Nice story here.
MANY people in their mid 60s would be happy to potter about in the garden.
Not Bill Swallow.
The 67-year-old former teacher has spent part of his summer holidays astride a powerful racing motorcycle.
And he was bitterly disappointed to miss out on a podium finish in a race over the famous TT course in the Isle of Man.
The competitive fires still burn bright for the former Holmfirth High School teacher after he had to settle for fourth in the Motorsport Merchandise 350/250 Classic GP Race at the Manx Grand Prix.
Swallow, who first raced in the Manx Grand Prix all the way back in 1974, had retired from the sport.
But in his second comeback, he navigated his AJS 7r 348cc round the iconic 37.73-mile Mountain Course on the island.
“The wind was a real struggle but I can’t complain about the bike. It never missed a beat in practice or during the race. I think I was a bit rusty when I came back and it started to come together by the end but to tell the truth I was pretty tired by the fourth lap. It’s a bit of a shame because I didn’t have any signs round the course telling me where I was at and it would have been nice to get my 10th win. Yes it’s a bit frustrating but fourth is a pretty good result considering I wasn’t planning on coming to the Manx. Third would have been nice but I’ve been up there nine times before.”
