Local girl, Ali Foster, will be lining up on the grid in the
Newcomers B Class and Supertwin races at this year's Manx Grand
Prix, with the realisation that she will finally be fulfilling a
lifetime's ambition to race on the TT course.
Originally from Douglas, but now living in Foxdale, Alison comes
from a family who've long been involved with motorcycle racing,
including her cousins David and Decca Kelly, former winners at the
Manx Grand Prix.
Ali withdrew after her first outing at Jurby airfield after
experiencing poor weather conditions, but during 2007 her
confidence to race returned. She mastered the Race School at Jurby
and was soon gaining valuable experience on the regular track days
at the Jurby Motodrome.
She made a promising start in her first race during 2010 with the
Andreas Racing Association at Jurby and has never looked
back.
Ali has ridden motorbikes since she was old enough to get her hands
on a licence, and after discarding her 'novice bib' worked
diligently towards securing her National Licence, racing at many of
the UK circuits such as Mallory Park, Elvington, Aintree and
Anglesey.
After competing in the last three championship seasons at Jurby,
Ali's most impressive finishes have been fifth place in the 650
championship in 2011 and sixth place in last year's Post Classic
Championship on a 400cc machine. But Ali's greatest achievements to
date have been two podium places on the completion of the end of
season four hour Endurance Race; with a third place in 2010 in
partnership with her friend James Ford and a second place in the
following year with her cousin, Eddie Venn, and Manx Grand Prix
stalwart Kevin Murphy.
Ali's sponsor is long time supporter Hazel Carroon, but many of her
friends have also chipped in to see that she gets to the start line
for this year's festival.
Everyone has pulled together to make Ali's dream possible,
including her mum who kindly donated her own Kawasaki ER6 road
bike, which has been rebuilt into a Supertwin by Ali's fiancé
Steven Beale.
Steven, a Jaguar technician, who wholeheartedly supports Ali with
her quest, was a newcomer at last year's Manx Grand Prix, returning
this year to the Senior race on a 600cc machine.
Ali, who will be joined in the Newcomers Race by her cousin and
Endurance Race partner Eddie Venn, does, however, remain cautiously
optimistic, reminding everyone that her goal is to qualify and
finish the race; bringing her mum's bike home safe and sound with a
smile on her face!
For more information visit Ali's website:
http://alifoster.com
Valerie Caine
© August 2014
(Photos courtesy of Vic Bates; article courtesy of Manx
Tails)