Jamie Williams Supersport winner

Arrowsmith hits the target; emotional win for Williams at MGP.

August 24, 2025

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The first race day of the Manx Grand Prix was perfect for racing; calm; warm, with high cloud ensuring no strobing in the tree lined sections The race started on time and from the off it was a compelling race to follow. Vantage point for this race was the inside of the corner at White Gates in Ramsey. Having come out of the tricky rising Cruickshank’s Corner the bikes power between the houses on May Hill before braking and changing down one gear for the left hand bend. There was a small number of spectators there to watch the race unfold.

The first timing point at Glen Helen showed that Lewis Arrowsmith was continuing what he had done in practice. He led by 3.23s from local favourite Jamie Williams. Michael Gahan held third; Michael Rees, Toby Shann and Liam Chawke completed the top 6; just 2.5s covered them. Eddy Wormald was the leading newcomer in 9^th. At Ballaugh, Arrowsmith led by 2.3s from Gahan, with Williams third 1.16s behind. Jamie Williams was the first to sweep through White Gates, having already taken the 10s starting difference out of Michael Rees. Behind them Arrowsmith had taken 10s out Andrew Farrell. Next through were Chawke and Gahan. The timing beam at White Gates showed that Gahan led on corrected time, by 0.259s from Arrowsmith; with Williams third. There was neat, fast riding for the spectators to enjoy and no moments to report upon. The order was the same at the Bungalow, the lead here up to 1.085s.

A quick mountain descent allowed Arrowsmith to retake the lead; his lap at 114.238mph gave him an advantage of 0.962s over Gahan (114.146mph) as he crossed the finish line. Williams remained in third, 3.89s down on Gahan. Shann, Chawke and Farrell completed the top 6; they all lapped at over 113mph. A superfast pit stop routine had Arrowsmith back on track with his lead up to 5.714s.

Gahan began to nibble away at the lead as the second lap progressed; it was 5.523s at Glen Helen; 4.866 at Ballaugh; roughly the half way point of the race. Williams continued to lead on the road as he powered away towards Ramsey Hairpin and the mountain climb but he was now 10.514s down on Gahan and coming under pressure from Chawke and Shann; just 1.53s covered them. Gahan had closed his deficit on Arrowsmith to just 3.67s. Eddy Wormald remained the leading newcomer 2 places and 6.7s ahead of Grant Thomson. Momentum now changed; Arrowsmith gained 1s on the climb to the Bungalow and another 2s on the descent to lead by 6.715s as they charged away to start the final 37.73 miles. Behind them, Shann had taken third from Williams who was just 0.06s ahead of Chawke.

It was déjà vu as Gahan ate into the lead; cutting it to 3.165s at Ballaugh. Shann was third as he crossed the bridge and Chawke had taken fourth from Williams by 0.1s. At White Gates, on the final lap, Arrowsmith led on the road by 25 metres from Williams. Gahan was third on the road and having reduced Arrowsmith’s lead to 1.888s was on course to make this a very close finish. Behind them the man on the move was Harley Rushton; he was 14^th as he passed us on lap 1; he was now up to 7^th. At the Bungalow, Arrowsmith’s lead had been reduced to just 0.744s by Gahan who set the best sector time of the race; a speed almost matched by Rushton. Williams also put in a rapid climb of the mountain to take fourth back from Chawke.

Could Gahan snatch a dramatic victory? The answer was no; his Aprilia was running on fumes at Keppel Gate, and he had to park it at Creg ny Baa; a bitter pill to swallow after such a superb effort. His ill luck left Arrowsmith to win by what looks like a comfortable 18.493s, after a final lap at 115.357mph. Shann took second by 1.605s from Williams; whose great effort over the mountain left him 4.1s ahead of Chawke. In their second year at the event, Caomhan Canny and Harley Rushton took fifth and sixth respectively; Rushton setting the fastest lap of the race at 115.400mph. Rushton will be one to watch in the Junior; if he can make a faster start than today. Eddy Wormald was best newcomer in 8^th; with Grant Thomson 10^th; names to watch in the future.

Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club Supertwin Race

Lewis Arrowsmith Aprilia 113.902mph
Toby Shann Kawasaki 113.316mph
Jamie Williams Aprilia 113.266mph
Liam Chawke Kawasaki 113.139mph
Caomhan Canny Aprilia 112.992mph
Harley Rushton Kawasaki 112.644mph

After the luncheon break it was time for the Supersport Race over 4 laps to take centre stage. The vantage point was on the inside of Cruickshanks Corner in Ramsey; this gives a much greater impression of speed than the opposite side of the course. The first timing beam at Glen Helen showed that the script expected by many was not being followed. Johnny Stewart was the leader of the race on his Kawasaki. Toby Shann was second, 0.6s behind Stewart. Chris Cook held third; Caomhan Canny fourth, Jamie Williams fifth and Don Gilbert sixth. 2s covered first to sixth.

Cook was rapid on the 8 miles from Glen Helen to Ballaugh; he was the leader there; 0.86s ahead of Shann. Stewart, Ryan Whitehall, Williams and Canny completed the nascent leader board. Jamie Williams led on the road at Cruickshanks on his JLG/NCE Honda. He was on the ideal line as he swept through the tricky, rising right hand bend at about 90mph. Chris Cook was next, it appeared that he had cut into the 10s starting interval between them. The action was excellent for the spectators who had gathered, mostly on the outside of the course, to watch the riders hustle their mounts between the walls of the houses lining the course. There were no moments to give concern to James Stanfield and his group of marshals. Cook was the leader of the race by 1.5s from Shann; with Williams up to third 1s further behind. Canny, Stewart and Whitehall held fourth to sixth. Local newcomer Grant Thomson was having stellar ride; he was eighth, 2s behind Don Gilbert.

At the end of the first lap less than 1s covered the leading trio, Cook (119.222mph) led by 0.176s from Williams (119.204mph), with Shann (119.123mph) only 0.775s further back. Canny, Whitehall and Gilbert held station; they all lapped at over 118.5mph. Grant Thomson completed his first lap at 118.273mph to hold eighth.

Cook was 0.52s ahead at Glen Helen, the only change in the batting order being Gilbert displacing Stewart from sixth. The lead was 0.26s as the leading duo crossed the timing beam at White Gates; at the Bungalow it was 1.327s. Williams was the quicker man on the descent; especially on the final short sector from Cronk ny Mona. He came in for his pit stop as the leader of the race by 1.865s; having joined the Tommy Club by lapping at 120.005mph. Canny retained his podium position; Whitehall and Shann; were close behind; all having lapped at over 125mph.

Canny had the fastest pit stop, gaining 4s on his rivals; importantly for Williams he gained 2.2s from Cook. The effect of those stops manifested itself at Glen Helen; Williams led by 2.386s from Canny; with Cook third, 2.1s down on Canny. Canny was quickest on the run to Ramsey; he had cut the lead to 0.947s as they began the mountain climb. Cook was over 6s down on Canny and being hauled in by Whitehall. Canny edged closer on the mountain climb; but Williams was faster on the descent; he led by 1.4s going into the final lap.

The pace was hot to Glen Helen, where the lead for Williams was 1.836s from Canny. Whitehall now held third; he and Gahan averaged over 125mph for the 9 miles from the start line. Grant Thomson retired from the fray leaving Eddy Wormald (12^th) as the leading newcomer. Williams edged away from Canny and at Ramsey his lead was 3.31s; the fastest man on track was Gahan in fifth. Williams increased his lead to over 6s on the climb to the Bungalow; surely victory was going to be his.

Despite Canny’s best endeavours Jamie Williams took a superb victory by 6.653s from Canny. Williams’ last lap was at 120.524mph; Canny’s was 119.966mph. Whitehall; who rides without any pit boards; joined the Tommy Club by lapping at 120.583mph to finish just 2.024s down on Canny. Cook in fourth and Gahan in fifth also joined the Tommy Club; Cook with 120.005mph and Gahan with the fastest lap of the race at 120.664mph. Shann finished sixth; 6.3s ahead of a hard charging Stewart. Leading newcomer was Wormald in a fine 13^th place at 117.111mph.

One year ago, Jamie Williams was lying in a hospital bed as a consequence of a crash at Kate’s Cottage in the opening practice session. The outpouring of emotion at the end of the race understandable and deserved after all of the effort put in to making it happen; this was one of the most popular wins in the history of the event. It was all the better for it being hard won. It seemed entirely fitting that Jamie should join the Tommy Club in this race.

The Senior seems set to provide a fitting finale to this year’s Manx Grand Prix.

Supersport Manx Grand Prix