The Isle of Man TT.
The name is synonymous with unbridled speed on public roads and is known as one of the most amazing spectacles in motorsports. We all know about the races, but what about the men and women that are drawn to it, drawn to compete for no other reason than the pure passion of it and the desire to compete in what is considered the ultimate motorcycle race. Pete Murray is one of those guys. We’ve known Pete for some time now following his progress as one of the last Americans competing in the TT and decided to take a moment and get his side of the story.
Pete Murray and the 2024 Isle of Man TT Team
Hello Pete. Of course the first question that comes to mind is “Why do it?” There are plenty other venues to race in without the dangers and with much much less financial cost to participate, why the TT?
“Racing, in general: On course is where I find peace, tranquility... connectedness. The rest of the world, any stress, any troubles, it all goes away at the apex. It's also the precision of it... braking, tip-in, apex, acceleration, exit... all the inputs performed at exactly the right moment in exactly the right way... bliss. I don't race to beat anyone. I race to improve the breed, the beast that is me. Laird Hamilton is quoted as saying “There are competitors and creative people; competitors are fulfilled by beating others and creative people are fulfilled by accomplishing things.” I am definitely a creative person.”
“A further answer to why I race the TT: I race the TT because I always push myself to my absolute limits. I will always choose the most demanding, most challenging version of anything I involve myself in. Military... USMC. Pilot... airlines. And I will always participate at the highest level I can. I would rather finish 20th to the best in the world than finish 1st at anything less. I've never understood being satisfied with being a big fish in a small pond, especially once one has swam in the ocean... there's no going back until someone fishes me out and tosses me back.”
My next question was “who’s your TT hero?” and his answer surprised me. It wasn’t the usual “Joey Dunlop”, “Mike Hailwood” response but a more down to earth appreciation of the guy who makes it possible for others to chase their dream.”
Pete Murray and Robbie Sylvester, inspiration and machinery provider.
“Robbie Silvester. The man has it all. He's a talented rider whose racing career was cut short by an incident at Greeba Castle, but he #NeverQuit. He's given more people the opportunity to ride quality equipment than I can count. And in doing it all he's maintained an impeccable reputation, not just for his bikes and paddock presence, but for the man he is. Everybody loves Robbie.”
How about your first bike and first win?
Where it all began. A humble little Suzuki Bandit 400, not! There’s a GSXR 1100 beast of a motor shoe-horned in there!
“First bike? '91 Suzuki GSF-400 Bandit. Junior year of college. Loved the naked sportbike look, wasn’t such a fan of the 400 power though, so I stuffed a GSXR-1100 engine in it. ...then smashed it into a concrete barrier when the throttle stuck open. First race and win? 4. First race was August 11, 2001 - Putnam Park Raceway - WERA V3 - on my dad's 1975 Yamaha XS-650. First win... no idea... definitely on that same bike. I rode it for about 12 years, won a couple championships with it and might have embarrassed an SV-650 owner or two before the development of those bikes finally outpassed what I could do with dad's old bike.”
Definitely a different breed for sure. Thanks Pete for sharing some insight into what makes you tick and the drive behind it. Wishing you the best in all your endeavers.
(As I write this I’m in the airport heading to the Isle of Man and I’m excited to drop in on Pete and Robbie and watch the team in action. We’ll be in the hedge cheering them on and wishing them a very safe TT fortnight. You can follow along as we support Pete and other riders this year at our TT USA page:)
See you at the TT!
Maurice Laroque-Turgeau