Startline - Road Racing podcast

In this episode of Startline, we turn our attention to the Billown Course and the Pre-TT Classic Road Races, taking place on the Isle of Man on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May.
Organised by the Southern 100 Club, the Pre-TT has become one of the standout fixtures in the Classic racing calendar - a proper “must-do” meeting that regularly attracts well over 250 entries across its nine-race programme.
Among this year’s newcomers are Ste Sewell and Liam Taylor.
Ste is already no stranger to racing on the Isle of Man, having made his Classic TT debut in 2025. Liam, meanwhile, has strong Manx connections through his mum, who lives on the Island, but this will be his first time racing here.
We chat about how their preparations are going, what has drawn them to the Pre-TT, the challenge of learning the 4.25 mile course, and what they hope to take from their first Classic road race experience at Billown.
You can find Ste on Instagram here.
And here are the Link's to Liam's Facebook page and Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 

In this episode of Startline we are with Charlie Hopkins - a Yorkshireman with a love of tea, a sharp eye for an auction bargain, and a growing passion for racing on the Isle of Man.
Charlie’s journey has taken him from casual biking and pit bikes to the challenge of the Manx Grand Prix in 2025, where ambition, preparation and belief all met on the Mountain Course.
He talks honestly about what it took to get there, from the nerves and mental focus to the family reactions, the whirlwind of race week, and the support that comes from being part of the road racing community.
And, along the way, there’s the small matter of a John McGuinness picture won at auction for a fraction of what it was worth proof that sometimes Charlie’s timing is just as good off the bike as on it.
You can follow Charlie on Facebook here and Instagram here .
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 
 
 
 
 

In this episode of Startline, we meet Lorenz Rothärmel, a rider whose road racing dream has brought him from Germany to the Isle of Man and to one of the biggest challenges in the sport - the Manx Grand Prix 2026.
Lorenz shares how his passion for road racing first began, what drew him to the Mountain Course, and how he is preparing himself for the demands of racing on Manx public roads.
We talk bike set-up, physical fitness, mental calmness, and why trust in the machine matters so much when every section of the course asks something different of rider and bike.
There is also advice from experienced voices, including racing legend John McGuinness, and a real sense of the family support and personal commitment behind Lorenz’s journey - summed up perfectly by the fact that, for now, his main sponsors are himself and his Dad.
Oh and there's a bit of wedding ring drama...
You can find Lorenz on Facebook here and Instagram here.
And in this episode we also hear from TT sidecar champions Ryan and Callum Crowe, who launched their 2026 racing season at the Victory Café on the Mountain Road, as they look ahead to another huge year on three wheels.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 

In this episode of Startline, we meet a rider whose story is built on discipline, determination and a relentless drive to chase the dream.
Shane Doran is balancing two worlds that both demand absolute commitment - a career in the military, and the challenge of road racing.
And now, he’s setting his sights firmly on the Manx Grand Prix for 2026.
From early inspirations and family support, to the realities of learning the Mountain Course, Shane shares what it takes to prepare physically, mentally, and as part of a team. Because in road racing, as we know, no one gets to the start line alone.
We talk about the importance of structure and teamwork on race day, the role of sponsorship in keeping the wheels turning, and how discipline forged in military life  translates into performance on the bike.
There’s honesty too. About nerves, pressure, and the mental resilience needed to take on one of the most demanding challenges in motorsport.
You can follow Shane on his Facebook page here and on Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 

Behind every rider chasing a dream around the Mountain Course on the Isle of Man, there’s a story that goes far beyond the bike.
In this episode of Startline, we explore the vital role of sponsorship in motorcycle racing and the people who make it all possible.
Ray Goodwin joins us as a passionate supporter of Manx riders, committed to helping local talent reach the start line and take their next step in the sport. Alongside him is Sam Naughton, who was sponsored by Ray last year and who offers a rider’s perspective on what that backing, (which isn't just about finance, it might also mean helping with some DIY projects) truly means in practice.
Together, they share insights into the realities of racing on the Isle of Man - the challenges, the costs, and the community that underpins it all. We also explore how local businesses and individuals can get involved, and why this support is so crucial to the future of road racing on the Island.
You can find out more about the sponsorship opportunities for businesses on the 3Legs Motorsport website and follow them on Facebook too.
You can follow Sam's racing page on Facebook here and find Sam on Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 
 

In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Whitehall - a rider whose determination and pace mark him out as one to watch.
From the Isle of Wight and racing under WR Racing, Ryan has steadily built his road racing career since 2018. After overcoming a serious crash in 2021, he’s returned stronger, with standout performances across the roads scene.
2025 proved a breakthrough year, with Ryan securing his first Manx Grand Prix podium and joining the Tommy Club with a 120.58 mph lap.
And he is now preparing for his biggest step yet - his first ever Isle of Man TT in 2026.
You can find Ryan's YouTube channel here, and find his Facebook page here and Instagram racing page here. 
And if you're in the Omagh area and need a road sweeper - check out Ryno Sweep.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 

On the podcast today, Beth is with TT 2026 newcomer Rhys Stevenson.
At just 20 years old, Rhys has already made a serious impression in British Championship racing since making his debut in 2021, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents.
He races under the banner of his family-run team, Rocket Racing - and it really is a true family effort, with his three younger brothers also competing, and Mum Tracey and Dad Mark playing a central role in keeping everything moving both on and off the track.
When they were over on the Isle of Man to do some laps, Rhys, Mark, and team member Eddie Allen caught up with Beth to talk about how preparations are going ahead of the TT debut.
You can follow Rhys on Facebook and Instagram, and you can find the Rocket Racing Page on Facebook here.  
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email me - it's beth@startline.im 
 
 

In this episode, we meet the team without whom racing on the Isle of Man simply wouldn’t happen - the Scrutineers.
They’re the quiet guardians of the sport. The people behind the scenes who check every machine, every detail, and every rider before a wheel turns - whether that’s on the Mountain Course, the Billown Course, or out in the dirt at off-road events.
For those new to racing, scrutineering can feel like a daunting hurdle. But as you’ll hear, this is a team driven by one goal: to help riders get to the start line safely and give them the best possible chance to live out their racing dream.
Beth chats with some of the key figures on the Island:
Trevor Denning, Chief Technical Officer for the TT and Manx Grand Prix; Dave Redmayne, Chief Technical Officer for the Pre-TT and Southern 100, and Deputy for the TT and MGP; Grant Howard, Deputy Technical Officer for Pre-TT and Southern 100 and Chief for off-road events and Jo Warriner, Chief Technical Officer for the Andreas Racing Association and Deputy across the TT, MGP, Pre-TT and Southern 100.
And if you would like to be part of this amazing group of people, they would love to hear from you.
You can find them on Facebook here, or when there's a meeting at Jurby, pop up and have a chat.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email me - it's beth@startline.im 

In this episode of Startline we are with Gary Partridge from Happy Dog Image Solutions about his extraordinary career in sidecar racing - from early mishaps and European adventures to TT triumphs and overcoming injury.
Along the way this episode explores the camaraderie, risks and resilience of road racing both on the Isle of Man and further afield.
You can get in touch with Gary at Happy Dog on their website here or on Facebook.
Also - keep an eye out for news on the official 2026 Manx Grand Prix merchandise.
We also catch up in this episode with Thomas 'Uccio' Altendorfer a month on from his disappointment at not making the first MGP newcomers' weekend because of the weather in Austria.
You can follow Thomas on Instagram.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email me - it's beth@startline.im 
 
 

In this episode of Startline, brought to you by the Manx Motor Cycle Club, we hear another inspiring story of a racing dream becoming reality.
Sidecar passenger Matthew Rostron grew up surrounded by the sport, inspired by his grandad who raced sidecars at the TT.
Through determination, hard work, and the support of those around him, Matthew has carved out his own place in road racing and will be back on the Mountain Course again this year.
And as well as competing in the sidecar class at the TT, he will take on the Classic TT on two wheels, his first solo venture around the Mountain Course.
Matthew is on Facebook and Instagram, you can also follow his solo progress with the Green Ant Racing Team and his sidecar racing with Real Road Racing.
In this episode, we also head to Jurby to meet Gary Partridge, the man behind Happy Dog Image Solutions, a business that is a very familiar name in racing both on the Isle of Man and further afield.
Known for producing the official Manx Grand Prix merchandise, Gary explains the story behind the Happy Dog name and introduces the team...now including a cat...who help keep the operation running.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email me - it's beth@startline.im