Birch and the Mountain: Herbertson and Melbray Reach the TT Podium
There’s no greater proving ground for rider and machine than the Isle of Man TT. It’s a place where legends are built at 200mph, and for Dominic Herbertson and Melbray Racing, 2025 has delivered a result worthy of celebration.
As many of our friends and clients will know, we’ve been closely following Melbray Racing’s debut on the Mountain Course with genuine excitement. The team’s choice of rider — the popular and fiercely committed Dom Herbertson — showed clear intent. Now, that intent has been converted into silverware.
A Podium in the Supertwin
On board the distinctive Melbray-liveried Paton S1R, Herbertson charged to an impressive third place in the second Supertwin race of the TT week, battling among the class elite. He followed home Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd, putting Melbray’s name firmly in the spotlight at the world’s most iconic road race.
Race one had already shown promise, with a fifth-place finish, but it was in race two that the combination of talent, preparation, and outright determination came good. "I'm absolutely over the moon," Herbertson said in the immediate aftermath — and watching the post-race footage, you’d be hard-pressed to find a truer grin on the island.
Heritage and Ambition
Melbray’s commitment to road racing is more than just a branding exercise. It’s a statement of intent from a company that, like Birch, believes in precision, performance, and real-world excellence. Their foray into the TT with such a technically sophisticated machine — built around the Paton S1R and prepared with Maxton suspension — aligns perfectly with our own belief in engineering without compromise.
And in Herbertson, they’ve found the ideal ambassador. Fast, charismatic, and deeply respected within the paddock, he embodies the kind of authentic performance that we at Birch Gatwick strive for in everything we do — from bespoke car storage to supporting racing’s next chapter. And while we’re best known for our high-end vehicle storage, it’s worth noting that we also accommodate motorcycles — including classic and competition machines, with the same attention to detail and security our clients expect.
The Road Ahead
This result isn’t just a one-off. With the Paton clearly a contender and Melbray’s programme only growing, there’s every reason to believe they’ll be back for more in 2026 — and pushing even harder.
From everyone here at Birch, congratulations to Dom and the Melbray Racing team. We’ll be watching the TT coverage on ITV 4 tonight (Monday 09th) — and proudly cheering on a team that continues to race, like we operate, with real purpose.
It’s worth noting that we are currently custodians of the Melbray Manx Norton—a bespoke, ultra-lightweight racer built specifically for the Isle of Man Classic TT. It can be seen currently in our reception area. Come visit, discuss your storage needs, and see this amazing machine up close!
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