Dream come true as Craven man wins on Isle of Man TT course

Harley Rushton, 30, of Ingleton, won the race on the August Bank Holiday weekend in atrocious weather condition Rushton competed on a 350cc Honda, which is owned by Chris Hughes but was built by the Ingleton rider’s Bentham-based Craven Classic Racing team.

Harley Rushton on the podium after winning the Classic Junior Manx Grand Prix 2024 on the Isle of Man (Image: Hannah McHugh)

He said: “It’s classic machinery from the 1970s – the sounds and smells of yesteryear.

“To compete at the Isle of Man is the pinnacle of classic motorbike racing.

“I didn’t expect to win as I went into the race as a newcomer.

“I did six or seven laps of practice during the week, but the weather was absolutely awful.”

Rushton said due to the severity of the weather, organisers reduced the race to just one lap.

“It was still a 37-mile lap with 25 minutes of racing. "

Although Rushton was a bit disappointed with his start, early race leader Michael Evans snapped the chain on his bike before a misfire of Nigel Moore’s machine caused him to slow, allowing Rushton to catch and pass him. He also passed eventual second place finisher Glen English.

Rushton's riding got increasingly faster as the race progressed and over the last sections he was the speediest rider, securing his fastest lap of the week at 97.615mph average speed in the race.

He said: “As I rode under the chequered flag all the cheering and waving felt great. I was really happy to complete my first race round the mountain course. That feeling cannot be replicated.”

“Getting waved into Parc Fermé to be told I was the winner didn’t actually set in right away. This is a result I have dreamt about my entire life.

“For people to be congratulating me didn’t quite hit home to start with.”

“It was a dream come true. I didn’t expect it all.

“It’s been a whirlwind the past few weeks.

“I’d like to thank my team and Ted Woof who has supported me for 12 years and I’m grateful to sponsor Chris Hughes. I’d couldn’t have done it without them.”

Harley also was grateful to his mum, dad and sister who supported him through his "struggles" and "heartache".

Harley started racing when he turned 13 but always loved racing from a young age.

“My dad and granddad got me into it. And then for one of our family holidays I kept pestering my dad to go to the Isle of Man to watch the racing. I was seven years old.

“I remember thinking then: ‘One day I can win this. It would be a dream come true.”

Harley will now look to defend his title next year, saying: “It would be ideal to win it next year, but I’m forever a realist. You can’t expect things to happen.”