The fundraising race is on for Angus youngsters heading back to one of the world’s most famous motorcycle road courses.
The Hedzup Racing team is planning its fourth journey to the Manx Grand Prix, which will be run over the famous and frightening 37-mile Isle of Man road circuit next month.
The diversionary youth project involves teenagers from schools in Kirriemuir, Arbroath and Forfar in every aspect of running a motorcycle race team.
Since being founded by Arbroath man Ian Pert, Hedzup has firmly established its presence in the Isle of Man race paddock, as well as at Scottish racing events. Earlier this year the team also gained new fans on a visit to Ireland.
Ian said the team’s aim is to take nine youngsters to the Manx GP, where he will race the machine they have built for the track and the annual pilgrimage to take on the high-speed challenge of the island’s famous Mountain Course.
“We’re planning to take six kids for one week and three for the full two-and- a-half weeks that the GP involves but that means we’re chasing around £5,000,” Ian said.
A presence at the recent Harley-Davidson in the City event in Brechin boosted funds and the group’s profile.
The Hedzup name was also taken to a new audience earlier this year.
“For the first time we went to Ireland and took part in the Cookstown 100 and the Tandragee 100,” Ian added.
“They are both huge events on the Irish road racing calendar and it was a great experience. We didn’t do so well in Cookstown but in the torrential weather at Tandragee I picked up some prize money.
“It’s great to do well and fantastic for the kids if we can get a good result but that’s not the main aim of the project it’s about getting them to work together as a team.
“What pleased me more from Ireland was the name Hedzup got after a couple of our lads, Findlay Milne and Cameron Low, came to the rescue of a woman who collapsed as they were standing in the queue for scrutineering at one of the races.
“They immediately saw what had happened, put the bike down straight away and went to help the woman, before rushing to get our qualified first aider. The organisers of the race were really impressed with the way two young lads had responded and that’s a real credit to them.
“The project is all about giving the youngsters the experience of being part of the team and developing the skills that the challenge brings.
“Everything is on a shoestring and we’re grateful for all the help we get. It’s a big challenge to raise the funds for the Manx and we would love to hear from anyone willing to give us a bit of support.”