2022 Isle of Man TT | Mark Purslow dies after fatal crash in qualifying

The 29-year old from Llanon, Ceredigion in Wales was killed after crashing heavily at Ballagarey, before the fourth mile marker of the 37.7-mile Mountain Course while on his third lap of the evening.

A relative newcomer at the TT, Purslow made his course debut during the 2015 Manx Grand Prix, where he made headlines by winning the Lightweight Race on his debut, while he had become a regular of Classic TT, completing in 2016, 2018 and 2019, plus the 2019 Junior Classic TT.

However, having graduated to making Isle of Man TT debut in 2017, this was only his second appearance at the event itself with a plan to compete in the Supersport class on the Never Be Clever Racing Yamaha R6.

He crashed shortly after recording a new personal best lap of the TT Mountain Course earlier in the session at 120.86mph, his first lap in excess of 120mph. Following Wednesday's third qualifying session he had been classified 20th on the Supersport fast lap timesheets.

Full statement from Isle of Man TT organisers

The Isle of Man TT Races regrets to confirm that Mark Purslow, 29, from Llanon, Ceredigion was killed in an incident during the fourth qualifying session of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. The accident occurred at Ballagarey, before the fourth mile marker, on his third lap of the session.

Mark made his first appearance on the TT Mountain Course at the 2015 Manx Grand Prix where he won the Lightweight Race on his debut. He graduated to the Isle of Man TT Races in 2017, competing in the Supersport and Lightweight classes – 2022 was his second TT.

Mark was also an experienced classic racer, competing at the Classic TT in 2016, 2018, and 2019, with a best result of 14th in the 2019 Junior Classic TT.

Mark had set his fastest ever lap of the TT Mountain Course at 120.86mph earlier in the session, his first lap in excess of 120mph.

The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Mark’s family, friends, and loved ones.

Purslow becomes the 152nd rider to die as a result of injuries sustained competing at the Isle of Man TT, and the 259th on the Mountain Course since the circuit’s inception in 1907.

Crash.net wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Mark Purslow’s family and loved ones