Steve Parrish
Parrish’s take on all things bike-racing.
Wow, we’re almost in summer, aren’t we! Or apparently, anyway. I’ve just spent the day at the Ron Haslam Race School, and it was absolutely pissing down, which was a real shame because I love the place. Trouble is, I’m too old to be getting wet on a bike nowadays, so between us I had more fun playing in the charity golf game with Leon Haslam a couple of days before. All about the high life I am!
Which is exactly why I’ve been blasting about on my Indian, starting with a charity ride out a couple of weeks back. Now don’t take the mick, but I absolutely love it. Heated seats, comfort and effortless burnouts! The only thing I need to keep it going is a siren like I had on the old hearse. Now that certainly made a few people sit up and take notice. Who doesn’t love taking the piss though? See, I’ve got a fake parrot that shouts out whatever I want, so I decided to have a little bit of fun with it last week and put in a few ‘twats’ and other words here and there. It turns out that it became pretty famous, and before long it looked like walkers were coming along
just to see this bloody bright-coloured parrot! Mind you, all this dicking about has just been keeping me going until it’s time to get back out on the road.
I’m just gearing up for the North West 200, which will be finished by the time you read this, but I’m bloody excited. I’m really hoping Glenn Irwin can turn his fortunes back around as he’s really been struggling in BSB. I think they’ve just been going round in circles, which is a real shame, especially as we know he’s a good jockey. The North West could make his season, but then again, when you’ve got Seeley on one of those rocketship Ducatis, there’s no telling what will happen. And then it’s all systems go for the TT! I’m incredibly impressed with how those new BMWs have been getting on, and with Hicky and Dunlop on board it’s going to be pretty special. Mind you, to be going the speed they were last year, we’re going to need to be really lucky with the weather. I’d be surprised if we were blessed with the same sunshine as we were in 2018, but mind you, stranger things have happened.
I mean, look at Quatararo and his blistering pace in MotoGP! Who’d have thought that for a second? Being the youngest guy to stick it on pole is no mean feat, and then to go that quick at the test is really incredible. The guy has a bright future in front of him if he can hold it together – just like Rins has on the Suzuki. I’m absolutely delighted to see those guys pull some results out the bag. Let’s just see if they can keep it up all year against Marquez, who now has a bloody good bike underneath him.