Our Riders

Ben Wylie

Ben began racing in 2000 in the Aprilla Superteen Championship alongside Casey Stoner, Chaz Davies and Cal Crutchlow. From there he moved on the first Junior Superstock Championship in 2001 and from there into British Superstock as well as some European Superstock races. He then did a full year in the World Endurance Championship in 2005 finishing 6th in the World championship and he also competed in the Bol Dor and Suzuka that year finishing 7th and 9th respectively. Ben then spent three years in the British Supersport Championship and Cup Championship winning a race and getting lots of podium places. Ben Wylie

In 2009 Ben switched to the roads and after a disastrous NorthWest 200 he learned many lessons and went on to the TT. This couldn't have gone better. He ended up winning the coveted Best Newcomer award as well as recording a lap of 121mph, at the time making him one of the fastest newcomers ever. In 2009 he also did the Ulster Grand Prix finishing in the top eight in both Supersport races.

In 2010 Ben spent his season building upon his first year of road racing and then in 2011 he managed to secure some backing to build his own Yamaha R6. Ben rode this in the TT and finished 8th and 7th in the two Supersport races and was the highest placed privateer in both. Unfortunately, he did not have the funds to run a 1000cc machine so only competed in the two Supersport races but despite this he still managed to come in third in the Privateers Championship.

For the 2012 season, Ben will be riding for AFC Motorsport on one of our Suzuki SV650 Supertwins in the Lightweight TT. Thanks to our help and that of his other sponsors, Brenin Bikes and Per Cup Coffee Company, Ben will compete in all six TT solo races on Yamaha, BMW and Suzuki Machinery and he just can't wait to get started.

Ben works in a cycle shop in Market Drayton, Shropshire (Brenin Bikes, www.breninbikes.co.uk) and he is a keen cyclist of both mountain bikes and road bikes. His family established and have now ran Wylie and Holland Motorcycles for the past 35 years. The Holland name being Cliff Holland who was 1977 Sidecar World Champion and TT competitor

Given Ben's racing experience and achievements on both road and track, he is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. We are confident that Ben will have a very successful 2012 season and are pleased to welcome him to the team.

Billy Smith

Billy came to the Isle of Man in 1978 with his family and was educated at local schools. A plasterer by trade, he owns his own business.

Billy didn’t ride a bike until he was 30. He began racing in 2004 and took part in his first Manx Grand Prix in 2006. He continued to compete in the MGP in 2007 and 2008 but missed the 2009 MGP through injury.

This break in racing lead him to retire from the sport until a mystic revealed he could foresee him winning a motorcycle race...really, it’s true! He began racing again in 2011 and once again entered the MGP, only this time he posted his fasted times and had the time of his life, which lead to his victory in the Lightweight MGP in September 2011.

Shortly after this, Billy had already decided to compete in the TT in 2012, when he was approached by Afcmotorsport. Asked whether he would join the team to race their brand new Suzuki SV 650 Supertwin TT special at the festival, he jumped at the opportunity. He is well respected throughout the racing community and is confident and hopeful of a great racing season and is raring to go for TT 2012.

Billy Smith

Billy Smith (left) with Dave Moffitt

Leslie Carter

Leslie came to the Isle of Man in 2002. A croupier by trade, Leslie never intended to stay but his love of the TT and Manx GP took over and he never left. Leslie began racing in 2007 and took part in his first Road Race in 2010 where he finished 4th in the Clubman race on the Jurby Road Circuit. In 2011 he achieved his dream of racing in the Manx GP, finishing in 15th place in the Newcomers B race.

Leslie will be competing in the MGP in 2012 and he is confident that the experience he gained during the 2011 event will put him in a good position to achieve good results next season.

Leslie has been in numerous press reports but his claim to fame was a 3 page article in AFC Wimbledon's football program.

A very special mention goes to Mike Richardson, AFC Wimbledon's Vice President. A personal sponsor and a very special friend.

Leslie Carter