This past weekend saw Dougie Lampkin continue to add to his ever-growing list of Motorcycling titles and records by adding yet another incredible achievement as he successfully managed to wheelie his factory Vertigo continuously around the entire Isle of Man TT Course. Working in conjunction with the ACU, one of the countries leading Promoters, G2F Media, called upon the ACU for their knowledge of the famous Isle of Man course.
The planning and preparations of over seven months hard work would see the twelve times Trial World Champion and his team specially modify a bike for the challenge and endure months of physical training.
Lampkin was looking to become the first ever person to complete the 37.7 mile course on just one wheel and to make the challenge even harder it was to be shown live on Red Bull TV. But the whole challenge was put into doubt and almost ended before it began when the famous Isle of Man weather and gale force winds forced the challenge to be postponed until Sunday evening.
On Sunday evening Lampkin was able to set off down Bray Hill at 5pm and attempt this unique challenge and following over one and a half hours of riding Lampkin emerged back onto the famous Glencrutchery Road where the finish line lay in wait for one of Britain's most famous Motorcyclists.
The whole challenge was anything but plain sailing for the multi World Champion as heavy rain at Glen Helen, an oncoming bus at Kirk Michael and trouble at the Gooseneck where he nearly dropped the front wheel were just some of the incidents he had to overcome. But the toughest test was to be the 40mph plus gusts of winds across the Mountain section of the course but with great skill Lampkin crossed the finish line with great delight and relief before being greeted by his team.
Speaking after achieving his goal an unusually emotional Dougie said. "That feels amazing. It was so tough out there, the wind was much stronger than we expected on the mountain and really put the whole thing in doubt. To be the first person to wheelie around the TT course ranks right up there with my best achievements and is something I won't ever repeat. This project has been difficult and complicated every step of the way and the weather this weekend was yet another thing we have had to deal with."
On Behalf of the ACU Chairman Brian Higgins added "To work with so many professionals led by G2F and Red Bull was very pleasing and I am delighted that the ACU could play a small part in the success of this massive project. Being close at hand I was able to witness the dedication and skill Dougie put into this and I don't think I have ever seen anyone so focused for the whole one hour and forty minutes. Congratulations to the whole team.”
Event Director Jake Miller from G2F Media said. “Dougie’s Wheelie project relied on the co-operation of many key stake holders and authorities, and without the support of them and the ACU there is simply no way we would have been able to deliver this history making moment for motorcycling. Therefore we are delighted that we have been able to successfully complete yet another ground breaking event where the ACU has played a pivotal part, so we would like to say a massive thanks to them for their efforts in making this happen."
Images by kind permission of Red Bull