Jim Moodie (motorcyclist)

Summary

Jim Moodie born 15 February 1966 in Dumfries[1] is a former British Superbike, Supersport and Isle of Man TT racer who retired in 2003 from the TT races after being involved in the accident that claimed the life of David Jefferies.[2] He also raced successfully in British Superbikes, finishing second on two occasions and winning the Supersport championship twice, the first time with his own private bike.[3]

Moodie's first TT win was in 1993 when he was successful in winning both the 600 and 400 Supersport classes, his final win was in 2002 when he won the Junior TT giving him a total of eight TT wins. In the 1998 production TT, Moodie riding a Honda, posted the first ever lap of over 120 mph by a rider on a standard road going production motorcycle. In 1999, riding the by-then ageing 750 cc Honda RC45 against the newer, more powerful 1000 cc Yamahas ridden by David Jefferies and Ian Duffus, Moodie broke the outright TT lap record, then held by Carl Fogarty, from a standing start, a feat not achieved since the late 1960s by world champion John Surtees. However, tyre issues forced Moodie out of the race while in the lead. Moodie was the last rider to break the outright record on a 750 cc machine.[4]

Apart from his racing prowess Moodie was well known for his abilities to develop and set up race machines. One being a twin shock Duckhams rotary Norton that won the British Superbike championship in 1994, and also the Valmoto Racing 2003 Triumph 600 Supersport machine that, against most pundits expectations, won the Isle of Man TT that year in the hands of Bruce Anstey.[5]

After retirement, Moodie worked as a dealer of motorhomes and as a motocross rider coach with a base in Scotland, instructing riders such as John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson, Glen Richards, Stuart Easton and Alex Lowes.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Jim Moodie". Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  2. ^ Ltd., Maxima Systems. "Isle of Man Guide - TT, No More TT for Jim Moodie".
  3. ^ "World Superbike Rider Profile - Jim Moodie - WSB Archives". Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Jim Moodie - Competitors - Isle of Man TT Official Website".
  5. ^ "Database". www.iomttraces.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Whatever happened to TT hero Jim Moodie?". www.motorcyclenews.com. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2024.