Journey to a Dream
The Isle of Man is heralded as the road racing capital of the world, but what does it actually take for riders to get here? Beth Espey finds out
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Episodes
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Journey to a Dream - Gary Radcliffe
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
In this episode we join Gary Radcliffe whose biking career started very early with a bucket and sponge. It sparked in him a life long passion for the sport, and following his own success he now helps to inspire and coach future racers through the race school run by the Andreas Racing Association.As you'll hear - it's never too late if you've always thought you wanted to give it a go and listen until the end to hear what question you need to ask Gary if you see him...If you'd like to be part of the podcast, I would love to hear from you - you can email bethespey@manxradio.comJourney to a Dre...
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Journey to a Dream - Davo Johnson
Friday, 27 September 2024
Get ready for an exciting episode with one of the brightest personalities in the racing paddock!Our guest, Davo Johnson, may have faced some tough challenges over the past couple of years, but his unshakable determination and resilience make him a true standout.A powerhouse on the track and a natural behind the mic, there’s no doubt Davo has plenty more thrilling chapters ahead in his racing journey.In this episode, Davo takes us back to his early days, walks us through the highs and lows of his career, and reveals the powerful motto that keeps him going.Want to follow Davo’s journey? Check...
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Journey to a Dream - The Russell Roberts Partnership!
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
In this episode, we catch up with two familiar faces who have big plans for 2025! Michael ‘Jack’ Russell and Jake Roberts return to share their thrilling journey as a sidecar duo. They dive into what inspired them to team up, the unforgettable feeling of landing on the podium, and how much your support truly means to them.Stay updated on their progress by following them on Facebook, and if you missed their previous interviews, you can listen to Jack's here and Jake's recorded in October last year, here.A huge thank you to SPJ Photography for the action-packed photo of the duo—we can’t wait ...
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Seeing both sides - Derran Slous
Friday, 6 September 2024
The guest for this episode of Journey to a Dream is Derran Slous, a Travelling Marshal and former racer who has seen and experienced many different aspects of the sport he loves.Derran is able to sum up what goes on in the mind of so many racers and shares some very poignant memories with us.He also has some very well-known nephews and just wait until you hear how he tried to convince people he didn't have a broken leg...when he clearly did.His TM colleague Jonathan Woodwood is a former podcast guest and he is behind the TT Travelling Marshals YouTube channel which you need to have a look a...
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Damian Horan (that's not what his brother calls him...)
Tuesday, 20 August 2024
A really insightful look into what makes a road racer tick with Damian Horan in this episode.After nearly a decade competing on the Isle of Man, what keeps him coming back to the MGP, what does the support he receives mean to him and what does his brother call him?He also talks movingly about his friend and mentor Davy Morgan and that's who you can see Damian pictured with here.You can follow Damian's progress on his racing Facebook page.And if you would like to be part of the podcast you can email bethespey@manxradio.com
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The Billy Redmayne Memorial Fund
Monday, 19 August 2024
A special episode about the Billy Redmayne Memorial Fund, which every year supports newcomers in the Manx Grand Prix.Billy, who was also a soldier, was a hugely talented Manx rider - he won the Newcomers MGP in 2014 and the Junior MGP a year later.Sadly he died in a racing incident in Scarborough in 2016.Here, Billy's dad Dave joins Beth along with the four riders the fund is supporting for 2024 - Aidan Cleary, Damien Crook, Calum Pert and Tim Walsh.You can listen back to Damien's first Journey to a Dream podcast recorded back in March.There's also the beautiful book Billy's Mum wrote in hi...
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Ian Soilleux - Back for that replica!
Friday, 16 August 2024
Ian Soilleux is Beth's guest on Journey to a Dream today.Having started racing in 1993 - road racing on the Isle of Man was something he never even considered, until a visit to watch TT at St Ninian's made him think again.Ian's been involved in every aspect of racing, from competing himself and coaching riders, to marshalling and being a team boss.2024 sees his return to the MGP and we wish him every success for this year - and keep listening to the end to find out who is Ian's artist of choice to listen to before he heads out on the bike...Keep up to date with how Ian and BD Racing are doi...
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Grant Thomson - with special thanks to mum
Wednesday, 7 August 2024
Grant Thomson joins us for this Journey to a Dream episode.He talks us through where his love of bikes started, when he made the decision that he wanted to race on the roads…and what his mum had to say about that initially, what the support of his girlfriend and his boss Si Fulton means to him, and how things stand after what was hugely successful first Southern 100 this year.If you would like to follow Grant’s progress as he looks ahead to hopefully competing for the MGP for the first time in 2025, you can find his racing page on Facebook here.And if you would like to be part of the podcas...
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John McBride
Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Today's Journey to a Dream guest will need little introduction to those involved in motorcycle racing on the Isle of Man.John McBride dreamt of sitting on the start line as a young child, having been a scout on the scoreboard.Not only did he achieve that dream, but he's gone on to become an integral part of motor racing on the Isle of Man.John is Chair of the Manx Motor Cycle Club - you can find out more about the club here.He's also part of the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club, which as you will hear will hold its AGM during MGP 2024 - you can find their Facebook Page here.They're also hold...
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Milky's kid behind the (handle) bars
Wednesday, 24 July 2024
One of the interviewees here will need very little introduction to Manx racing fans and the other is making a name for himself already.Richard 'Milky' Quayle and his son Illiam are Beth's guests in this episode, where among other things we learn what it's like when the parent is the teacher, how the nickname Milky came about and why you should always follow your dream.You can keep up to date with Illiam's racing on the Manx Legend Racing Facebook pageIf you would like to be part of the Journey to Dream podcast, you can email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Michael 'Jack' Russell
Tuesday, 16 July 2024
Michael 'Jack' Russell recorded this podcast fresh from a sidecar podium at the Southern 100 2024 with his passenger - former Journey to a Dream guest Jake Roberts.This is a tale of following your dream in its purest form and as we'll hear, for Jack, the Isle of Man really is his spiritual home. You can follow the progress of Jack with Russell Racing here.If you'd like to be a guest on a future podcast, you can email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Founds and Gale reunited!
Friday, 12 July 2024
Recorded on location in the not so sunny Isle of Man during Southern 100 2024, Beth talks to Des Founds and Dicky Gale, the sidecar duo who rocked the Mountain Course - and further afield - during the 1990s.Expect the unexpected here...including tales of chickens, schnapps and tomatoes.But above all, it's a story of friendship and a real love for their sport and the Island.If you would like to hear Dicky's podcast with his sons Jim and Ben recorded ahead of their Southern 100 debut this year, you can find that one here.
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Sam West
Monday, 8 July 2024
Sam West is a top international road racer who has competed all over the world and had some great success so far - although we get the feeling the best is yet to come.In this episode we hear about why motorcycle racing wasn't on the cards in his early years and why his love for ice cream is much greater than his love for pheasants...You can find out about Sam's business Motohub here and follow his progress on his Facebook page.If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast - you can email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Jonathan Woodward
Thursday, 4 July 2024
Former MGP competitor and current TT and MGP Travelling Marshal Jonathan Woodward is Beth's guest in this episode.Again, describing with emotive honesty the highs and lows of racing, Jonathan offers us a glimpse into what his job entails and reveals why he's the reason one competitor decided not to come back to race over here...You can find the link to the TT Travelling Marshals YouTube channel here and if you fancy having a go in the full size car simulator we talk about, find a link to The Sim Centre's Facebook page here.If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, you can email bethespey...
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Dave Madsen-Mygdal
Thursday, 27 June 2024
What's it like to have the most starts on the Mountain Course? Dave offers a unique insight into the sport he loves so much, a sport which has given him some incredible highs and devastating lows.If you want to follow Dave - you can find his Facebook page here.To find the documentary about his career which will help support getting it to a film festival, find the link here.To share your story, email bethespey@manxradio.com
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The Gales - Dicky, Jim and Ben
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Ahead of their first Southern 100, we speak to Jim and Ben Gale from Team BSR Sidecar.We also joined by their dad Dicky, who has some brilliant tales about he got started...Follow the team's progress on their Facebook here and you can find their YouTube channel here - you'll want to check out a certain video that's mentioned...We wish them all the best for the Southern 100.
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Maria Costello MBE
Monday, 3 June 2024
From scooters to start lines, Maria Costello MBE on her racing career, inspiring other women to consider racing and almost missing one of the most important events of her life...You can keep up to date with Maria's racing career here.If you want to share your story, email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Dave Rigby
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
What is it really like being a privateer taking on the TT?Isle of Man rider Dave Rigby talks to us about making the leap from MGP, the financial cost, the importance of sponsors and donkeys...You can follow Dave's progress here If you want to share your story, email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Joe Yeardsley
Friday, 24 May 2024
Joe Yeardsley on babies, bikes and what success at TT 2024 would look like for him.You can follow Joe's progress here (2) FacebookTo share your story, email bethespey@manxradio.com
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Jim Hunter
Thursday, 18 April 2024
It doesn't matter which part of the world you go to, the common love of bikes brings people together - Jim Hunter on being a Travelling Marshal, supporting the Cain Road Races in Mexico, following in the charitable footsteps of his hero, playing truant and DIY... You can find out more about The Mike Hailwood Foundation here and if you're at the Grandstand over TT, you're more than welcome to pop in. Enjoy this selection of photographs Jim has kindly shared with us
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Damien Crook
Monday, 25 March 2024
If it's in your blood...it's in your blood. Damien Crook on motorcycle racing as he aims for the MG 2024 start line... Keep up to date with Danien's progress on his racing page here.
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Chris Kinley
Friday, 15 March 2024
Chris 'the chain's off' Kinley gives us an insight into what's it like behind the microphone and says there's something he's always wanted to do....
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Ryan Garside
Wednesday, 6 March 2024
Entering TT 2024? I kinda did it by accident...Ryan Garside. But will he make it to the start line? If you can help you can get in touch with Ryan here.
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Marcus Simpson
Friday, 9 February 2024
For six months you race, for six months you get ready to race - Marcus Spartacus' Simpson #23 Find out more about Marcus and how you can support him here. (Thank you to David Purves for some of these photographs)
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Anthony and Aron Redmond
Thursday, 28 December 2023
I didn't realise normal people could race motorbikes - Father and son Anthony and Aron Redmond on living the dream. You can find out more about Red Demon Racing here. https://www.youtube.com/@reddemonracing https://www.youtube.com/@reddemonracing
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Linda Alton-Heath
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Racer, motorcross mum, IOM sports Administrator of the Year, Chair of Andreas Racing Association - Linda Alton-Heath (AKA Superwoman!) You can find the Andreas Racing Facebook page here.
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Dave Moffitt
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
From racing to recovery - Dave Moffitt takes us through his career and looks ahead to 2024. If you would like to find out more about the Andreas Racing Association, you can find the website here and their Facebook page here
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Neal Champion
Thursday, 16 November 2023
Riding the Mountain Course is like putting your brain through a washing machine - Neal Champion on his own career and being part of the home of club racing on the Isle of Man. You can find out more about the Andreas Racing Association here.
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Jake Roberts
Monday, 30 October 2023
We're people pleasers as sidecar passengers - Jake Roberts and his fiancée Abi Taylor on his first TT and the long winter ahead. Keep up to date with how Jake is getting on here.
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Carolynn Sells
Friday, 22 September 2023
I never think there's anything I can't do - Carolynn Sells on her record-breaking racing career.