Manx TT rider Michael ‘Miggy’ Evans won the Ultra-Lightweight Manx Grand Prix on a bike that was destined for the late Gary Vines.
Miggy raced the KTM RC250 in the Ultra Lightweight class on Monday (August 26) and lapped 109.631mph.
The bike was bought by Bob Taylor of Atherstone Accident Repair Centre for Gary Vines in 2019, but with one thing and another it wasn’t until 2023 that the bike was up and ready to go.
Sadly, Gary never got a chance to race it as he was involved in a fatal accident in the first Manx Grand Prix practise session on August 20, 2023.
Team Effort
After much deliberation, Bob decided that Gary wouldn’t want him to stop and the decision was made for Faraldo Racing to take the bike on and find a suitable rider.
Fransesco Faraldo chose Miggy to partner the bike, and the choice was clearly the right one as Miggy did justice to the bike, the team, and to Gary by bringing home first place in the Ultra-Lightweight Manx Grand Prix.
Speaking to Manx.News on his win, Miggy said: “I’m just so pleased for the team and all of Gary’s connections, they really deserved this win.
“The bike was brilliant, it is much smaller than anything I’m use to – it was great fun!”
In Memory of Gary Vines
Gary was no stranger to the Manx Grand Prix having competed at the races since 2015 as well as the TT Races since 2022.
He was a specialist on two-stroke 250cc machinery, making his debut in the 2015 Newcomers B Race on his own, immaculately prepared Yamaha TZ250.
Gary stood on the podium again in the 2018 Lightweight MGP, and earned a number of top-ten finishes in the 250cc class at the Classic TT.
Away from the Isle of Man he was a well-known and respected figure of the two-stroke and classic racing scene, and was a familiar face at the GP Originals championship and at the Goodwood Members’ Meetings.
Gary was also a skilled off-road rider, and had contested the notorious Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro rallye.
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