PERSEVERANCE and determination paid off for Forest motorbike racer Jason Lamb as he stormed to a top-10 finish at this year’s Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix over the legendary 37.75-mile Isle of Man ‘mountain course’.

The Cinderford racer entered the grand prix on his Honda 400cc, helped in the pits by wife Jenny.

And he said after racing ho me seventh and achieving a 102mph lap: “I started the race with a misfire, but this cleared after a few miles so I got my head down and tried to make the time up. The bike was flying and I enjoyed every second of the race.”

Jenny added: “The pit stop went very well and we managed to gain a few seconds even though I was on my own.”

The event, which took place from August 16 to 30, is the amateur equivalent of May’s TT event.

Jason admitted it had been tough getting there, with the two qualifying events he normally attends at Brands Hatch and Donnington cancelled due to bad weather.

“This meant we had to condense all the qualifying and testing into the few weeks and months leading up to the races. Racing over there is very hard on the bikes and they need to be run in and tested before we head down Bray Hill,” he said.

The TT course includes racing through narrow villages, open countryside and traversing a mountain, and Jason added: “It’s the best place to race a motorbike and despite the dangers I prefer this to the short circuit races I do.

“The weather changed during practice week so again, along with everyone else, we were struggling for setting up time.”

Despite this and the patchy conditions, he achieved his qualifying time during the first session and went on to achieve a 100mph lap on his 400cc Honda and also qualify his Classic 350 Honda for the Classic TT Race.

With a starting position of 55 in the latter, Lamb brought his home-built Honda 350cc machine home in 29th position after an arduous four-lap race.

“The bike went well and after two years of not even making the start line due to engine failure, I was pleased to make the finish.”

For his efforts Lamb was awarded a prestigious finishers medal to add to his collection, and then scooped a Replica Trophy award for his seventh in the Manx GP.

Jason intends to return to the Isle of Man next year and improve on his results.