Startline - Road Racing podcast

What does it take to keep chasing a dream when the finish line is never quite the end of the story?

In this episode, Beth sits down with classic motorcycle racer Jeff Smith to talk about a lifetime spent on two wheels, the friendships forged through racing, and the special place the Isle of Man holds in his heart.

From racing around a warehouse on a childhood mini bike with his brother to winning the British Endurance Championship and making his debut on the Isle of Man in 2014, Jeff’s journey hasn't been completely straightforward. There have been broken bikes, broken bones, financial sacrifices and plenty of adventures along the way - but never any shortage of enthusiasm.

Jeff shares what makes the Island so special, why the Classic TT is about far more than winning, and how receiving the Spirit of the Classic award in 2025 meant so much to him. We also hear about the people who have supported him, his plans for the 2027 races and the ambition that continues to drive him: achieving that 100-mile-an-hour lap.

And, of course, there’s plenty of humour along the way -  including a rather flexible answer to the question of exactly how many bikes he owns...

This is a conversation about passion, perseverance, friendship and the joy of simply being part of something you love.

If you would like to follow Jeff on social media, he's on Facebook here and Instagram here.

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

A year ago, Startline began with a conversation and a dream.

Our very first guest, Ashley Robson, was hoping to make it to the Manx Grand Prix. Twelve months later, she's back - and this time she's got an incredible story to tell.

From the nerves and excitement of her first solo lap of the Mountain Course to breaking the 100mph barrier and securing a ninth-place class finish at the Classic TT, it's been a remarkable year for Ash.

She joins Beth to reflect on the experience, the extraordinary support of her family and team, the friendships and atmosphere in the paddock, and the hard work behind making a dream come true.

Ash also has some valuable advice for aspiring newcomers, particularly those who've faced disappointment in the entry process -  she's living proof that persistence pays off.

And with the MGP now under her belt, there's already another ambition on the horizon...

One year since our very first episode, we're back where Startline began - celebrating just how far one rider has come, and looking ahead to where the road might take her next.

You can find Ashley on Facebook here and Instagram here.

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

What happens when a lifelong TT enthusiast decides that watching from the hedge isn't quite enough?

For Simon Warren, the answer is Melbray Racing  - a team that has gone from a chance conversation and a dream to standing on the podium at the Isle of Man TT in a remarkably short space of time.

In this episode of Startline, we discover how Simon's childhood fascination with motorcycles, a chance encounter with Glen English and a love of classic racing led him into the extraordinary world of team ownership.

It's a journey involving a race bike rebuilt in a tiny plastic garden shed, a memorable first meeting with Michael Dunlop, podium success with Glen English and Dom Herbertson, and an increasingly successful partnership with Eddie Laycock and legendary racer Mike Browne.

But Simon's story is about much more than results. He speaks candidly about the pressures of running a team, the responsibility of keeping riders safe, the financial realities of racing and the agonising minutes spent waiting for a rider to come home.

There are plenty of laughs along the way, some genuinely moving moments and a fascinating insight into the differences between the Classic TT and the TT paddocks.

And with ambitious plans already taking shape for 2027, it seems Melbray Racing's remarkable journey is only just beginning.

Above all, it's a story about what makes Isle of Man road racing so special – and how a lifelong fan can end up becoming part of its history.

You can follow Simon on Facebook here and Melbray Racing on Instagram here

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

This week, we’re hearing from a rider who travels a very long way in pursuit of a dream.

Skyler Gore grew up racing motorcycles in a small farming town in Oregon, with bikes very much part of family life.

But since he was around 15 years old, there’s been one particular ambition that has stayed with him - getting to the Isle of Man and becoming part of its extraordinary road racing story.

After making the journey across from the United States, Skyler got his first taste of Irish road racing, raced at the Tandragee 100, and spent time at the Manx Grand Prix helping in the pits. Now, he’s hoping that his next application will finally give him the chance to take to the Mountain Course himself.

It’s a story about racing, family, determination and the sometimes slightly crazy lengths we’ll go to for the things we love.

You can follow Skyler on Facebook here and Instagram here

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

For Callum Hirst, racing the Mountain Course has been the dream for almost 20 years.

He was just nine years old when his dad brought him to the Isle of Man for the Centenary TT in 2007.

Standing at the top of Bray Hill and watching the bikes come past, Callum turned to his dad and told him that one day it would be him.

Now, that dream is beginning to feel much closer.

After years in motocross, Callum moved into road racing only last year, but has already made a huge impression.

His sights are now firmly set on MGP 2027. 

Beth catches up with Callum to talk about where that ambition began, his rapid progression on short circuits, the physical and mental preparation he believes the Mountain Course demands, and the enormous amount of work happening behind the scenes to give himself the best possible chance of reaching the Startline.

There’s plenty of confidence, plenty of laughs and a very clear sense that, for Callum, this is about far more than simply entering a motorcycle race.

You can follow Callum on Facebook here and Instagram here.

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

Canadian racer Dallas Reynolds has taken rather an unusual route towards the roads.

After 13 years in the Canadian Army, including deployments overseas, Dallas turned his attention increasingly towards racing, progressing from club competition at home, through the Canadian national series and ultimately onto the Irish roads.

Now, the Isle of Man is firmly in his sights.

In this episode of Startline, Dallas talks about where his fascination with the TT and Manx Grand Prix first began, the influence his military career has had on the way he approaches racing, and what he has learned from two seasons competing on the roads.

Having already experienced the MGP from inside the paddock as part of another rider’s team, Dallas is now preparing to submit his expression of interest for 2027 and hoping his next visit to the Island might finally be as a newcomer.

We also talk about learning the Mountain Course, dealing with setbacks, the importance of preparation and why, for Dallas, the answer is simply to keep putting the work in.

You can follow Dallas on Instagram here and Facebook here.

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

For some people, racing is something they’ve been doing all their lives.

For Martin Clare and Amanda Mason, the journey has been a little less straightforward.

In this episode of Startline, we catch up with the pair in the Manx Grand Prix paddock to talk about how they found their way into racing, their love of the roads, a new sidecar partnership that is very much still a work in progress and why sometimes you just have to take the opportunity and see where it leads.

There are plenty of laughs along the way, but also a powerful reminder that life is there to be lived. And bacon is not to be burnt.

And after this episode - Martin and Amanda did become the last ever Tonfanau Sidecar Champions!

You can find their page - LCM Racing on Facebook or you can get in touch with Martin and Amanda directly.

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

Ben Wilkinson has one goal firmly in his sights: racing at the Manx Grand Prix.

After beginning on motocross bikes at the age of 11, Ben moved into circuit racing before turning his attention to the roads. But his journey suffered a painful setback following this year’s Southern 100, when a low-speed road-bike accident left his shoulder broken in four places and his arm out of its socket for four days.

In this episode of the Startline Road Racing Podcast, Ben talks candidly about the physical and mental challenge of recovery, the family and friends helping to rebuild him, and why the accident hasn’t diminished his determination to race again - although it does mean the garden has been neglected...

We also hear why his first Manx Grand Prix application was unsuccessful, what he needs to do next and why, however long it takes, Ben won’t stop until he reaches the startline.

We're also joined by Ben's friend Kean, who's quickly proved he's got what it takes to be a crucial part of the team.

And in this episode, we also catch up with former guest Shane Doran who did his first MGP in 2026.

You can follow Ben's Peach Racing page on Facebook here.

Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there. 

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

In this episode, we catch up with previous Startliners Illiam Quayle, Markus Karlsson, Andy Herd and Andrew Coulter to find out how Manx Grand Prix 2026 lived up to the dream.

We hear how they expected it to be, what was the reality was like, their advice for anyone wanting to be a newcomer in 2027 and most importantly - whether they want to do it again...

You can find Illiam Quayle Facebook and Instagram here

Markus Karlsson on Facebook here and Instagram here,

Andy Herd on Facebook here and Instagram here.

And Andrew Coulter on Facebook here and Instagram here.

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Also in this episode, hear how Beth got on being a sidecar passenger for the very first time there may one tiny swear word, so sorry about that!

Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there. 

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected] 

Belgian racer Laurent Hoffman has been back on the Isle of Man Mountain Course after a 12-year gap, and the comeback story is even more dramatic than it sounds.

After a crash at TT 2014 left him in a wheelchair and doctors telling him he’d likely never ride again, he returned to the Island with a rebuilt team, years of preparation, and some clear goals.

Laurent shares the inside story of growing up in the paddock, discovering his talent in go-karting, and funding a racing career almost entirely out of his own pocket.

He opens up about the pressure of expectation, why he chose to keep his return quiet, and what it really takes to get to the Manx Grand Prix when travel, money, experience, and the right people all have to line up at once.

Laurent also shares a surprisingly candid look at life off the bike, from avoiding social media pressure to passing the racing bug to his son without forcing it.

With his wife and son alongside him in the paddock this year, this is as much a story about resilience, patience, and generational passion, as it is about speed.

You can find Laurent on Facebook here and Instagram here.

Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there. 

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email [email protected]