SPEED merchant John Coleman put his body on the line when he took on the toughest road race course in the world at the prestigious Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man.

Lashing rain for most of the week made the roads all the more treacherous, and the conditions even claimed the life of a competitor.

Despite the obvious dangers and a severe lack of practice due to the state of the course, adrenaline junkie Coleman, of Danbury Way, Woodford, still managed to race and finish both the junior and senior races, which are open to motorbikes with engine sizes of 600cc and 750cc respectively.

Wednesday’s junior race takes the riders around four laps of the 37 and three quarter mile track, with the winner determined by the highest average speed achieved throughout the race.

Over 90 riders pummel the roads, veering round 225 corners and reaching speeds in excess of 160mph.

Coleman, 43, himself peaked at 156mph on his Yamaha R6, bettering his personal high for last year by 5mph. He managed an average speed of 103.4mph throughout the entire race, which included a pit stop after the second lap to change his crash helmet, after he had been racing ‘almost blind’ as bugs and debris littered the visor.

The Woodford resident finished the race in 70th position, a result he was pleased with. “I was happy with my speed,” he said. “It was a very high standard race. I didn’t have much practice and if I did I could possibly have got up to around 108mph.”

Friday’s senior race posed a much sterner challenge for Coleman and his fellow riders, as patchy rain saw the track fluctuate between wet and dry. It also yielded perhaps his best result of the week, as he was one of 55 riders to complete the race from the 85 that made the start line.

“I managed to wobble my way round and finish but the conditions made it very difficult,” said Coleman. “I was slightly disappointed with the time but there were plenty that didn’t finish so I was pleased that I made it round.”

Fellow Woodford residents Marie and Steve Hodgson were also in action on the island. Marie competed in the junior race and managed an impressive 63rd place, while Steve did not race.

But he can pleased with his effort in the senior race, as he crossed the line in 42nd place, while Marie was two places lower in 44th.