Hutchy: Miracle Man

by Ian Hutchinson, Ted Macauley

Ian Hutchinson – ‘Hutchy’ to his many thousands of fans – is a motorcycle racer like few others. A road racer to the core, he has enjoyed spectacular success, notably at the Isle of Man TT, but his own story goes far beyond even those triumphs.In the summer of 2010, Hutchy set the record for most wins in a single TT festival – five in all – having already won the Supersport class at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. Then disaster struck. At a British Supersport round at Silverstone in September that year, he crashed heavily and was struck by another rider’s machine, breaking his left leg so badly that at one stage it was feared it might have to be amputated. After many surgical operations and a long period of recovery, he fractured the same leg in 2012 while practising exhibition-riding for a motorcycle show.Yet not even these disasters could keep the Yorkshireman from racing. After modifications to the rear-brake and gear levers on his race machines, he went out and won the 2013 Macau Grand Prix. Two years later saw an even more staggering return to form, when he secured three wins, a second and a third place at the 2015 Isle of Man TT, also winning the Joey Dunlop TT Championship Trophy for that year. And 2016 was to prove even better.Honest, brave and quirkily amusing, Miracle Man presents Hutchy’s own accounts and opinions with those of various celebrated figures from the world of motorcycle racing. It is a book not only for fans of road racing, but for anyone interested in the life and career of a brilliant rider and an extraordinarily brave and enduring man, justly popular not just for his achievements, but for his unassuming modesty, kindness and humour.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Ian Hutchinson is a plasma physicist and professor of nuclear science and engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was born in England, educated at Cambridge University, and received his doctorate from Australian National University. His research group explores the confinement of plasmas hotter than the sun's center, aimed at producing practical energy from nuclear fusion reactions, the energy source of the stars. A frequent Veritas Forum presenter, Ian has written and spoken widely on the relationship between science and Christianity. He is the author of over two hundred research articles, and his books include Principles of Plasma Diagnostics and Monopolizing Knowledge.

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having won 5 TTs in a week and overcome career threatening injuries, Ian Hutchinson is a road racing hero who should have a tale to tell. However, I felt this book lacked detail and was "padded out" by information and articles that road racing fans are likely to have already seen elsewhere.

[Jurgita · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a very guarded autobiography. I wouldn't say I have learnt a great deal about who Ian Hutchinson is. Also, felt a bit forced - he is winning all those races, let's cash on it and make him write a book.
As I had very little knowledge about Hutchy besides him winning TT 16 times, those few morsels of insight were greatly appreciated though.

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy to read autobiographical insight into Hutchy's main racing moments, but I felt it lacked any real candour or exploration of the man himself. I can't help but think that this has been written far too early. After a few years, when Ian has had more time to reflect on his life (including the non-racing stuff), perhaps he could give us a more complete picture of who he is.

This book is mostly made up of things that those of us who follow motorcycle road racing have already learned, it contains no new revelations or information normally reserved for an autobiography like this. With his incredible racing record (including THAT amazing 2010 TT!) and his inspirational comeback from horrendous injury, I'm certain that there must be so much more to this bloke than he shows us here.

I'm glad to have read it and don't regret the time investment, but do I know any more about Hutchy after reading it? Nope. After finishing a good biography of a person, you should feel as though you've just spent a couple of hours with them over some beers, listening to their life story and feeling as though you know them almost as well as their mates. In this, Hutchy unfortunately keeps us shut out.

Anyway, if he does give us another chance to get to know him in the future, I will certainly read it. After all, he's still one of my heroes.

[Theo Kokonas · Rating 2 out of 5]

For someone like me that lacks knowledge of the renowned TT races or Ian Hutchinson, it's alright. It's a very quick read, and downright boring in places:
- Not much insight into the man himself other than superficial stuff.
- Endless reproductions of accounts of Hutchy by others.

I was looking for a little more to this than just a rehash of a few racing seasons. Perhaps some detail on his riding technique that works for him. Perhaps a glimpse into technical details of machines he prefers. Commentary on other techniques that he was impressed by. As a reader I wasn't really gripped at any stage. A shame really. No reflection on the chap himself, he seems a nice-enough type.

[Ken Turk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true and fearless racer

Followed Hutchy's career for many years now and this book provides a brilliant insight into the struggles he has overcome with horrific injuries and finding last minute dot .com rides to maintain his hunger for success. He doesn't dwell too much on his Silverstone crash injury which would normally have put an end to the career of any other racer, but more on his fight to get back on two wheels and keep stacking the wins and trophies up again. Overall, a good interesting read.

[alberto armas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hugely disappointing. Lacking detail, far too much reproduction of previously printed comments and articles from third parties. An all round bore.

Hugely disappointing. Lacking detail, far too much reproduction of previously printed comments and articles from third parties. An all round bore.

[Dave Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading Hutchy's story in his own words but sadly a third of the book is made up magazine and newspaper articles written about him.

I will admit that I lost count of the amount of times the 2010 TT was mentioned, yes he did what no one did before or since (so far) but to bleat on about it got tediously dull very quickly.

[Amanda]

I love Hutchy and have seen him interviewed live several times. While this book is a decent insight into his TT wins and his comeback from awful injury it doesn't sound like him. It's co-writer takes over (& must mention about 5 or 6 times how he was responsible for getting Mike Hailwood back to the TT in 1978 🙄). A bit disappointed tbh

[Matt Denning · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reads like it should just be something like a magazine article rather than a book. It's an impressive story (his life) but it doesn't feel the same as other autobiographies

[James Clarke · Rating 1 out of 5]

A rushed, yet rambling recounting of Ian’s career up until the end of 2016. I had high hopes for this book as a big fan of Hutchy, but his co-author Ted Macauley has done him a massive disservice. World class motorcycle racers generally don’t make world class authors, so having a helping hand is a sensible decision. Yet you wouldn’t know it from reading it. Instead we get random short chapters explaining other famous people, woefully little detail of Ian’s seasons, life or early career, huge sections copy/pasted from other sources, and far too much repetition. By the end, on the fifth reminder of Ted being Mike Hailwood’s best friend, it all becomes rather tiresome. Considering the scale of Hutchy’s achievements, injuries and comeback, this book is a massive letdown. Bearing in mind his subsequent career after the book was published, a new book that consigns this one to the bin and brings the story up to the present would be most welcome, saving anyone else from the misfortune of reading this one.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable account of the life of Ian Hutchinson both prior to and throughout his motorcycle racing career. This book was a truly inspirational read!
To go from winning the 5 TT races in 2010 to suffering a horrific leg injury just months later would be enough to crush the future aspirations of the most strong-willed among us, but not Ian Hutchinson! Ian’s account of the highs and lows of his racing career around this time provide a truly awe-inspiring insight into what can be achieved with the right mindset, unwavering determination and positivity in the face of adversity. A thoroughly enjoyable, inspirational and motivational read!

[Daniel Esquivel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you a good idea of what the life of this amazing rider has been, specially after that ugly crash on 2010 and his comeback after that to win professional races again, although I hoped it had more details.

Gives you a good idea of how his relationships are with the fellow racers, his heroes and not heroes.

[Ian Hallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, Ian has overcome an almost life changing event and battled back to winning form again. The book is a bit light on details of his life and his battle back to fitness but never the less is a good read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unless you are into motorbikes and the Isle of Man TT then dont read it
It is simply motorbikes and racing!!
The tragic accident which didn’t hold Ian Hutchinson back.
The book is about his ups and downs and the bits in between.
I really enjoyed it 👍🏻

[Tadhg · Rating 2 out of 5]

A remarkable story ... but a bit light on. Would have preferred more depth.

[Richard Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough, but pretty lightweight. Felt like it could have been so much more. In parts it's just a list of facts.

[Nicolette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting. What a fabulous determined fella he is. Thanks for sharing Hutchy. Perfect read.

[Dave Woodley]

Truly awful, a shameless, lazy, shoddy exercise in cashing in.

The alarm bells started ringing when I opened this rather slim volume and spotted the large print and double line spacing. They got louder as I ploughed through 8 pointless pages listing famous people who are fans of the TT (prizes available to anyone who can tell me who on earth Colin Crutchlow is!). They finally reached deafening level as I endured some of the most horrific sentence structure to ever make it to the printed page, “the awful 2010 Silverstone accident in 2010” anyone?

The book has neither been proofread nor fact checked, apparently Steve Hislop won the BSB championship in 2005, despite dying in an air crash in 2003. It also fills far too much of the limited content with reproductions of newspaper articles, content freely available elsewhere.

But worst of all, there is nothing here of interest, no new information, no insight into the man or the racer and very little about his fight back to fitness. After reading this book I don’t feel that I know Hutchy any better than I already did from a few TV interviews.

A waste of time, a waste of money and a waste of paper. Hutchy’s fans deserve better.