Startline - Road Racing podcast

Beth Espey
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Startline is a podcast about all things road racing.  Radio TT and Manx Grand Prix presenter Beth Espey talks to riders, teams and organisers of events both on the Isle of Man and further afield to find out what it really takes to earn a spot on the grid. If you would like to get involved, email beth@startline.im

  1. 14h ago

    Startline Ep 68 - It was never the plan….until it became everything: Kristýna Jakesch

    Sometimes the best journeys in motorsport are the ones you never planned. For Czech road racing rider Kristýna Jakesch, what began almost by coincidence has developed into a passion that has become a huge part of her life. Having started racing around nine years ago, Kristýna has worked her way through the challenges of learning the sport, finding opportunities to develop and establishing herself in an increasingly competitive racing environment. Based in Brno, home to the famous Masaryk Circuit, Kristýna balances her racing ambitions with a demanding career in cyber security management. Funding much of her own racing journey, she has built her experience through determination, hard work and the support of some fantastic people along the way. Now, a new and exciting chapter is on the horizon. Having fallen in love with the TT paddock and the incredible community surrounding the Isle of Man races, Kristýna is setting her sights on the Manx Grand Prix. We chat about her unconventional introduction to motorcycle racing, the challenges of being a female rider, the importance of the people around her and why she believes that preparation, patience and enjoying the journey are just as important as the results. It's a story of unexpected opportunities, determination and daring to imagine something that once seemed completely out of reach. If you would like to follow Kristýna's progress, you can find her on Facebook here and Instagram here.   The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  2. Oct 29

    Startline Ep 67 - Twenty-ish Bikes and a 100-Mile-an-Hour Dream: Jeff Smith

    What does it take to keep chasing a dream when the finish line is never quite the end of the story? In this episode, Beth sits down with classic motorcycle racer Jeff Smith to talk about a lifetime spent on two wheels, the friendships forged through racing, and the special place the Isle of Man holds in his heart. From racing around a warehouse on a childhood mini bike with his brother to winning the British Endurance Championship and making his debut on the Isle of Man in 2014, Jeff’s journey hasn't been completely straightforward. There have been broken bikes, broken bones, financial sacrifices and plenty of adventures along the way - but never any shortage of enthusiasm. Jeff shares what makes the Island so special, why the Classic TT is about far more than winning, and how receiving the Spirit of the Classic award in 2025 meant so much to him. We also hear about the people who have supported him, his plans for the 2027 races and the ambition that continues to drive him: achieving that 100-mile-an-hour lap. And, of course, there’s plenty of humour along the way -  including a rather flexible answer to the question of exactly how many bikes he owns... This is a conversation about passion, perseverance, friendship and the joy of simply being part of something you love. If you would like to follow Jeff on social media, he's on Facebook here and Instagram here.   The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  3. Oct 22

    Startline Ep 66 - What a difference a year makes: Back with Ashley Robson

    A year ago, Startline began with a conversation and a dream. Our very first guest, Ashley Robson, was hoping to make it to the Manx Grand Prix. Twelve months later, she's back - and this time she's got an incredible story to tell. From the nerves and excitement of her first solo lap of the Mountain Course to breaking the 100mph barrier and securing a ninth-place class finish at the Classic TT, it's been a remarkable year for Ash. She joins Beth to reflect on the experience, the extraordinary support of her family and team, the friendships and atmosphere in the paddock, and the hard work behind making a dream come true. Ash also has some valuable advice for aspiring newcomers, particularly those who've faced disappointment in the entry process -  she's living proof that persistence pays off. And with the MGP now under her belt, there's already another ambition on the horizon... One year since our very first episode, we're back where Startline began - celebrating just how far one rider has come, and looking ahead to where the road might take her next. You can find Ashley on Facebook here and Instagram here.   The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  4. Oct 15

    Startline Ep 65 - From the hedge to the TT podium: Simon Warren and Team Melbray

    What happens when a lifelong TT enthusiast decides that watching from the hedge isn't quite enough? For Simon Warren, the answer is Melbray Racing  - a team that has gone from a chance conversation and a dream to standing on the podium at the Isle of Man TT in a remarkably short space of time. In this episode of Startline, we discover how Simon's childhood fascination with motorcycles, a chance encounter with Glen English and a love of classic racing led him into the extraordinary world of team ownership. It's a journey involving a race bike rebuilt in a tiny plastic garden shed, a memorable first meeting with Michael Dunlop, podium success with Glen English and Dom Herbertson, and an increasingly successful partnership with Eddie Laycock and legendary racer Mike Browne. But Simon's story is about much more than results. He speaks candidly about the pressures of running a team, the responsibility of keeping riders safe, the financial realities of racing and the agonising minutes spent waiting for a rider to come home. There are plenty of laughs along the way, some genuinely moving moments and a fascinating insight into the differences between the Classic TT and the TT paddocks. And with ambitious plans already taking shape for 2027, it seems Melbray Racing's remarkable journey is only just beginning. Above all, it's a story about what makes Isle of Man road racing so special – and how a lifelong fan can end up becoming part of its history. You can follow Simon on Facebook here and Melbray Racing on Instagram here   The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  5. Oct 8

    Startline Ep 64 - Chasing the Mountain: Skyler Gore

    This week, we’re hearing from a rider who travels a very long way in pursuit of a dream. Skyler Gore grew up racing motorcycles in a small farming town in Oregon, with bikes very much part of family life. But since he was around 15 years old, there’s been one particular ambition that has stayed with him - getting to the Isle of Man and becoming part of its extraordinary road racing story. After making the journey across from the United States, Skyler got his first taste of Irish road racing, raced at the Tandragee 100, and spent time at the Manx Grand Prix helping in the pits. Now, he’s hoping that his next application will finally give him the chance to take to the Mountain Course himself. It’s a story about racing, family, determination and the sometimes slightly crazy lengths we’ll go to for the things we love. You can follow Skyler on Facebook here and Instagram here The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  6. Oct 1

    Startline Ep 63 - That’s Going to Be Me Dad: Callum Hirst’s Manx Grand Prix Dream

    For Callum Hirst, racing the Mountain Course has been the dream for almost 20 years. He was just nine years old when his dad brought him to the Isle of Man for the Centenary TT in 2007. Standing at the top of Bray Hill and watching the bikes come past, Callum turned to his dad and told him that one day it would be him. Now, that dream is beginning to feel much closer. After years in motocross, Callum moved into road racing only last year, but has already made a huge impression. His sights are now firmly set on MGP 2027.  Beth catches up with Callum to talk about where that ambition began, his rapid progression on short circuits, the physical and mental preparation he believes the Mountain Course demands, and the enormous amount of work happening behind the scenes to give himself the best possible chance of reaching the Startline. There’s plenty of confidence, plenty of laughs and a very clear sense that, for Callum, this is about far more than simply entering a motorcycle race. You can follow Callum on Facebook here and Instagram here. The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  7. Sep 24

    Startline Ep 62 - From the Canadian Army to the Mountain Course: Dallas Reynolds

    Canadian racer Dallas Reynolds has taken rather an unusual route towards the roads. After 13 years in the Canadian Army, including deployments overseas, Dallas turned his attention increasingly towards racing, progressing from club competition at home, through the Canadian national series and ultimately onto the Irish roads. Now, the Isle of Man is firmly in his sights. In this episode of Startline, Dallas talks about where his fascination with the TT and Manx Grand Prix first began, the influence his military career has had on the way he approaches racing, and what he has learned from two seasons competing on the roads. Having already experienced the MGP from inside the paddock as part of another rider’s team, Dallas is now preparing to submit his expression of interest for 2027 and hoping his next visit to the Island might finally be as a newcomer. We also talk about learning the Mountain Course, dealing with setbacks, the importance of preparation and why, for Dallas, the answer is simply to keep putting the work in. You can follow Dallas on Instagram here and Facebook here. The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  8. Sep 17

    Startline Ep 61 - Martin Clare & Amanda Mason: Life's too short, just say yes.

    For some people, racing is something they’ve been doing all their lives. For Martin Clare and Amanda Mason, the journey has been a little less straightforward. In this episode of Startline, we catch up with the pair in the Manx Grand Prix paddock to talk about how they found their way into racing, their love of the roads, a new sidecar partnership that is very much still a work in progress and why sometimes you just have to take the opportunity and see where it leads. There are plenty of laughs along the way, but also a powerful reminder that life is there to be lived. And bacon is not to be burnt. And after this episode - Martin and Amanda did become the last ever Tonfanau Sidecar Champions! You can find their page - LCM Racing on Facebook or you can get in touch with Martin and Amanda directly. The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.   Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.    And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

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About

Startline is a podcast about all things road racing.  Radio TT and Manx Grand Prix presenter Beth Espey talks to riders, teams and organisers of events both on the Isle of Man and further afield to find out what it really takes to earn a spot on the grid. If you would like to get involved, email beth@startline.im

Information

  • Creator
    Beth Espey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Startline - Road Racing podcast

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