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IAN SIMPSON
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All pictures kindly supplied by Bill Snelling of FoTTofinders
Ian Simpson
has been there and done it all, in the world of Motor Cycle Racing. Three TT
wins, two Ulster Grand Prix wins, five North West 200 wins plus numerous British
Championship success’s are just some of the impressive statistics Ian has on
his CV.
But now at
the age of 31, due to a serious accident at the start of this season, the
likeable Scot has had to hang up his leathers for good.
We spoke to
him from his home in Dalbeattie and asked him to reflect over his career and
asked him about that awful accident that brought an untimely end to his career.
Ian,
thank you for taking the time to speak with us first of all.
No problem.
So
that’s it, you have finished racing for good?
Aye, I’m
finished really because of my right leg. It’s twisted and it needs another
operation to straighten it up and it’s about an inch and a half shorter than
my left leg as well. It would be too hard to get the strength back into it, I
mean I would still love to race, but I always said that if I wasn’t going to
be quick enough, I’d give up.
Tell
us about the accident. Can you recall any details of what happened?
Aye, I can
remember all right. We had a few silly problems with the bike and I’d only
qualified in eleventh and I was so mad with myself for being that far down. I
started getting through them, but I could see Jim Moodie and Kirk McArthy
pulling away and I was getting really frustrated getting held up by a couple of
guys in front of me and down I went.
If
you hadn’t have crashed do you think you would have been in with a shout for
the Championship?
Definitely,
I would say so. I always have been before.
And
what about your injuries, how serious were they?
Well I broke
the bottom of both legs and the top of my right leg. I broke my legs in 92, 95
and 99 so it’s the fourth time it’s happened.
Has
the rehabilitation been difficult for you?
Yeah, my
right leg will never be right again now because like I said before it’s nearly
two inches shorter than the left one and it’s rotated 45 degrees as well. They
did a brilliant job of putting it back together at all, because they were going
to amputate it at one stage. I don’t really like talking about my injuries too
much…
Of
course
All
right, you’ve had a wonderful career albeit shorter than expected. I would
like to ask you more about the old days if I may? When did you start racing?
I started
when I was sixteen in 86 and I went British Championship racing in 88.
Obviously
with your father, Bill, being a successful rider before you, it must have been
hard to resist the temptation of starting racing yourself?
Yeah I
always wanted to race.
Who
were your Motor Cycling Heroes when you were younger?
Joey was
probably my biggest hero. He was the boy. But people like Rob Mcelnae and in the
later years people like Niall Mackenzie.
Your
Isle of Man TT and North West 200 victories must have been some of the
highlights of your career, but which race in particular is your most memorable?
Err, there
are races people probably wouldn’t remember except myself but I can remember a
British Championship 600 Race at Oulton Park in 91. That was the hardest I’ve
probably ever rode a bike I think.
Who
were you racing against that day?
I won it,
second was a dice between Carl Fogarty, Jim Moodie, Phil Boorley and Mark
Farmer. It was a good race because I ended up winning it by about 6-8 seconds
and broke the lap record, which was 1:40.4 at the time, wasn’t beat for a good
few years. I mean if you look at 600’s going round Oulton now, there’s
people on much better bikes with 25 Horse Power more on better tyres still not
doing 1:40.
I can
remember that day losing the front and then the back on just about every single
corner.
On
the subject of the TT, the future of the event is looking under serious threat
at the moment. What are your views on the situation?
I would say
definitely because, I mean I would never slate the TT. I’ve had the most
enjoyable times riding bikes at the TT. It’s an incredible buzz and incredibly
good fun, but it’s so dangerous and I’ve lost friends, very very good
friends who lost their lives there and I’ll never forget that.
As far as
the date clash goes, I think it’s absolutely scandalous that the clash has
occurred with the British Championship. Whether you’re a TT fan or not, and I
obviously am, I think it’s down to pure greed. It’s the only explanation.
The TT only takes up two weekends, so I’m sure they could organise it so there
was no clash.
And it’s
not just a problem for the riders; there are the spectators, marshals a hell of
a lot of mechanics from the short circuits that help out lads at the TT. Then
there’s the teams like V&M and Honda Britain and Vimto that do both plus
Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Regina Chains and Padgett’s, just about everyone
does both.
Whoever
makes these decisions obviously doesn’t know the first thing about bike
racing. If you don’t know any better, you may think short circuit racing is
one thing and road racing is another, but it’s not like that. It’s all the
same people really
It baffles
me. How can they even contemplate clashing the dates like that?
Can
I ask you about Joey Dunlop? You raced against him many times during your career
and I’m sure you respected him an awful lot. What sort of impact do you think
his passing had on the sport and what were your views personally?
Well the TT
isn’t going to be the same again. When the news got through I was really
really sad. I think it’s all been said before. Motorbikes can be a hell of a
cruel thing and I think that’s what makes them….
I’m
honoured to say that Joey was my friend. We had some good laughs together and
that.
Other
than Joey, which rider that you have ridden against do you respect the most?
Well I’ve
had a million dices with Jim Moodie over the years. Every time you get your head
down and ride as hard as you can for about ten laps and then you look over your
shoulder and that bloody purple helmet would still be right up your arse.
You
must be quite close with Jim. Do you know if he’ll be at the TT next year?
I don’t
know. His contract will be for the British Championship so that will come first
and the TT second. But like I’ve said there’s no need for that to happen.
So
changing the subject slightly, tell us what you are up to now. I believe
you’ve opened a shop?
Aye, I’ve
got a wee shop. It sells stuff like Quicksilver and Oxbow sports gear. It’s
called Sport 22 and it’s in Michael Street in Dumfries.
And
what about the Rallying?
I’ve had
rally cars for about five years now. I just do a few rallies in the winter for a
laugh. I’ve got a mark 2 Escort with a 16 Valve Vauxhall Engine in it.
John
Crawford is into it as well. He’s got a Sunbeam with the same engine as me in
it. It’s really good fun with no pressure.
And
what does the future hold for you Ian?. Are you going to continue to be involved
with Motor Cycle Racing?
A couple of
teams have spoke to us about running a Supersport team. I can’t really talk
too much about sponsors etc but I think my dad and me will be back involved with
the sport next year.
Excellent.
Well thanks for speaking to us; it’s been a great interview….
No problem I
love talking about Road Racing. I’m like you, I love it and it’s great to
watch and people who slag it, and have never seen it, well, I don’t think they
realise what they’re missing. The Atmosphere at Road Races is second to none.
Yeah,
I’m born and bread Manx but I love Ireland myself for the racing. It’s so
accessible over there.
Yeah
Irelands the best place I’ve ever raced. The atmosphere and the people, the
Irish are so knowledgeable about the sport.
They
certainly are.
My pleasure
anytime…
And
I hope we’ll see you at Skerries sat on the hedge next year….
(Laughs)
Maybe, Maybe
Interview
by Paul Phillips. Special thanks to Kev and Col from Moose Racing Global Inc