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. 5d ago

    Startline Ep 53 - Adam 'Stretch' Rayner: Finding the racing line

    Adam “Stretch” Rayner may be a latecomer to motorcycle racing, but he is certainly not short of ambition. The six-foot-six welder from South Yorkshire candidly admits that his early riding was sometimess reckless.  A stark warning persuaded Adam to change direction, gain his racing licence and take his natural ability into official competition. Since beginning racing in 2023, Adam has set his sights firmly on the roads. His debut at the Southern 100 in 2026 confirmed that it was where he belonged: despite a slipping clutch and a crash while challenging near the front, he achieved his target of a 100mph lap and describes it as the best racing experience of his life. In this remarkably open conversation, Adam talks about the mentor who helped redirect his life, the people supporting his ambitions and the enormous financial pressure facing privateer racers. He also reflects on becoming a father just six weeks before the interview, the sacrifices racing demands and why his original ambition of simply competing in one TT has now grown somewhat. Funny, forthright and entirely unfiltered, this is Adam “Stretch” Rayner’s journey from the wrong side of the road to the road-racing paddock. You can follow Adam 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. Jul 23

    Startline Ep 52 - Markus Karlsson: New Dad, newcomer, no giving up

    Markus Karlsson has spent almost his entire life on two wheels. The 27-year-old Swedish rider received his first motorcycle at the age of two, began racing at seven and grew up surrounded by bikes, with a road-racing father and a mother who served as a motorcycle police officer. Now Markus is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: making his debut at the Manx Grand Prix in 2026. In this episode, he tells Beth about building his own 600cc race bike from scratch, travelling repeatedly to the Isle of Man to learn the Mountain Course and the moment his acceptance email made him realise that the dream had suddenly become very real. Markus also reflects on struggling at school, finding sponsors from the age of 13 and developing the belief that if somebody else can do something, he can learn to do it too. 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                                                                                                    You can follow Markus on Facebook here and Instagram here. With an epic journey from Sweden to the Isle of Man ahead of him - and a newborn daughter joining the travelling race team - Markus explains why reaching the Manx Grand Prix is a challenge being taken on by the whole family.

  3. Jul 16

    Startline Ep 51 - Chris & Lorna Moore: Racing, romance and a windfall

    If you've ever wondered what it's really like to race on the Isle of Man, here is a behind-the-scenes look from someone living the reality. Growing up, Chris Moore was surrounded by racing - his stepdad was a TT legend, and it all shaped him into a rider who’s been chasing the Isle of Man dream for more than 35 years. It was a life-changing moment in 1996 which helped open the door to the racing journey that followed. From there, Chris has gone on to race on the iconic Mountain Course, building a story of resilience, sacrifice, family support, and real love for the sport. And with his wife Lorna by his side, we really learn that racing isn’t just about speed -  it’s about the highs, the lows, and the people who ride every step of the journey with you.   You can follow Chris 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. Jul 9

    Startline Ep 50 - John and Linda Mullin: Tea, Knitting and nana naps

    In this episode of Startline, Beth meets John and Linda Mullin - two people who prove that road racing is held together not just by speed, skill and bravery, but by tea, calm, kindness, knitting, and the odd well-timed nana nap. From marshalling around the Mountain Course to supporting riders in the paddock, John and Linda share brilliant stories of friendship, teamwork, nerves, laughter and what it really means to be part of the Manx racing family. The Isle of Man is quite literally their second home for much of the year, and if you're on the Island you may have spotted them in the Spaceship....all will be revealed. 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. Jul 2

    Startline Ep 49 - Grant Thomson recorded live at the George

    This episode of Startline was recorded in front of a live audience at The George in Castletown on the Isle of Man. Beth catches up with Isle of Man road racer Grant Thomson after a season that has already brought incredible highs and difficult lows. From a tough first outing at the North West 200 to standing on the top step twice at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races, Grant reflects on how 2026 has unfolded so far. He talks openly about recognising the need to support his mental health, what it means to have family and friends behind him, and - in a Startline first - answers the all-important question: if you were a biscuit, what would you be? You can follow Grant 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. And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  6. Jun 25

    Startline Ep 48 - Aarron West: From the rink to the Mountain

    This week on Startline, we’re joined by Aaron West, a racer from Colorado with one of the most unusual routes to the Manx Grand Prix you’re likely to hear. Aaron didn’t grow up on two wheels. In fact, he only learned to ride a bicycle after seeing TT highlights at the age of 19 and deciding, almost immediately, that one day he wanted to race on the Isle of Man. Since then, he’s gone from a professional ice hockey background to motorcycle racing, winning a US national endurance championship and earning his place as a 2026 Manx Grand Prix newcomer. In this episode, Aaron talks about discipline, determination, learning the Mountain Course from thousands of miles away, the moment his MGP acceptance email arrived while he was in the queue for the Disney teacups, and the huge logistical effort involved in bringing four bikes from America to the Isle of Man. This, once again, is a story about obsession, preparation, family, support, and the pull of the Mountain Course. You can find Aaron 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. And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  7. Jun 18

    Startline Ep 47 - Andrew Coulter: The dream that wouldn’t go away

    This week on Startline, we meet Andrew Coulter -  a Manx Grand Prix 2026 newcomer from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who has spent years quietly carrying a dream that first started when he was just a kid riding bikes in the street. Andrew’s route to the Mountain Course hasn't been instant or easy. There have been gaps, setbacks, crashes, work pressures, family life and all the usual chaos that comes with trying to go racing while also running your own business. But through all of that, the same thing has kept pulling him back: the feeling that if he did not give this a proper go, he would regret it forever. In this conversation, Andrew talks about learning to ride with his brother in the front garden, getting back on track after confidence-knocking accidents, the moment his MGP newcomer email arrived while he was halfway through a service at work, and the reality of preparing for the Mountain Course with a very full to-do list. We also talk about family, fear, support, sidecars(will he passenger or drive...?), paddock life, and what success really looks like for a newcomer: qualifying, finishing, and coming home safe. You can follow Andrew's progress 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. And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im

  8. Jun 11

    Startline Ep 46 - Stephen Walsh: Juggle if you want to go faster

    What makes someone spend years chasing a dream that most people would never dare attempt? And what is it about road racing that keeps people coming back, despite the risks, the setbacks, and the sacrifices? In this episode, Beth Espey sits down with Irish road racer and psychologist Stephen Walsh, whose life is split between brain injury rehabilitation by day and classic motorcycle racing at weekends. And while they discuss Stephen's own road racing journey, this conversation goes far beyond motorcycles. Drawing on his work as a psychologist, Stephen explores the fascinating links between performance, resilience, attention, and mindset. Why do some people thrive under pressure? How much of success comes down to talent, and how much is shaped by environment? And what can road racers teach the rest of us about overcoming setbacks and achieving our goals? Along the way, you'll hear about the unique camaraderie of the road racing community, the strange calm of standing in No Man's Land before a race, why visualisation matters, and Stephen's intriguing theory that juggling might actually make you faster on a motorcycle. Whether you're a racer, a sports fan, or simply interested in what makes people tick, this is a fascinating insight into the psychology of performance and the enduring appeal of life on two wheels. You can find Stephen on 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. 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
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Startline - Road Racing podcast