Right then people. Obviously you've already got the 1985-1998 and 1999-2009 box set compilations (and if you haven't, why not!) so it's now time to complete your collection and bring it bang up to date with MHV's latest offering, all the races from 2010 right up to the present day.
It seems hard to believe that four-times-on-the-bounce world champion Carl Boardley's last win was now nearly a decade ago, but he also came pretty close to winning again in 2010. See how the much vaunted ‘Drive for Five’ came so near yet so far from succeeding.
With Matt Simpson having secured pole position for the 2011 race, it looked like his best ever shot at taking the title which had always eluded his famous father. But it was a dream left unfulfilled, Matt spinning out of a lead battle with Shane Murphy. Watch how Malcolm Blackman turns the situation to his advantage to score win number two for the 911 team.
Ideal Simpson conditions of torrential rain gave him another crack at the title in 2012 but, once again, it all came to naught in another drama-filled event. Blackman's fight to retain his title will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout several changes of lead before Ulster's Glenn Bell sweeps to victory.
A year later and with Bell on pole, a successful defence of his gold roof looked to be on the cards, as the field blasted round in the very hot sunshine which blessed the 2013 race, a complete contrast to the previous year. But this was another race which proved far from predictable, Bell having to square up to 2010 winner Chris Haird before Chris eventually loses out as John Christie powers through to become the first ever second generation winner.
2014 was a race that started out on a wet track and was bedevilled by showers for much of the 75 laps too. Haird claimed pole but that was in the dry and, as a well-known hater of wet weather racing, it seemed unlikely he'd be able to turn it into another victory. Marvel at how he overcomes both his ‘mental block’ and the opposition.
2015 looked very much like being the year that a Republic of Ireland driver finally ascended the top step of the podium, Shane Murphy having been ’knocking on the door’ for quite some time. After claiming pole in Hot Laps it looked even more likely - but that reckoned without occasional rain spotting the track and a determined drive by Bell as he sought his second win. Don't be off making the tea while they battle for the lead!
One year on in 2016, we had another race and grid line up which suggested that the winner was probably going to speak with an Irish accent of one sort or another. Adam Maxwell had pole with fellow NI racer and relative newcomer Derek Martin alongside. Murphy was on row two for his defence with best English hope Haird next to him. Do not take your eyes off the Maxwell-Murphy scrap for the lead and how that pans out!
After several near misses, Haird finally delighted his fans by totally dominating the 2017 event, overcoming all the opposition and shrugging off several yellow flag cautions and subsequent restarts along the way.
This brings us right up date and 2018. It would be fair to say this one almost counted as a ‘shock’ win, but it didn't look that way for most of the distance, with Bell seeming a cut above everyone else and just cruising to an overdue second win. Of course in the end it didn't happen, Spedeworth's own Billy Wood coming through to snatch his first World win. It was still far from easy though, so sit back and enjoy how he staves off a horde of placemen who all want that gold roof for themselves!
Need to impress your mates with your knowledge as you're watching them line up this year? Better get this in your collection then! Sleeve notes by Graham Brown.
Four Disc Set (Blu-ray 3 Discs)
7 hours 20 mins
