Richard Britton, road racer
What bikes are you riding this season? I'm riding a GSXR Suzuki and a Honda CBR 600RR - the Derry businessman, PJ O'Kane, owns both. I'm racing in Macau on November 20th and I'll be bringing the Suzuki. It has a street value of around £32,000.
How is this Suzuki set up for racing? It's completely changed from the showroom, practically all the nuts and bolts are changed except for the engine chassis. World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson's mechanic Stuart Johnson works on the bike. Its speed is not dramatically changed because the Suzuki would have a top end speed of around 175- 180 mph but it did 191 mph at this year's Ulster GP. The shock absorbers are changed and new forks are fitted to the front. An anti-slip clutch is fitted and the breaking system is changed so that it can stop instantaneously. The fuel injector is changed and titanium rods are fitted to the engine.
Why did you become a road racer? I thought it was better to go into this type of sport, and it took me away from racing around the public roads of Enniskillen. I started racing at a short circuit at Aghadowey in Co Derry in 1992 and that was my first race win.
What age were you when you first started riding bikes? I started riding bikes when I was four years old. My parents got me a little 50cc moped that I used to scoot about the fields on.
Do you think road racing is dangerous? Definitely not. If anything road racing has got a lot safer these days with all the new regulations surrounding the meetings.
What does your insurance cost? We don't get insurance cover for these machines. However, it costs about £1,500 sterling per year for myself.
Do you drive a car? Yes, I drive a Peugeot 306.
Do you ride a road bike? No, I think it's far too dangerous.
Any family objections to your chosen sport? My family have always been very supportive in my racing. My uncle Dick raced years ago and I suppose I am carrying on the family tradition.
Have you had any accidents? 1999 was my worst year. I crashed heavily that year at the Cookstown 100 road races in the Grand Final. I broke my upper left arm badly. Then in July of that same year I was involved in a fatal accident at the Southern 100 in the Isle of Man when six riders including myself crashed at the back of the circuit. I broke the same arm in that accident and I have never returned to that race.
What other motor sport are you interested in? I love rallying and off-road bike racing. I just like any sport that's noisy!
Your racing hero? That was Joey Dunlop. He was simply awesome before his untimely death in 2000. In recent times it would have to be multiple world Champion Italian Valentino Rossi.
What are your hopes for the future? To win a TT race in the Isle of Man and to be successful. My immediate aim is to find a sponsor for 2005. ... - PATRICIA WESTON