Phil Hogg started his racing career in 1985 on a road going 350 Yamaha at the Isle of Man’s Jurby airfield circuit. In 1986 he gained his National Licence and took part in his first Road Race on the Jurby Road course, finishing in the top half in all races. Near the end of the season, a GSXR 750 Suzuki was supplied by friend and long term sponsor Roy Shirlaw of Shirlaws in Aberdeen. The 1987 Manx Grand Prix saw Phil take to the Mountain Circuit for the Newcomers 750. The race itself saw Colin Gable taking honours with Phil second in a record breaking race.
For the 1988 TT a new GSXR 750 Suzuki and 350 Yamaha had been supplied by Roy Shirlaw and the magnificently painted 1000 Genesis supplied by Mike Smart of Smart Tyres. Phil entered the TT Production 750 and 1000 classes and came 21st in the 750 and 17th in the 1000 class. Following on from the TT, Phil’s first major victory came at the Southern 100 when he beat close friend and rival Dave Leach to win the Open class. At the Ulster Grand Prix, he finished in the top ten in the Super Stock class and in the top half in the Open class lapping at over 110mph.
Phil’s finest hour was at the 1988 Manx Grand Prix. Wednesday’s Junior turned out to be an eventful race with a spill at Governors Bridge followed by an unscheduled pit stop to check for any damage. Even after this, he came 6th with his fastest lap in excess of 106mph. Friday’s Senior saw Phil starting No. 2 and at the end of the 1st lap, Phil broke the 20 minute barrier for the MGP recording a time of 19:51.2 and a speed of 114.02mph. The second lap was even quicker and Bungalow to Bungalow was in excess of 116mph. Unfortunately Phil came off at Cronk-Ny-Mona breaking his wrist.
Tragically, Phil died during the Friday morning practice for the 1989 TT when he came off the TZR at Ballagarey in Glen Vine.
That year, his family and many friends provided the finance for the first Phil Hogg Motorsport Rescue Unit – an ambulance, converted to carry medical and rescue equipment for motorsport events, the Islands first MSA, now MSUK, registered Rally Rescue Ambulance.
The Hogg Motorsport Association now consists of 21 volunteers, all of whom are trained and experienced in motorsport events. Those working at Hogg Rescue had to obtain eight signatures at major rallies and attend two MSA, now MSUK, approved training weekends before becoming trainee crew for a number of years prior to full licensing.
The team are all unpaid volunteers. When attending events a charge to offset the considerable running costs of the vehicles are made. This however, does not cover the full operating expenditure and support comes from other sources especially the Rob Vine Fund helped considerably by Sheila, Alex and Shaun Hogg, their family and friends.
Hogg Motorsport attend all the car rallies on the Isle of Man. They will also attend all Isle of Man motorcycle road race events such as the International TT, Festival of Motorcycling, Southern 100 and Andreas Racing Association Jurby circuit races, Southern Motor Cycle Club Enduros as well as Manx Motor Racing Club hill climbs, and Onchan Raceway stock car meetings.
Each year, the crew cover over 130 motorsport event sessions.
