Stephen John

2000 Lightweight 400cc TT

1994: Started racing a Yamaha YSR50 in the Washington Small Motorcycle Racing club in 1994. Competed in several Canadian-American 2-hour endurance races in Wenatchee, Washington.

1995: Joined the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) as a Novice. Competed on a Suzuki GS500 for Novice season in the WMRRA GS500 Cup and 650GP Twins classes, and numerous Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMMRA) events. Competed in the WMRRA 6-hour endurance race at Seattle International Raceway (SIR) on the GS500 and in the WERA Endurance Race at Portland International Raceway (PIR) on a Yamaha FZR600.

1996: Moved to a 1991 Honda RS125 and competed in the WMRRA 125GP and Open Single classes. Won first race at the Harbor Hot Laps event, held on a public road course in Hoquiam, Washington. Competed in the Idemitsu International GP at PIR as part of the NASB weekend, finishing 10th. Finished WMRRA season 4th overall in Open Single and 6th overall in 125 Grand Prix, despite suffering a broken collarbone in a mid-season crash at PIR.

1997: Stayed with 1991 Honda RS125 and competed in limited WMRRA events, concentrating on the 90th Anniversary Isle of Man TT Races. Oversaw all aspects of Isle of Man trip, including motorcycle shipment and coordination of lodging and travel for rider, mechanic and spouse. Qualified for the Ultra Lightweight (125cc) TT with a lap of 24:52, at an average speed of 91.03mph. Finished 35th out of 54 entrants after suffering a broken exhaust. Total time for the 4-lap race was 1:44:41, with an average speed of 86.50mph.

1998: Competed in OMRRA and WMRRA 125GP classes on 1991/94 Honda RS125 leading up to 1998 Isle of Man TT Races, with a best finish of 3rd at PIR. Competed in the Ultra Lightweight TT on board a Padgetts 1996 Honda RS125, turning a best practice time of 23:13 with an average speed of 97.45mph. Finished 31st in the Ultra Lightweight class, with a 3-lap time of 1:12:07, at an average speed of 94.17mph, despite lack of visibility due to leaking fuel cap.

After the TT, began racing a Yamaha TZ250 in OMRRA and WMRRA events to prepare for the Lightweight class at the 1999 TT.

1999: Returned to the Isle of Man TT Races to compete in the Lightweight and Junior classes on a Yamaha TZ250 and Kawasaki ZXR600 leased from Padgetts. Best practice times were 22:34 on the 600 and 22:26 on the 250 after limited practice due to inclement weather. Best race laps were 21:40.2 (104.45 mph) for the 600, with a race average of 102.78 mph, and 21:44.6 (104.11 mph) for the 250, with a race average of 101.86 mph. Finishing positions were 52nd in the Junior and 28th in the Lightweight.

2000: Steve competed in the Isle of Man TT on a 125cc Honda leased from Padgetts in the Ultra Lightweight TT. Unfortunately a seized engine at Greeba Bridge ended his race on the first lap. There was better news in the 400cc Lightweight TT where Steve rode the teams 398cc ZXR Kawasaki and finished with a Bronze Replica at 96.05mph. Before leaving the Island, Steve said he would be back in 2001 to ride the ZXR Kawasaki again and also get that illusive 100mph 125cc lap.

2001:Steve had hoped to compete at the TT again in 2001, but this was not to be due to the cancellation of the event. Instead, Steve enjoyed a full season of club racing in the USA with WMRRA on a 1993 125cc Honda. He finished with a 5th place in the 125cc Championship and 3rd in the Open Singles.

2002: Steve had one of his most successful seasons last year when he won the WMRRA Open Singles Championship and finished 2nd in the 125cc Championship.

Steve only had one ride at the TT in 2002 as the 125cc and 400cc TT's were run at the same time. Steve brought over his own 400cc Kawasaki engine which he had purchased over the winter to slot into the teams frame. It was a troubled practice week and despite the efforts of his mechanic Jack Mills they never really got the bike running as he would have wanted. The carburation proved a major problem to setup and in the end they had to revert to standard carbs for the race.

In the 400cc race, Steve finished 21st at 98.02mph, which was 2mph up on his time of TT2000.

It was good to see Steve's father at the TT for the first time. I am sure he will be back.

2003: Steve had a torrid time at the 2003 TT on a hired 125cc Honda. He finished 16th at 95.78mph in the Ultra-Lightweight 125cc TT.

2004:Steve was unable to compete at the 2004 TT, but hopes to return in the future.

2006: Steve hopes to race in the UK again this year in preparation for next years TT. Steve has recently purchased an R6 Yamaha and has penciled in three road races during July at Skerries in Ireland, the Southern 100 and Andreas Racing Association meeting at Jurby Road. Steve is in the process of obtaining an A-CU licence in order to compete at these events.