Subculture Racing Team Captain Wade Boyd was to Race at the Centennial Isle of Man TT in June 2007. This would be his 15th year racing and it would be an honour to be there as well as participate. Urban Moto, an SF Motorcycle Magazine who Wade writes for had even sponsored him with a new Yamaha R1, Pat and Abby from Subterranean Cycles sponsored tires and for once we were to go to the Isle with proper machinery well in advance of the races.
One thing I know for sure is racing at The Isle of Man is never easy, going there without a race bike is even harder, and to fight the establishment for entry is impossible. As privateer’s Subculture seems to have more than it’s fare share of obstacles to overcome from time to time. Our strength lies in our commitment, we never quit, knowing that makes all the difference when it comes to fighting against all odds.
The R1 was crated and taken to Long Beach, the plan being we would ship it to the Isle. As has happened to me in the past, Wade received a denial of entry letter the day before a benefit. Nothing like having a big party for failure. We went from the top of the world to dire straits within a few hours, ugh. I would have given anything to participate in the “Centennial TT”, my laps times are off, however there was never any question in my mind Wade would get in. How could this happen, he’s a hero on the Isle, sheesh! Over the next week we were reeling from the news and trying to make the right decision wether to ship the R1 or pick it up from Long Beach, fearing we would never see it again if it was shipped and we didn’t go, it was picked up by Subculture Racer Christine and Subculture elf Abby K... a sad admission.
Wade made many calls and e-mails to the powers that be, seems there were fifty denials of all sorts... ok then. I mentioned we fight and not let this lie, lets make ALOT of noise. Since Wade has been there for many more years than I he was skeptical of the Boards decision to change their minds. I had hope and determination to not go quietly, after all a great deal was at stake... Subculture’s survivability at the Isle. A plan was hatched, get everyone we know to contact the Isle of Man "powers that be" and say we want Wade to race. Carrie a Subculture elf drew up a petition and made me copies, I dropped them at many of the S.F. motorcycle dealerships explaining our plight, they were all supportive. Within one week we had about 2000 signatures, a good start to the revolution! Keith and JB other Subculture elfs put the petition online, Wade contacted his European pals as well as all his fans in the States another 1000 were added to the list as well as comments from all over the world. The word was now out and many were pissed, how could they deny Wade? Thoughts of sailing over there and cannoning the Isle were made.
We were on a tight timetable and all this happened within 2 weeks. The UM R1 was not to be shipped so a bike was also needed if we were to get in... a later worry. By now there was considerable news about the racers who were denied, we found out there were only seven not allowed in which made this situation even more unbelievable, out of hundreds why not let the seven race? Press at the Isle had printed several stories of Wade’s circumstances and here in the states a Certificate of Honor from the Mayor of SF was gotten by Urban Moto’s Leslie K. A great many fans and supporters made their voice known, when it was time for Wade to fly off we still were in the non-entered status. Since denied entry we didn’t even have a place to stay if we were to go there and fight, usually I had a tent in the pits. Christine a TT Subculture Racer with a Finishers Medal (also Wade’s better half) and I decided to stay in the U.S., we would miss the Centennial Isle of Man Races, this made me very sad and angry... those bastard’s!
Wade did fly to the Isle and communicated to Christine by phone and to me by e-mail. He was now there to take the fight to the powers that be in person. Unyielding in their decision the practice for the Centennial Races started with Wade as pit crew, however he was given entry as a sidecar passenger. I took this as great news, it meant if he could find a ride he could at least participate in the event. All the hard work was starting to pay off.
So it’s now a few days into the practice week and Wade hasn’t gone out, not a good sign. Then a miracle, Christine calls me and says Wade had indeed gotten into the Centennial TT races under the 600cc class! I always knew he could get in, apparently he was given the slot of another racer. Being that nothing is ever easy for Subculture, Wade had four hours to find a race bike before practice. It’s difficult enough getting a race bike in months let alone hours, he had a Triumph and Yamaha lined up before the difficulties, the powers that be said he had to qualify on a Kawasaki. A call went out for help on Manx Radio and within two hours he had found a bike, it’s not often miracles happen in succession. With his last dollar spent on renting the Kawasaki, fuel and tires were needed. Subculture elves Tim and Jay gladly sponsored him with fuel for the run. Tires there cost twice as much, we needed a set and quick. Another miracle, a friend of Wade’s from the past SMR ride had heard of his plight and was on the Isle, he sponsored Wade with a set of tires! Now Wade was ready to run down Bray Hill for the Centennial TT, I was elated and proud. We did it! So it’s mid week in qualifying practice, Wade has to run an untried bike, something Subculture racers are used to, a very difficult and dangerous task. The first time out he missed qualifying by 4 seconds, not bad, the bike needed to be regeared for top end. Being that everything was given to get this far, we weren’t able to raise funds for the actual races here in the states. It’s hard to ask for donations for a race you aren’t entered in. I got the call and Christine said we need to help him out ASAP. He ran out of beef jerky and needed food, not even any beer money, let alone tire and gas funds. But we had a race bike.
It’s heartening the amount of support that was given within hours of the call for help. We were able to raise the needed funds and by the end of the weekend Wades worries for tires and fuel were gone. Vampire Dave, Walter T, Bill W, Allen Z, Lisa P, Margaret K, and the Richards were all of great help as well as many others who believed and got us there.
There was a bit of a struggle in qualifying with the Kawasaki however Wade persevered and did in fact make it in. He raced the Centennial Isle of Man and received a Finishers Medal, I’m sure he would say this was hard earned. We all did it and to believe in the cause is what got us there.
A true privateers tale.
~Cheers, Alx