Photo: Eric Whitehead

With the vastly experienced and ever popular Welshman at the helm, Team Blackhorse Yamaha continues to go from strength to strength.

2009 sees Ian once again combine his duties of team boss with that of his own racing programme, something he achieved with great effect in 2008 when he was once again at the forefront of proceedings as he claimed the Southern 100 Solo Championship for the second year in a row and the fifth time in total eclipsing the legendary Joey Dunlop's race win tally in the process to became the most successful rider at the event, further wins at Oliver's Mount saw Ian consolidate the honour of the most successful rider ever at the North Yorkshire venue as he raised the bar to 114 wins.  

Sixteen race wins at Aberdare Park were the prelude to a 125cc win at the rain-hit Ulster Grand Prix meeting in August where he also blitzed the opposition in Supersport qualifying.

At the other big two international road races, the North-West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, Ian was again a force to be reckoned with as he claimed two podiums on the Co. Antrim 'Triangle' and six top ten finishes on the Mountain course, three of which were in the top six. He also won the Steam Packet Lightweight 250TT on the Billown circuit.

Indeed, the Isle of Man TT in 2009 will mark another milestone in the career of Ian Lougher as the opening Superbike race on June 6th will see him come to the line on the AIM Yamaha to start his 100th Isle of Man TT, surely something nearing another record.

Ian Lougher Profile

Personal details

Date of birth: 10.07.66

Place of birth: Cardiff, South Wales

Home town: Dromara, Northern Ireland

Marital status: Partner - Jo-Anne

Height: 5' 6"

Weight:  10st 11lb

Hair colour:  Brown - ish

Eye colour: Blue

Hobbies:  Skiing, All Motorsport, Music

Own car: Honda Accord

Own motorcycles:  Honda Varadero/ 1997 Honda RS250/ 1987 Honda RS250

First road race: Llandow (S.Wales) 1982

First win:  Pembrey (South Wales) 1983

Favourite circuits: Isle of Man TT Course/ Assen/Ulster GP Circuit

Ambition: To win a Superbike race at the TT & break lap record.

Likes: Rock Band:  Led Zeppelin / Ice Cream / Red Wine / Humorous People

Dislikes: Cabbage / Arrogance / Reality TV Shows

Favourite all-time riders: Wayne Rainey / Mike Hailwood / Steve Hislop

Most respected rivals:  John McGuiness/ Michael Rutter/ Bruce Anstey

Helmet: Shoei

Leathers: Joe Rocket

Boots: Gaerne

Gloves:  Joe Rocket

Racing accomplishments:  Too many to list

But my major accomplishments are:

8 Isle of Man TT Titles, 8 International North West 200 victories and 12 Ulster Grand Prix wins, 114 wins at Oliver's Mount Scarborough, 32 Southern 100 wins.  2002, 2005 & 2006 Duke Road Race Champion.

The two most memorable moments of my racing career to date are:

The first was beating my good friend Steve Hislop in the 1990 250cc TT by 1.8 seconds and taking both lap and race records, both of which stood for 9 years.  It was my first TT win and so personally very special. I was on Ray Cowles' Yamaha, and at that time, for a privateer rider to beat a factory rider was almost unheard of. 

And the second was: Beating D.J. (David Jefferies) at 2001 Ulster Grand Prix in Superbike Race.

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