Dom Herbertson

Yet another current TT rider who comes from a racing family, Dominic Herbertson’s father Mark has been a regular at the TT, Manx GP and Classic TT whilst Dominic’s own career has built steadily over the years, the highlight to date being victory in the 2018 Junior Classic TT.

At the main TT, he’s been a bit of a slow burner after stepping up from the Manx GP in 2014. Those first few years saw the Northumbrian establish himself as a solid midfield runner and TT performer without really knocking on the door of the top twenty. But when he finally achieved it, it opened the door for him to feature there more prominently.

A 125mph lap on the final lap of the 2016 Senior gave him the confidence and belief to use it as a platform for a march towards the top ten. Competing with some of the stalwart TT privateer teams, his first top ten finish, tenth, came in the 2018 Lightweight race and although he retired from the Senior, an increased best lap of 127mph showed he was heading the right way.

A clear benefit was teaming up with the considerable expertise of Davies Motorsport and crew chief Colin Davies who has numerous years as mechanic to Kevin Schwantz amongst the highlights on his CV. Immediately successful at the Classic TT, when they made the move to the TT in 2019, Herbertson took full advantage with the highlight being the Senior when he took tenth place and lapped well in excess of 129mph.

Further changes followed in 2022 but it proved to be Herbertson’s best TT to date with no less than five top ten finishes, the best of which was eighth place in the Superstock, Supertwin and second Supersport races. He was on course, potentially, for a top six finish in the Senior before a heavy crash at Glen Helen reminded him of how quickly the Mountain Course can bit back although he escaped with minor injuries.

His improved upon that in 2023 where he took a new career best of seventh in the opening Supertwin race but although he took three more top ten finishes, including eighth and a maiden 130mph lap in the Superbike race, there was overall frustration for Herbertson with reliability issues causing a number of retirements. A spill at the Manx Grand Prix, putting him out of the event, added to that frustration so he’ll be wanting a lot more in the years ahead.

An extremely positive and jovial character, Herbertson has also appealed to the wider racing world with his ‘Chasin’ the Racin’ podcast which, despite the untimely loss of co-host and former National Superstock 1000 Champion Chrissy Rouse, he’s continued to the same high levels with former TT racer Joe Ackroyd.

VIEW FROM OUR RIDER LIAISON OFFICERS

Dominic’s a very talented rider but he maybe should have achieved more than what he has and progressed quicker. Something seems to be holding him back so maybe he needs to be a bit more focused on his racing whilst sharpening up his skills on the short circuits, like his contemporaries, will certainly stand him in good stead.

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