Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1504322
FEATURE I 2023 ISLE OF MAN TT: PART 2 P102 here, having a little diagnostic wire work its way loose and short out by rubbing on the rear tire is a kick in the nuts. At least the BMW is good enough to dump me at the entry to Ballaugh Bridge where there's a pub and plenty of people who want to buy me a pint. Back in the pits, the boys strip the BMW down and find the culprit wire. It's often said a five-cent washer can ruin a race and that's never been more evident than at the TT. This place beats the abso - lute crap out of a motorcycle, and I know the failure wasn't down to anything other than just bad luck. Still, seeing as we have the day off tomorrow the crew and I head out to the local Bar 1886 for a few commiserating drinks. FAREWELL, MY FRIEND T he dangers of the Isle of Man are well known, but it still doesn't make it any easier when one of our own falls. Raul Torras Martinez, Spain's premier road racer, lost his life on the final lap of the first Super- twins race on Tuesday, June 6, when he crashed at the daunting Alpine corner. Raul was the 267th victim of the race. He was 46. Torras and I had two close battles during both the Super- sport TTs in 2022, so we got to know each other well, if only as track buddies. In 2023, my Wilson Craig Honda team was directly opposite his, and we spoke many times of the troubles we were both facing with our machines. Raul had a narrow escape when his Aprilia, the one he eventually passed on, dumped oil on his rear tire at Union Mills on his first lap of practice. I'm still unsure how he got away with that one. When I switched to the Kibosh Racing Team, Raul's chair and mine were back-to-back in the hot pit. We'd shake hands each time we were due to go out on track and wish each other luck with a solid look in each other's eyes. It was a very strange feeling when I approached my chair for the second Superstock TT and he wasn't there. Raul was a very focused man and the fastest Spaniard ever to lap the TT Mountain Course. Ear- lier on what would turn out to be his final day, he'd just set a new benchmark of 125.470 mph in the first Superstock TT, and I've no doubt that mark would have been set higher had he continued for the remainder of the event. Raul loved the TT and the Mountain Course and chose the island as his final resting place, when a funeral procession was held on Wednesday, June 21, where his casket completed a full lap of the course while being ac- companied by hundreds of street motorcyclists. God speed, Raul. See you on the other side, my friend. Raul Torras Martinez was a late starter to road racing but contin- ued to build speed at the TT. Happy days with a Finisher's Medal in the first Superstock TT.