This account shows in more detail how Pete Turnbull went from mechanic, to racer, to MGP winner and then to sponsor.

Pete's connection with Road Racing started back in 1979 where 2 riders were struggling for transport to get to the Carnaby Bonanza meeting and he had a van to take them there in. From here on in Pete was hooked.

" For the next 2 years I went proddy racing with these 2 riders(Doug Black and Chris Kilby) all over the country.

In 1982 I got the chance to go mechanicing on proper race bikes TZ350 and TZ500's for Paul Clay from Scarborough. Incidentally this is where I first met a very young Jeremy Goodall who I now sponsor. To work on proper race bikes gave me a buzz. In 1982 I got my introduction to the Manx Grand Prix in which we failed to qualify the first year we went.

In 1984 I was asked to mechanic for York rider Mick Seward running an Armstrong 250 & a Yamaha TZ350. Mick had a so-so sort of year on the short circuits, but the Manx was his main target. Mick came second in the Junior Newcomers race behind Gary Cowan & 11^th in the Lightweight proper. A good year was had by all.

In 1985 I split my time between helping Graham Sinton on the short circuits and Mick Seward on the Island. Mick retired whilst laying 3^rd in the Junior but finished a very creditable 5^th in the Lightweight.

1986 I was with Mick again, and he had a brand new FZ750 in a Spondon Chassis,which he used to challenge for the British Championships for the first time. What an eye opener, team set ups, works bikes- what a learning curve that was!! We went back to the Isle of Man again, this time with great success, a 3^rd in the Junior on the TZ350 and a 2^nd place in the Senior with a fastest lap of 110.75mph. The first time a rider had passed the 110mph barrier at the MGP. Also Mick got his first National win at Scarborough's Oliver's Mount in July."