant Honda’s Steve Plater, with John McGuinness having retired with a broken chain at half distance.
Tinmouth was overjoyed with how the two weeks had gone on the famous Island, and was delighted to be the new lap record holder. Previous holder, Maria Costello, was amongst the first to congratulate her on her achievement.
Speaking with me in Douglas afterwards, Jenny reflected on her achievements:
“I’ve had an amazing time at the TT, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I’ve enjoyed the experience so much!! I started off practice week pretty slow, but just wanted to get my head around the course and build up to a quicker pace. The newcomers lap following the marshal, was my first ever lap of the course on a race bike, and it was amazing! Then to be let loose on my own straight afterwards was brilliant. I had a huge cheesy grin inside my helmet on that first lap on my own, as I set off down Bray Hill.
Practice week and race week went really well, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m so pleased with my overall results and speeds around the course to say it’s my first time here, and to come away with the women’s lap record was a real bonus! I was a little disappointed not to get in my last flying lap during the Senior TT on Friday, as I was kind of building up to that last lap, but I think the right decision was made due to the weather conditions.
Overall, it’s been a mega experience, there is so much more I can learn about the course, and I’m already looking forward to coming back next year for some more racing between the hedges.”
"I have to say a huge thank you to Fergus at Sorrymate.com, Jim at Slingshots, Lucy smith, and Steve and Lindsey Pugh for making it possible for me to get to the TT and to June and Andy Melling for helping out for the whole two weeks and of course Brad for looking after me and bike as always!!"
Jenny Tinmouth is back in action this coming weekend, where she will be competing in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship, riding her sorrymate.com sponsored Honda CBR600RR.
Jenny is still seeking additional sponsors to contribute to her 2009 season, so please come forward and contact her at the email address below to discuss how you can help each other in making 2009 a successful year!
We need your help!
Sponorship still sought for the 2009 season
Please visit our sponsorship page.
Written and distributed on behalf of Jenny Tinmouth
By Martin Knighton
Freelance Motorsport PR
martin.knighton@btinternet.com
07818 040205