Eleanor 'Elle' Forrest, group health and safety manager
When did you start racing and how did you get involved in the sport? I have always loved fast cars and motorbikes and have watched bike racing since I was a teenager. Soon after I got my first road bike I started doing track days. I also helped out friends who raced at race meetings. However, after going to watch the Ulster Grand Prix in 1999 I finally decided to start racing myself. It was an inspirational race meeting and I decided to stop thinking about it and just do it. I would never have believed that only a couple of years later I would be racing at the world famous Dundrod circuit myself. I started racing on short circuits in 2001 and my first road race was the Dundrod 150 in 2002.
What draws you to road racing? Many Scottish roads, especially the Highland ones, are phenomenal for bikes and almost traffic-free. I have always loved riding on the public roads. I love the different speed corners, the undulations, jumps, bumps and surface changes of the natural roads. I had often imagined how much fun my 125 would be and the thought of being able to ride on roads without junctions, oncoming traffic and speed traps really appealed to me! Sadly there are no real road races in Scotland any more, so I naturally came over to race in Ireland.
What was your first bike? Suzuki Bandit 600
Do you ride a bike on the road? I don't get as much chance to ride on the road now, but I still have a 1992 Suzuki RGV250. The RGV is fast enough to keep up with most road bikes and I always have a lot of fun on it. Before I started racing I had a number of different road bikes including a tuned RGV, Fireblade, 1000 Exup, TRX850, FZR400 and a 748SP.
Do you drive a car? Yes, I have to drive to work.
Was there any family resistance or objections to your becoming involved in road racing? My dad stopped me getting a road bike when I was a teenager; however, I went ahead and bought a motorbike once I left university. I know that my folks worry about me, so I tend to play everything down and I had actually been racing on short circuits for a season before I told them! They are getting used to the idea now and were really proud of me this year when I competed at the Manx. I made history by being the first Scottish girl to race on the TT circuit, and the Scottish media made a real fuss of me. My family know that I am putting everything I have into road racing and have never once been critical.
Is there a biking heritage in your family? My Dad always had motorbikes when he was younger, in fact, that's how my Mum and Dad met. My Dad has a classic bike in restoration and is a big fan of bike sport, especially sidecar racing. My sister also has a motorbike licence.
Do you think road racing is a dangerous sport? Statistically speaking, road racing is not as dangerous as driving a company car. I believe there is emotional and physical risk in everything in life worth doing, and in road racing, the rider always has the right to choose.
Do you worry about your survival as a racer? I love this sport and I accept the risks, and I hope that I ride within my own limits. Rather than trying to set the world on fire, I intend to learn the road circuits and improve my riding over time.
Have you encountered any sexism on the circuit as a woman racer? No, my fellow riders are fantastic. In road racing everyone deserves and gets respect.
Have you ever had an accident on the bike? I have had a number of road accidents before I started racing, including one really serious one. I came around a fast corner and had a head-on collision with a car that was overtaking on my side of the road. Fortunately I went over the car but my FZR1000 went under it.
Any tips for survival on two wheels? Before I raced I did the IAM and BMF training and tests, initially just to reduce my insurance premiums. Ironically the advanced training actually made me a far quicker but safer road bike rider, and these skills have definitely saved my life since. My advice for road bike riders would be to take advanced training, ride within your own limits, and always wear the right protective gear.
If you won the lottery what would be your dream bike? This is where I am the luckiest person I know. My dream bikes are the RS125 and RS250, both of which I already own. However, I would love to own a large shed full of bikes, and if I won the lottery I'd want a RC30, a Britten and a RGV500 in amongst them.