Today we’re joined by Don Gilbert - a rider who races in the Manx Grand Prix, Southern 100 and has his sights set on TT.

Don didn’t come up through the sport the traditional way, starting a little later than some.

It's also fair to say he faced some resistance at home and learnt the hard way just how tough the road can be, with setbacks that might have stopped someone else for good.

But Don’s story is about persistence, resilience, and finding his place in one of the most demanding forms of racing there is.

From scrimping and saving for his first bikes and battling back from a serious crash, to pushing for faster laps and new opportunities like Macau; Don's journey is full of grit, growth, and some remarkable highs.

You can find Don on Facebook here and on Instagram here, so give him a follow as he prepares for Macau this November.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

You can get in touch with Beth by emailing bethespey@manxadio.com

In this episode, we hear from four riders who all had the Moutain Course in their sights for 2025 - and now they have all raced the dream.

So what was it like - can you ever really prepare for what the ultimate road racing experience throws at you?

Ste Sewell, Blake Kelly, Lee Stanaway and Dale Brew talk us through their experiences, which include forgetting something on the start line, doing something your surgeon probably wouldn't approve of and countless cups of tea.

Click on their names for the original podcast recorded before this year's Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

In this episode, we explore what life is like on both sides of the track.

Chris Moore is a highly experienced and successful Manx Grand Prix and TT rider - he won his Newcomers MGP race, and although he doesn’t live on the Isle of Man, his Manx roots mean his heart is firmly here.

His wife Lorna has been by his side for almost the entirety of his racing career. She shares what it’s like to watch the sport from a very different perspective: as the partner of a rider tackling one of the most demanding courses in the world.

Both Chris and Lorna are deeply dedicated to road racing. In fact, when they arrived on the Island ahead of Classic TT 2025 qualifying, they even signed on as marshals for the very first time - adding yet another layer to their involvement in the sport.

This episode really does have it all: love, racing, a surprise lottery win, and even a reminder that Chris might not be your best pick for a pub quiz team…

You can follow Chris on his Facebook page here.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com

In this episode, we meet Dale Brew, one of the six Andreas Racing Association newcomers taking on the 2025 Manx Grand Prix.

A regular at Jurby and currently sitting third in the Uggly & Co Supertwin Championship, Dale has already shown great promise on the short circuits.

His journey to the Manx, however, hasn’t been without setbacks - and we'll hear why it was only just a few days before qualifying got underway, that he knew for certain that he'd be able to race.

Beyond his own racing, Dale is also a key part of Ryan and Callum Crowe's sidecar team, working as their mechanic and sharing in their success at the TT, Southern 100, and on international circuits.

In fact, there was quite the moment in Belgium recently where Dale swapped the spanner for a microphone...listen until the end of the podcast to hear if Dale can be persuaded to recreate that moment...

Coming from a family steeped in the sport, with his uncle Allan Brew running the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club, Dale’s story is one of resilience, community, and unwavering commitment to the road racing scene.

You can follow Dale's progress on his Facebook page.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com

In this episode, we meet Wayne Avis, a local newcomer taking on his first Manx Grand Prix.

Originally from Essex but now living in Braddan, Wayne works for Isle of Man Energy and says the support from his partner Laurie and his brother-in-law (who's no stranger to the Mountain Course himself) has been a huge part of his racing journey.

Wayne began racing in 2021 at Jurby with the Andreas Racing Association and has quickly built an impressive résumé.

He’ll line up in both the Supersport and Senior classes at this year’s MGP, and has been supported by the Billy Redmayne Memorial Foundation and Tracey’s Pictures as well as other sponsors whose support Wayne appreciates very much.

Often racing with the number 20 on short circuits, Wayne has gained valuable experience across a range of events - and we'll hear why the number 20 is significant.

In 2024 he made his Southern 100 debut, securing a top-6 finish, and he's also competed in the Pre-TT this year.

Despite suffering a heavy crash in the rain during the 400cc race, he bounced back to repair his bike just in time for the Southern.

His career so far includes podiums and top-6 results at Oliver’s Mount, strong performances at Aintree, Anglesey, and Oulton Park, and consistent success at Jurby with the ARA.

His championship record reflects steady progress, and now with determination and growing experience, Wayne is ready to take on the challenge of the Mountain Course, fulfilling a long-held ambition to compete alongside established MGP and TT regulars.

You can follow Wayne's progress on his Facebook page here

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com

In this episode, we hear about the incredible work Tracey and Juan Harrison do to support newcomers at the Manx Grand Prix and other motorcycle events.

Over the years, their tireless fundraising and dedication have provided vital help for riders in their first year, raising significant amounts of money and creating opportunities for many competitors.

The couple are behind Tracey’s Pictures, a highly regarded photography venture that has grown into a mark of quality on the Isle of Man and beyond, with regular appearances at various racing events.

They organise online raffles and auctions, using social media to generate further support for newcomers.

This year, Tracey and Juan are supporting 29 newcomers from the Island and further afield.

It all started with the 'Back a Newcomer' scheme spearheaded by Jim Hunter - and we're also joined by Jim to tell us more about that.

You can find the Tracey's Pictures Facebook page here and their website here.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com

As we know, here on the Isle of Man, motorcycling is more than a sport, it’s part of the Island’s identity and our guests in this episode really embody that spirit.

We are delighted to be joined by 'Wobbly' Bob Taylor (we'll find out where the wobbly came from) and Francesco Faraldo.

Bob, a devoted TT and MGP supporter since the early 1970s, is the founder of the Leece Motorcycle Museum in Peel and a long-standing sponsor.

His ‘Sound of Thunder’ events and museum displays have become fixtures of the racing calendar, and there's another one happening on Thursday 21 August. Find out more here.

Francesco Faraldo is one of the Island’s great successes, a multiple Andreas Racing Association champion and lap record holder at Jurby.

Alongside his own racing success, he runs a respected fibreglass fabrication business , regularly supports TT, MGP, S100, and ARA riders, and is known for his dedication to helping the next generation of racers.

Working together since 2024, Bob and Francesco have combined experience, skill, and passion to build competitive machines, honour past riders, and contribute significantly to the Island’s rich motorcycling heritage.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Victor Ortega Pérez from Pedreguer in Spain, one of the most dedicated international riders on the Manx Grand Prix scene.

Victor made his debut on the Mountain Course back in 2019, finishing ninth in the Newcomers A race and competing in the Junior MGP.

Since then, he’s returned in 2022, 2023 and will be on the start line again this year, steadily building pace and now lapping at over 110mph.

Victor represents a growing number of international competitors drawn to the unique challenge of the TT and Manx Grand Prix.

This year he'll be racing in the Lightweight class at the Classic TT, and in both the Senior and Supersport races at the MGP.

Back home, he’s a well-established racer with years of experience across multiple championships.

He finished second in the 2024 Spanish Classic Supersport Championship and is currently competing in the Spanish EVO series on a CBR with the Boulevard Racing Team.

Victor also makes regular appearances at UK circuits like Cadwell Park to secure the all-important signatures for his Mountain Course licence.

You can find Victor on Facebook here, and on Instagram here.

Journey to a Dream is brought to you by Kawasaki Insurance and is also supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here.

If you would like to be part of the podcast, get in touch with Beth, by emailing bethespey@manxradio.com