'WHY WE GO RACING...5

Ever wondered why big brands spend big money and put in huge amounts of effort to go racing? Well, we did too, so we didn’t hesitate to ask the man who makes that call for Honda Racing UK...

- DANGEROUS

Sitting up high in the TT grandstand, watching the Senior race play out in front of me, I couldn't help but marvel at the sights before me. The noise, the excitement, the spectacle... it felt nothing short of overwhelming. But in an instant, the euphoric scenes turned to heartache as one of the competitors pulled into pitlane, unable to ride any longer, and was helped from his bike by his pit crew, who didn't hesitate to console and reassure him. It was tough to watch, and one which prompted many questions the biggest of all being, 'why do we race?'

I say this as a person who competed for 16 years, at club, national, and international level, having chased dreams since my mid-teens. I know first-hand the time, effort, determination and sacrifices needed to pursue such endeavours, brushing off injuries, financial torment and even relationships in a bid to reach that next rung in the ladder. Was it worth it? I'd like to think so, but there's a big difference between me and my personal goals and that of a manufacturer, for which the investment is undoubtedly much more significant and purposeful.

I'd flown over to the Island as a guest of Honda, and as luck would have it, I was sitting next to the man who signs the brand's substantially-sized cheques and gives the green light to BSB and road racing commitments - Neil Fletcher, head of motorcycles at Honda UK. To the soundtrack of a siren, noting a racer entering the pits for a quick splash and dash, I leaned over and fired a quizzical one-liner his way. Why does Honda go racing?

"That's simple - Mr Honda himself is well-known as saying, 'without racing there is no Honda'. And okay, that was when the global Honda motorcycle business was in its infancy - but it's still as relevant now.