Few riders have raced in as many different series second-gen racer Michael Rutter
Michael, you’re one of the most accomplished UK racers across closed circuit and real road racing…
Last time I was at Phillip Island was on a GP bike in 1999, so it’s been a few years. I’m really looking forward to coming over.
It’s one of those fast-flowing circuits that I really do enjoy and I think it will really suit me and my style. I’ll be riding a Yamaha FJ1200 that’s being prepared in the UK by Roger Winfield. I rode a similar bike in the Classic TT two years ago but this is a new bike, totally fresh.
You’ve ridden some pretty cool machines at the Classic TT: Matchless G50, Ducati TT1, Norton Rotary – what’s the most challenging thing you’ve found riding classic bikes?
Well, classic bikes are very close to modern bikes these days. With tyres and suspension upgrades, the bikes are really good, but you have to be very respectful of them.
You can’t change gear like a modern bike, and you have to be careful of down changes, going back to second or third gear you can’t be rough on them – they need a little respect.
When you look over your career, you could write a book on the different forms of road racing and circuits you’ve raced: 13 Northwest 200 wins, with 200mph top speeds, 4 TT wins, 8 Macau wins; do you have a favourite discipline?
I love going to a short circuit like Brands Hatch or Donington Park and pushing at 110 percent on a Superbike, that’s a huge buzz. Then again, it’s so nice to ride the TT when you’re completely on your own. I also love the challenge of a classic bike where you have to ride in a totally different kind of way.
The speed at the Northwest 200 is amazing. It’s hard to appreciate exactly what it means to do over 200 miles per hour there – you’re not just hitting that speed for a few seconds, it’s for quite a period of time – absolutely incredible.
Then again, there is nowhere in the world like Macau. Really, there is nowhere in the world like that place. When you’ve got a bike that works well and you’re on a real fast lap – Macau with the barriers and everything – the feel of it, it’s an awesome place to be. It is very tiring in the heat and you don’t get any rest with all the changes in direction. It’s very unique, heart-breaking at times, very physical and demanding.
How do you find your limit on a track like that? Or the NW200 for that matter – where you can find yourself in traffic or on the chase. Is it difficult to stay within your capabilities?
Well, that is the hard bit. You can get carried away so easily. This year I had a bad start and pushed for two laps to try and catch Glenn Irwin and Peter Hickman and I just thought to myself ‘I’m pushing too hard here,’ so I just backed off a little. If you see somebody in front of you, you want to beat them, but you have to be disciplined.
The TT is a little different, there are places on corners where you can get away with mistakes more than what you would at Macau. Just being on your own at the TT, some races you won’t see anyone, you’re just racing against the clock. But when you’re in a mass start in a road race…that’s when it can get dangerous.
But also in slip-streaming, it’s maybe the most dangerous thing in real road racing.
If something happens to a bloke in front and you clip him, there is nowhere to go – you can’t go left or right, you will just run into the back of them.
Do you have a favourite part of the TT?
My favourite part is coming down Bray Hill. It’s awesome when you’re on a Superbike doing 170 or 180 miles per hour – it’s a special feeling.
You were the first person to post a 100mph lap on an electric bike. What do you think of electric motorcycles?
We all thought they were a joke but until you ride one, it’s hard to appreciate how much of a complete work of art they are, especially the Motoczysz I rode. All they need to be is a bit lighter with a bit more power to sustain six laps. The next step is to get two laps of the TT. Riding them, the weight balance is very, very good.
As far as them doing well in MotoGP in 2019, I think there is still a long way to go. It comes down to weight – and they need better battery life.
What do you think of the Aussies you raced in BSB?
I’ve raced against some pretty tough Aussies: Troy Bayliss, Glenn Richards, Josh Brookes…
How do you feel about the Cadwell incident these days? [2011 – where Brookes and Rutter came together at Cadwell Park]
Obviously, we had our words at Cadwell [laughs]. Basically, I thought nobody could overtake me at that part of the track, my Ducati was strong there. But he was strong over the mountain. It was just one of those things where he thought he could pull the move off. We’ve all made mistakes, I’ve taken Steve Hislop out.
Josh is maybe one of the best racers we’ve seen in a long time. He has outstanding ability, not just on a short circuit but also with road racing. He puts 150 percent into the job and fair play to him.
Any advice for young Aussies planning on racing in the UK?
I did Brands Hatch at the end of last year and I was 20th fastest and only 0.7 seconds off pole. There are lots of very good riders and very good teams. The rules make it a level playing field and I think it’s the most competitive series in the world.
In England, it isn’t just the circuits you have to deal with, the weather can play a major part as well. A lot of the riders in the UK have been bought up on these circuits – some people can get on with them, some can’t. You really have to do your homework and the weather is so unpredictable, it can be half wet, half dry, sunny, snowing…you never know what you’ll get, it’s England after all!
To round things out, how about your thoughts on learning the TT course?
To this day I tell everyone: you think you know where you’re going on the mountain until you jump on a bike and the roads are closed. You may as well forget everything you’ve learned driving around in cars. When you’re doing 180 or 190 miles per hour there seems to be a lot more corners!
As far as learning any track goes, I started racing relatively late, when I was 16, and I never stuck at one particular championship.
Because I was always moving around, I think I developed a knack for learning fast.
I’d just ride every race I could; one thing my dad [ed: champion racer Tony Rutter] told me is that if I could ride anywhere and everywhere, I’d always have a job. I guess it paid off for me!
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- Michael Rutter at Ballaugh Bridge during the opening night’s practice for the Isle of Man TT. PICTURE BY DAVE KNEEN/PACEMAKER PRESS.
