MCE: Four bikes, Wing? I think that's a new record!
WL: I'm afraid so. Some of my friends think I'm a complete bike nut, but I'm just a simple man enjoying his life with a really great hobby.

MCE: I'm completely with you on that, I reckon everyone needs a hobby, and motorbikes make a great option, don't they? But how come you have four?
WL: Well, I spend most of my life on a bike, as I'm a motorbike courier in London. I'm also really into my track days. With the kids off school over Easter, the roads are quite empty and the sudden spell of warm, dry weather, I've been out as much as possible!

MCE: Have you been on any track days this year yet?
WL: Just one, back in February. I haven't really got started yet.

MCE: February - wasn't that still a bit cold and snowy?
WL: It was cold but it wasn't snowy. I usually go on track days with my brother, James and my friend Alan. Alan has a long wheel base van with a bunk bed installed, so we can get three people and three bikes into it. Perfect. It's great to go with a bunch of you.

MCE: Sounds like you take it pretty seriously.
WL: I love it but I don't do it as seriously as the other two. When we went in February they had cold weather tyres and all the gear. I'm not at the same level (or income!) as them, so I went out on wet tyres. They've got plenty enough grip for me. You definitely can't get enough heat into slicks in February that's for sure.

MCE: I can relate to that. I came off myself at Mallory Park last October. My own fault for being careless, but it really reminded me how important warm tyres are!
WL: Well, after such a cold winter maybe we'll get the hot summer everyone's been talking about for three years!

MCE: Agreed. In the meantime, if you're not riding, will you be watching any BSB racing?
WL:I will and I already have. I was at Brands Hatch for the Indy round in April and I'm hoping to go back for the GP circuit in August.

MCE: Did you get the chance to redeem any Club MCE benefits when you went?
WL: I did. I got to walk through the pits before any of the general public got in there. I've actually done that before, but this time I really felt like I had it to myself. For me though, the highlight of the weekend was walking the grid.

MCE: Why was that so special for you?
WL: I've been riding for twenty years but walking the grid at Brands Hatch is definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had.

MCE: Really? It's great to hear you say that - we’ve been working hard to make Club MCE as rewarding as we can. Tell me why it was so good.
WL: It's amazing how different it is to be there on a big race day. I've been working with my brother this year, as he's racing in the Bemsee Club Championship, so I'm quite used to being out on the grid. But being there for the MCE British Superbikes was nothing like it. When we did the grid walk, we were led out onto the grid as the likes of Josh Brooks and Tommy Hill were lining up for the race. It's just like you see on the TV - riders sitting astride their amazing-looking bikes and sheltering under umbrellas held by gorgeous girls, while the teams make final adjustments to the bikes and tyres. Unlike Bemsee, when you look up, instead of seeing an empty grandstand, you see hundreds, if not thousands of fans looking down at you. Honestly, being there so close to all the riders and those amazing big bikes - it's an unbelievable feeling. You really feel like you're part of the action. What's more, when we left the grid, we started chatting to the MCE pit girls, who were so much better in the flesh than they look on the TV... and they don't look half bad on the TV!!

MCE: They sure don't. Sounds like a pretty good day out!
WL: The whole thing was spectacular. Unfortunately I missed out on the safety car lap, but I've already got my name down for that at the GP round in August. That GTR is an unbelievable car. I only passed my test a couple of months ago, so it should be quite a thrill. I can' wait, to be honest, I've ridden the GP circuit on a track day, so I'd love to see it from a different perspective.

MCE: Did you know that at selected rounds of the BSB you can ride the track before the competitors - or you can walk the track with one or two of the riders?
WL: No, I didn't know that, but it sounds amazing.

MCE: We hope so. Keep an eye on the www.clubmce.com website for more information.
WL: I will. Kiyonari has just come back into the BSB from the WSB. The idea of walking round the track with the likes of him is amazing. I’ve done a lot of track time but one thing that's taught me is you never stop learning!

MCE: Thanks Wing - it's been a pleasure talking to you and I'll look out for you on my next track day!