Pair put region on map with IOM win

NORTH road racers Richard Charlton and David McConnachy put the region on the map last week when they took first and second in one of the Southern 100 races at the Isle of Man.

The pair crossed the line around five seconds apart in Tuesday night’s Corlett’s Trophies 600/1000 B Race, both aboard 600cc machinery.

Charlton, of Tow Law in County Durham and McConnachy of Cramlington, Northumberland, beat a number of riders on 1000cc bikes in the second race of this year’s event.

Charlton had qualified on pole aboard his Yamaha R6, while McConnachy started behind him in fourth, also aboard an R6, in the race, which featured all of the riders who hadn’t been able to qualify for the earlier race won by TT hero Michael Dunlop.

At the start, Charlton got a clean getaway as McConnachy rocketed off the line up into second place as Yorkshire’s Gavin Lupton settled into third on the opening lap of the seven lap scrap.

By the time the race had reached the halfway mark, Charlton and McConnachy were running 15 seconds clear of the field, with Charlton two seconds ahead.

But the leader seemed to have a little extra up his sleeve, as he began to slowly creep away from his rival, and by the end of the penultimate lap had eked out a five second cushion.

McConnachy had nothing left in the tank and had to settle for second as the flag fell a lap later, with Lupton third a massive 30 seconds back.

Charlton was so delighted at his win and the fact he had McConnachy had beaten a number of 1000s, he accidentally let rip with an expletivefilled speech while interviewed live by Manx Radio, and was forced to apologise the next day for potentially offending the worldwide listening audience.

But he wasn’t able to disguise his joy. “I’m one happy chap today,” he said “I’m really happy with that performance. Getting first and standing on the podium felt mint, massive thanks to everyone who has got me here.”

McConnachy meanwhile, was equally pleased with his result in just his second ever visit to the event.

“What a race,” he said. “I dug deep in the first three to four laps as I knew I would suffer in the end. I managed to get past the 1000cc bikes into the first corner and then sat behind Richard.

“I tried to stay consistent and in the last few laps I had literally nothing left.

“I didn’t realise we were so far ahead, and after the injuries from Scarborough and not expecting to race this week, I’m really happy to come away with the podium. Well done to Richard, he did the North East proud.”