The Biker Mums - Catriona McIntosh Thomson & Jayne Simpson
Not every journey to a dream starts on the Mountain Course - and not every hero in the paddock wears leathers.
In this episode of Journey to a Dream, the spotlight shifts to two important people behind the scenes: the biker mums.
Catriona McIntosh Thomson and Jayne Simpson are known around the paddock as the mums of Grant Thomson and Marcus Simpson, but their role in road racing goes far beyond that.
They talk openly with Beth about what it’s like when your child chooses road racing, the nerves that never quite go away, the early mornings, the overflowing trophy cabinets and the unwavering support it takes to help someone else chase a dream.
Honest, funny, and relatable, this episode is a reminder that while riders take to the course alone, they never get there on their own.
You can listen back to the previous JTAD podcasts with Grant here (https://motorsport.manxradio.com/podcasts/journey-to-a-dream1/episode/grant-thomson-with-special-thanks-to-mum/) and with Marcus here, (https://motorsport.manxradio.com/podcasts/journey-to-a-dream1/episode/marcus-simpson1/) and they both also took part in the first ever Journey to a Dream Live from the Queen's (https://motorsport.manxradio.com/podcasts/journey-to-a-dream1/episode/journey-to-a-dream-live-from-the-queens/).
It would great if you could follow the riders on social media - your support makes such a difference. Grant is on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/Grant-Thomson-Racing/61551577285807/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=7WNBJNmsgfyT0xnu&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1Cy3d9C8Ts%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/grantthompsonracing/?hl=en) and you can find Marcus on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MarcusSimpson23/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/marcuswsimpson/?hl=en) too. You can find details about their supporters clubs here too.
And if you'd like to get in touch with Beth, you can email bethespey@manxradio.com (bethespey@manxradio.com )
30 Jan 2026
Dave Bosendorfer
In this episode, Beth is joined by Dave Bosendorfer - rider coach with the Andreas Racing Association, former Manx Grand Prix competitor, and former scrutineer.
Born and raised on the Isle of Man, and with a dad who loved anything that had an engine, it was probably inevitable that Dave would end up around racing. What might surprise you, though, is that his journey didn’t start on two wheels.
Dave takes us inside his MGP racing career, the decision to step away from competing, and what inspired him to give back to the sport that’s shaped so much of his life.
And if you’ve ever sat there wondering, “Could I actually do this?” - Dave has some honest, practical advice that might just give you the push you need.
Journey to a Dream is supported by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here (https://www.andreasracing.im/members/home) and also the Manx Motorcycle Club. (https://manxmotorcycleclub./)
And if you've enjoyed this podcast, you might like Startline - you can check that out here. (https://open.spotify.com/show/4542gL0wxezG00QeTuRbYf?si=04tpBjy_R5yjSBtqMA820g)
To get in touch with Beth, you can email bethespey@manxradio.com (https://bethespey@manxradio.com/)
15 Dec 2025
Journey to a Dream - Live from the Queen's!
For the first time, we have taken Journey to a Dream out on the road, recording an episode in front of a live audience at The Queen's (https://www.facebook.com/share/1bNRXdfbDy/?mibextid=wwXIfr) pub on Douglas Promenade.
Beth was joined by Manx riders, Grant Thomson (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cy3d9C8Ts/?mibextid=wwXIfr), Rory Parker (https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZZkj928wv/?mibextid=wwXIfr) and Marcus Simpson. (https://www.facebook.com/MarcusSimpson23)
Thank you to Okells (https://www.facebook.com/share/17UsninKdo/?mibextid=wwXIfr) for supporting this event and to Lee and Carol Bartram for organising everything.
Thank you to Hannah McHugh (https://www.hmphotographygallery.com/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOs0WNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeTRZFqKpZBX5zvoPqmkSAYo8gCZzwN4VMMEB3o56jYhC7V9usaqPMh8sEV9s_aem_rbe2EMMWkezcmHDAvndUvA) for the photographs on the night.
It was all to raise money for Tracey's Pictures (https://traceyspicturesiom.com/) who support newcomers every year and you can watch the progamme on Manx Radio's YouTube channel here. (https://youtu.be/jUOlJjcusUE?si=aTZmea5wttP4FDBM)
Journey to a Dream is brought to you by the Andreas Racing Association and you can visit their website here (https://www.andreasracing.im/members/home) and also the Manx Motorcycle Club. (https://manxmotorcycleclub./)
And if you've enjoyed this podcast, you might like Startline - you can check that out here. (https://open.spotify.com/show/4542gL0wxezG00QeTuRbYf?si=04tpBjy_R5yjSBtqMA820g)
To get in touch with Beth, you can email bethespey@manxradio.com (https://bethespey@manxradio.com/)
Inside a recent episode
Jack Fowler
Published 18 Sept 2023 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Would you say there's much that you've maybe sacrificed Jack because of wanting to follow this stream? Yeah, there's a couple of things that probably shone more in the last couple of years, I would say, financially, you're very stretched when you're racing and and I mean really stretched and that's that's like all year round, it's not just the that particular couple of weeks that you've got the event or whatever, you know, absolutely everything is stretched to chase that goal. I think a lot of people probably that aren't involved in racing as such, but maybe fans probably don't see just how much goes into competing at something like the Max Grand Prix. […]
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