Parrett hoping for a terrific triumph at Isle of Man TT

DESPITE a nightmare 2011 campaign and an even more frustrating build-up this year, Midhurst's Mark Parrett is adamant he can spring a surprise at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Jun 2012, 22:07 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:38 BST

Parrett (pictured) endured a mixed time around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course last year, ending the week’s racing with a pair of 20th-placed finishes in the superbike and superstock races.

However a combination of bad luck and injuries meant he failed to finish either of the two supersport races or the Senior TT – the blue riband final outing on the island.

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The 42-year-old’s bid to write those wrongs this year has been far from smooth with machinery problems meaning his bikes were yet to be built and tested ahead of practice week.

Parrett, however, insists the last-minute headache is the nature of the beast in many ways and believes 2012 can still be his best TT, fuelled by Monster Energy, yet.

He heads to the island with a top-ten place in his sights and said: “It’s all a bit lastminute.com at the minute for me in terms of getting ready for the TT.

“I have been struggling to get bits and parts and Kawasaki sent a wrong part through. I am getting there now though and things are looking good and hopefully we can have a good couple of weeks on the island.

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“Last year was a bit disastrous. I got a couple of good finishes and then I was injured in the supersport race and couldn’t go out in the Senior TT so it was a bit frustrating in the end.”

Parrett is uncomplicated in his assessment of his 2011 struggles – being let down by Lady Luck.

The 37.73-mile Mountain Course is a notoriously-fickle beast and, while confident in his machinery, and ability, Parrett acknowledges he’ll need a turnaround in good fortune.

“Maybe luck wasn’t on my side much last year because you always need a bit of luck around the TT,” he added.

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“If I can have a bit of luck and everything goes well then I am really hopeful that I can into the top ten in the supersport race.

“The top 15 would be a steady result in that one, while if I can get top-20 finishes across the field throughout the week, that would be a great result all round and that’s hopefully what I can do.”

The 2012 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, will be shown every evening, usually at 9pm, on ITV4 from now to June 11. For more information on the event and for live Radio TT commentary and live timings as well as the full ITV4 schedule go to www.iomtt.com

TOM REYNOLDS

Related topics:Midhurst