1999 marked the first time in almost 80 years that a organized team from America competed at the Isle of Man. To quote the team founder, Dwight Mitchell, "Last year I raced the Isle of Man TT races for the first time and it was a tremendous experience. While there I discovered there are a number of team awards to be won by international entrants. I started Team USA with the intention of capturing an ACU International Team Award. This is awarded is given to a 3 person team not affiliated with the ACU who complete the total distance of the race in the shortest aggregate time. There were 792 entries from 20 countries at this year's TT, and we won the award on Wednesday of race week in the Junior / 600 Supersport race. Kawasaki Team Green sponsors me, and I was riding a ZX-6R, Garett King a Pompton Honda F4, and Steve John a Padgett Kawasaki ZX-6R."

BRAY HILL,You keep it wide open from the top all the way to the bottom? You are at top speed before you start descending and NEVER roll off the throttle? All the way??? Welcome to the ISLE OF MAN.
My first laps were in a car with Dwight Mitchell driving (on the left side). We discussed turn in points, racing lines, and where and for how long you keep it wide open. Now for the moment of truth, taking a lap on my Pompton Honda CBR F4. Joining me on my maiden voyage was Dwight and a threesome of local riders; Jeff, Mike, and Matt. Unlike a lot of the U.S. street guys who only know how to do a wheelie, a burnout and a 160 mph "fly-by" on a straight highway, these guys know how to ride.
A few things to keep in mind: ride on the left, there is oncoming traffic, and be aware that speed limits do exist on about half the course. All of these will disappear when the official practice week starts May 31.
We take off and after passing our first no speed limit sign we immediately pick up the pace a bit. Before I know it we are at Ballacrain heading for Kirk Michael.
Ooooover Ballaugh bridge (got some air!) and heading for Ramsey. After Parliament Square we see the famous sign, and it is flashing, FOG! Up into the clouds we ride, anticipating the Mountain Mile. Rain, fog and wind, I received it all on my fist mountain pass. Flying down towards the Creg-Ny-Baa and Brandish Corner I confirm redline is accessible in sixth gear on my F4.
Knowing where you are and what is next is crucial at the Isle. The slight squeezing of my brake before certain corners tells me I need more practice. I am told, "you are right where your supposed to be." Something else I thought of as my upper body was slamming the tank, "How come it looks so smooth on video?"
We enter Governers Bridge confirming our lap is all but complete. The opening of Governers Bridge also confirms: The TT races are here for 1999!

The best way to describe The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Races (TT) is to take Daytona and add in Mardi Gras. It is two weeks, or as the English say, a fortnight, of motorcycles and motorcycle events.
The TT has been going on since 1907, and has evolved into the largest and toughest race of any kind in the world. Unlike the road racing in the states, the course is actually normal roads going through city streets and over country roads. Thirty-seven and three quarter miles is the length and 220 is the turn count of just one lap. To qualify, your average speed per lap must be over 100 MPH. Your Guardian Angel has to be fast.
To say racing the TT was a dream would be a lie. I knew of the TT, even thought I would do well there, but didn't think it would ever be within a dream's reach. Enter Kawasaki Team Green Rider Dwight Mitchell, a friend and racing partner. After the 1997 racing season, Dwight used his AMA Amateur National Championship status to turn Pro and enter the 1998 Isle of Man TT. He finished respectably and turned his sights to the 1999 TT, where he hoped to win the ACU International Team Award. I was honored and grateful when Dwight asked me to be on the team. The skills that earned me three AMA Amateur National Championships would be needed and tested.
I arrived a week prior to practice/qualifying week. This allows for shipping delays, bike prepping and a chance to practice the course before the stopwatches are clicked on. With POMPTON HONDA and visa's help, my weapon of choice is a 1999 Honda F4. I have raced only Hondas and never had a "did not finish" or DNF due to a mechanical failure. You don't want to breakdown where a lap is 37 miles, my ALPINESTAR boots and gloves are very comfortable, but 37 miles is a bit long.
Monday 5AM, the first practice session is about to begin. It is delayed 15 minutes because of wet roads. The 98 TT, better known as the wettest TT ever, is on my mind. The session is not timed but gives me the opportunity to use both sides of the road. Monday night's session is dry and I click off a 99-MPH lap. Enough to be in the field as long as I wear my orange newcomers vest. Tuesday is better and I turn in a 100+ lap, I'm in and don't have to wear that vest! To qualify is a huge relief. To be in by Tuesday is an accomplishment. All the practice laps Dwight and I did paid off. By Friday I am the fifth fastest newcomer turning in laps of 103+ MPH.
Mad Sunday...a day of rest, NOT! The road over the mountain has no speed limits but has two way traffic every day of the year except today. It is one-way from Ramsey to Signpost. For the locals and the visitors, it is an opportunity to experience the seven most thrilling miles in the world. I can't resist and ride a lap with Pete, Mike and Brendan, three people who have been helping me in different ways since I arrived at the Isle. With the sun setting, at 10 PM, we head to downtown Douglas. The Promenade, near Bushys, is packed all night with people waiting to see what kind of craziness will happen. They are not disappointed and a plethora of wheelies, burnouts, stoppies, and streakers keeps the crowd entertained. This madness continues for the remainder of the TT. The police only intervene when it gets totally out of control, which is rare.
The day before my race there is only one thing to do, head down to the Ramsey Sprints and see what kind of times my bike will run on the 1/8 mile track. The sprints are like drag racing except there is a slight bend about halfway down the track and the crowd expects you to showoff as you return for another run. My experience with the "friction zone" (MSF course lingo) pays off and I lay down a 7.53 at 102 MPH. That time is good enough for fifth place. The ride home provides my first opportunity see a part of the isle other then the course. It is Beautiful!
Wednesday...race day! Taking my place on the starting grid my heart is racing. The VANSON leather's custom fit and "pro-perf" ventilation is greatly appreciated now. Michelle and Emma do their best to shield me from the sun with the umbrella. I get the wave of the flag and take off towards Bray Hill. No more rolling off the throttle around certain corners now! The FACTORY jet kit works flawlessly, thanks to Bob Guerra.
I left the speedo connected and can't help but look at it...140 MPH going through the town of Kirk Micheal and 160+ going down Sulby straight! The first and only pit stop comes after the second lap. I pull in, Wayne Apple; my pit crew chief has it all under control. After a splash of gas, swig of water, and a quick helmet swap, it is back out for the final two laps. My third and fourth laps are smooth. The AVON tyres are holding up well. As I head out of Ramsey and up the mountain it starts to kick in, my last lap, don't make any stupid mistakes. I stay well in reserve. All three of the team members must finish to be eligible for the team award.
As I go through the Verandah for the last time at about 140 MPH something else kicks in this is my last lap on this great course for at least another year. Down the mountain and heading for the checkered flag a sense of accomplishment fills me. I am greeted with thumbs ups and cheers from the fans as I turn into the pits. As I pass the main grandstand a roar comes from the crowd. I say to myself, "wow, the crowd really gets into it", but then notice the winner, Jim Moodie (on a Honda F4), just popped the Champagne! With the largest smile of my life, I hand the bike over to Wayne and look for a phone to call the future wife to say I am ok and that I DID IT! Now safe and sound, I give Dave L, my guardian angel, some well deserved time off.
All three members of the team finished. Dwight, Stephen and I look over our lap times while waiting for the final results. On the fourth lap, when I was supposed to be taking it easy, I turned in a 105-MPH lap, good enough to earn fourth fastest newcomer. Was it good enough to help the team get what we came for? We wouldn't find out until the awards dinner, but an official told us to be there. Almost all the awards were given out when it was time to present the ACU International Team Award. And the winners were...TEAM USA!
It felt great and when the microphone was handed to me all I could say was, "Time of my life!" After it was handed back to me again I remembered to say thanks to the American and locals who helped out and my sponsors, Pompton Honda, Vanson Leathers, Alpinestar Boots and Gloves, Avon tyres, Factory Jet Kits, EBC Brakes, Penske shocks, Lockhart Phillips, and Yoshimura exhaust . A special thanks to Dwight for putting the team together and his help in getting me over there and up to speed. TT-2000????
After the race I had one more challenge. To complete the task special gear was necessary. It's Thursday night, a little cold but since the bike was being crated Friday for return shipment home, it was now or never. Half Nine, photographers in position, I make my entrance. The cool wind that is whipping my Kaptain Kaos Kape, is also freezing my bare chest. Onto the Promenade, I stop and urge the crowd on. To warm the AVON tyre I do a blazing, rev-limiter popping burnout, adjust my thong, and then rip a three-gear wheelie! On my return, the crowd thanks me and the nice officer calls me over to him.
He asks, "Are you cold yet?"I answer, "Getting there!"His reply, "You had your fun, now go home!""One more?""No, go home!" Pulling away I chatter to myself, "I love this place." The races, the people, and the atmosphere make it the biggest and best motorcycle event in the world...no argument!

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