Meet Hicky’s TT team…

Road Racing is truly a team sport and I’ve been lucky enough to build up a fantastic crew around me over the years. In fact, many of them have worked with me for a number of seasons across the British Superbike Championship and the TT.

I’m sure many of you have seen their faces appear across my social media, but I thought it was time to introduce a little about my team and their roles…

 

Darren Jones

What’s your role within the team?

I’m Pete’s Crew Chief as well as the Smiths Racing Team Manager. That means I’m responsible for running the day-to-day things as well as organising everything such as spare parts, race entries, the logistics and also sponsor liaison.

I also look after bike development and building throughout the season with some help from the other boys in the team. There’s only myself full-time and then James (Buckingham) is part-time, so when it’s busy I call on Luke and Dave who are always available to help when I need it.

When we’re at the TT, we have a technician for each bike and then everyone helps each other as and when needed. I also Crew Chief for Hicky, which means listening to his feedback and discussing with Pete Clifford on electronics and the Ohlins technician, before we make a plan for the next session

Your favourite TT memory?

Easy! The 2018 Superstock and Senior races. The Superstock race because it was Pete’s first win and the Senior because of its prestige and it was the race Pete set the new lap record!

What do you love most about TT?

I love how laid back and friendly it is. From the moment you get there, the atmosphere is electric and the island is full of bikers. At the end of every race there is also a real sense of achievement too.

 

Luke Brown

What’s your role within the team?

So I’m Pete’s number one mechanic, which means at the TT I’m responsible for preparing his Superbike and then helping the other boy prepare the rest of the bikes. It’s a real team effort and we always help each other out.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into each bike during the fortnight and that includes stripping the bikes down, cleaning, fixing and meticulously checking over all the components, before then rebuilding the bike to be race fit.

Your favourite TT memory?

Winning the Senior TT is definitely the highlight, but so are all of the wins with the team. I’ve also got great memories of building a bike at the TT in 2019, working throughout the night with little lightning, no testing and then Pete going out the next day and winning the race! We also have some great memories together as a team…

What do you love most about TT?

I love the whole atmosphere on the island, it’s a beautiful island and the fans are incredible. The Smiths team is brilliant and it’s helped by just how relaxed Hicky is! That said, I don’t love the two nervous weeks with little sleep and lots of pressure, it’s become a team ritual that I’m the last person to send Pete off from the line too.

 

James Buckingham

What’s your role within the team?

My role at the TT is to look after Pete’s Supersport bike. This involves a lot of cleaning but also checking everything is perfect and all the bolts and nuts are tight to ensure that we do not have any mechanical issues. Once the Supersport bike is done, I then help Luke and Mathew with their bikes – we’re a big team and it’s a real team effort. We are all

there together and do whatever is needed to get the job done.

Your favourite TT memory?

For me, it was Pete winning the second Supersport TT race in 2019. It was a mega race and it was on the Triumph that I had built and prepared!

What do you love most about TT?

I just love being at the TT with the team. It’s an incredible fortnight and really we are just a bunch of mates that get to go racing.

 

Dave Booth

What’s your role within the team?

My role within the team is as the number one mechanic and engine builder/tuner. So on a BSB weekend or at the TT, I’ll be maintaining the race bikes and doing any engine rebuilding after the scrutineers have done their checks after a race.

Your favourite TT memory?

I have a few! The major personal highlights for me are Peter’s first ever TT win, the Superstock race in 2018. I had rebuilt that engine after the North West 200 scrutineers had stripped it, so putting that engine back together and

seeing Pete won on it was great.

Another one would be his Supersport TT win last year, I tuned and built that engine from scratch and to see it win a TT is something I’ll never forget!

What do you love most about TT?

What’s not to love! Everything about the TT is so unique and special. From travelling over, to working and watching, being so involved with a team, it’s just awesome!

 

Peter Clifford (Cliffy)

What’s your role within the team?

My role as Data and Electronics Engineer is to collect, analyse and interpret data from each bike after every outing. That then lets us work out how to improve the bike by modifying engine performance and rider controls, helping to achieve the best power delivery, traction and rideability.

I’m also regularly liaising with Hicky, Daz and Millsy (our Ohlins Technician) on chassis set up and then with Hicky on throttle control, engine delivery, gearbox and basically every aspect of the engine management to achieve maximum opportunity for him to ride fast while exerting minimum amount of effort. As we progress, the main emphasis turns to fuelling and reliability – fuelling the engine to achieve optimum power while balancing fuel consumption for the races, and checking the performance of every component to try to spot any electrical component anomalies before they become an issue.

Your favourite TT memory?

For me, it has to be the 2018 Senior TT. Hicky had won his first TT earlier that week which was incredible, but that Senior race had everything. An epic battle with Deano and then that 135.452mph on the final lap was something really special and something I’ll never forget… mostly because I have it tattooed on my arm!

What do you love most about TT?

The TT is the ultimate challenge for Rider, Bike and Team and probably the most draining and emotional experience you get as a rider or team member. I’m lucky because we have probably the best team of people in the paddock as far as technical ability and morale goes, we work as a group of mates and everyone is looking out for each other and helping, no ego or agenda, just a group of people trying to make sure everyone can do the best they can. That way everyone is confident and relaxed – especially Hicky.

The Island is a very special place and the people are awesome, the locals, the fans, everyone is there for motorcycles and the racing and everyone is having a great time. Awesome.

 

Matthew Walker

What’s your role within the team?

So my role within the team is as Pete’s chassis mechanic or technician… or whatever the rest of the team want to call

me! Basically, it involves looking after the bike on a race weekend or at the TT and making any necessary changes as well as any

general maintenance that is required.

Your favourite TT memory?

Easy, has to be seeing Pete with that incredible Senior TT race in 2018!

What do you love most about TT?

I love the team spirit and togetherness that the TT brings, living together and working together as a team for the two weeks is what it’s all about!

 

Pete Martin

What’s your role within the team?

My grand title is Tyre Technician, which means I clean the wheels whilst I can also russle up a decent lunch and brew a good cup of tea!

Your favourite TT memory?

Seeing Pete take that lap was definitely the highlight but a very close second would be the Smith’s Racing’s maiden victory in the 2014 Supersport race (I’m a team man!). That one stands out as it was Triumph’s first win in 11 years.

What do you love most about TT?

I love how it is just two weeks of wall to wall motorbikes! It’s brilliant to spend some time with great people who all share the same interests and desires.