RAPID COACH DAVE HEWSON TALKS TT ‘22

After a global pandemic-enforced break of two years, the Isle of Man TT returns this year, and Rapid coach Dave Hewson is going back, armed with a BMW S1000RR and Aprilia RS660 and looking to better his 123mph lap from 2019. We had a quick catchup before he boards the Steampacket ferry to ‘the Island’.

“My first TT was in 2007,” Dave reflects, “And this has been the longest break between TTs. That first lap of practice might be a bit steadier, but I think it’ll all come flooding back once you get started. The really fast guys will be straight on it, I’m sure.

“But I’m looking forward to it. I went over the other week to do some laps on a road bike, I’ve watched onboards again, I’ve done my prep, but you’re never sure you’re ready. But it’s probably better that way around than to think you’re ready and you’ve done enough to find out you haven’t. Better to err on the side of caution.”

Though it’s been a two-year break from TT competition, Dave’s been riding and racing regularly enough in between, and this year has done plenty of laps in preparation.

“I’ve done a few No Limits meetings, some North Gloucester rounds, so I’ve spent time on the bikes, plus track days and test days, so though I’ve not set off down Glencrutchery Road for a while, I’ve had bike time.”

At this year’s TT Dave will be making his debut in the Supertwins class, riding the new Aprilia RS660.

“We originally planned to do the Supertwins class in 2020 and had a CF Moto to do it on, but obviously the event was cancelled for the next two years and we sold the bike. The Aprilia’s a good thing. It’s got a proper chassis and the standard motor with a pipe makes good power. You compare that to the Kawasakis and they’re heavily tuned to get the power.

“It’s just not viable for a privateer. The rules are more open than the superbike class, so people can spend a fortune on the engines. Hopefully, with the Aprilia, we’ve got a bike that makes the power in standard trim which not only keeps the costs down, it should be more reliable, too.

“What it is missing compared to those bikes is the torque, it needs to rev, so could spend a bit of time on the limiter. It’s also really hard to get parts for them at the moment, so we’ve bought another road bike that we’re taking as a rolling spares package, in case we need to cannibalise bits from it. But it rides really nicely and I’m excited to race it.”

Dave will again be entering the Superstock, Superbike, and Senior TTs on a BMW S1000RR, and is looking to improve on his 123mph lap.

“It’s a stock-spec BM, but for the Superbike and Senior TTs we fit different wheels, brakes, and tyres. It’s going to be tricky this year, with more entries than starting spots available, so, there will be some that don’t qualify and don’t race. I expect to qualify but it means you’ve got to get a good time in in practice week.

“I’ve got a target in my head, but I don’t say it out loud. That way the only pressure is from myself. And even if people don’t put pressure on me I know they’re looking for it, and I don’t like that. This way it’s only my target and I’m the only pressure.”

Like every circuit, a racer has their favourite bits and their least favourite bits, and for Dave it’s no different with the Mountain Course.

“The end of Cronk-y-Voddy,” he says when we ask. “If you get it right it’s flat, on the stop, it’s so fast and so rewarding.”

And the least?

“13th milestone; it disappears under trees, it’s an awkward corner, awkward entry.”

Despite riding race bikes flat out, disobeying every rule of the road going, Dave insists there are crossovers to riding high performance bikes on the road.

“Obviously it’s not the same as a Sunday blast or weekend tour with mates, obviously you’re not going as fast and all those things, but it’s still riding a motorbike and there are crossovers that transfer over.

“I’d say the biggest is forward vision, looking up and as far ahead as possible. It’s essentially planning ahead, and the further in advance you can plan the slower everything feels and the more time you have. With this, it doesn’t matter what speed you’re doing, the more information you have and the earlier you have it, the better.

“That’s why track coaching can absolutely make you a better road rider, and teach you skills that transfer across.”

Practice for this year’s Isle of Man TT begins on Sunday 29 May, with racing starting on Saturday 4 June. The Senior TT brings the event to a close on Friday 10 June.

Track coach Dave, in his element, at Rapid’s home circuit Blyton Park.

Find out more about Rapid track day courses here.