Ian Laufer, a 10-time Isle of Man TT winner and racing veteran who has been racing for over 40 years, has officially announced his retirement.
In Welsh racing, he made his Isle of Man debut at the 1983 Manx Grand Prix, where he took his first podium, and made his TT debut the following year.
Lauer finished on the podium again in the Historic 500cc race and eventually won his first TT win in the 1990 Junior race after a duel with Steve Hislop.
Lauer would go on to win a total of 10 TTs, with the veteran showing special skill on two-stroke machines during his career.
With 136 TT starts, 10 wins and 29 podiums, and success in the Classic TT, including a podium in this year’s lightweight race, Lauer retires as one of the most respected racers to have ever competed on the Isle of Man.
He will continue to be involved in island racing as he transitions from his career as an equestrian to team ownership and management at ILR.
In a heartfelt statement, the 62-year-old said:
“Since my first appearance in 1983, I never imagined that I would still be competing more than 40 years later.
“I had been thinking about retiring for quite some time, but I didn’t even tell my wife Asa because I thought it might be bad luck.
“I’ve always said I’ll keep racing as long as I’m competitive and I’d like to think I’ve achieved that. I’m not the type of person to just run around in the back.
“I’m 62 now and I still don’t get nervous going 140 miles an hour past the base of Bray Hill, but I can’t keep going forever and I don’t want to put any more strain on my old body.
“I have some pain, mainly in my knees, but I haven’t had many falls, so maybe I was just lucky.
“I have had the privilege of racing with many great riders and meeting some of the best people in the sport, which not many people get to do. Racing has literally been my life.”
“With ILR Racing, I’ll be participating in even the odd number of laps in the name of testing, but now it’s time to focus on the next generation.
“I have always tried to surround myself with the right people, the right machinery and the right attitude to stay safe and competitive.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way and those closest to me who have endured my single-mindedness over the years. It has been an amazing journey.”