British Superbike rider Storm Stacey has claimed his pick-up truck passed a four-hour vehicle examination without fault after it was seized by police during this year’s Isle of Man TT.
The 23-year-old North West 200 winner has now revealed further details of the incident in a YouTube video published on Wednesday evening, including details of a late-night police escort to the vehicle testing centre, a dispute over his truck’s wheel arches and his claim that officers temporarily lost track of his keys.
He had been travelling along Douglas promenade with a friend ahead of a planned appearance at the beach race when an unmarked police car pulled him over.
Stacey said officers told him the vehicle was dangerous and unroadworthy because its wheels protruded beyond the wheel arches.
He claimed he asked to be given seven days to rectify the issue, but the vehicle was seized under road traffic legislation.
‘I know I've done something wrong. I'll accept that,’ he said in the video.
‘Let's just go about it with an easy way that we can get it sorted and go on our way.’
Stacey said he spent several hours at the scene, with members of the public gathering around the truck, before it was eventually taken to the testing centre.
He claimed officers initially agreed he could modify the rear wheel arches to cover the wheels, but a subsequent disagreement over whether the modifications were sufficiently secure meant the vehicle could not be driven away.
The rider said he eventually drove to the testing centre at around midnight under police escort, with blue lights on and an officer accompanying him.
Stacey later claimed the vehicle underwent a four-hour examination and passed without any faults.
He also alleged that confusion over the whereabouts of his keys delayed the process, saying he made a lost-property complaint at the police station before they were eventually found in a locker.
The rider said he was ultimately given three points and a £120 fine.
He claimed the points did not affect his UK driving licence.
The incident attracted considerable attention during TT fortnight, with Stacey's distinctive Dodge Ram pick-up and its motocross bikes drawing crowds on Douglas promenade.
In a statement issued at the time, the Isle of Man Constabulary confirmed the vehicle had been seized under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1985.
A spokesperson said: ‘On the evening of Monday 1st June, Police seized a motor vehicle under Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1985 in the area of Harris Promenade, Douglas.
‘We are aware of the social media commentary in relation to this however, as this is a fairly routine matter, we will not be commenting any further.’
Stacey, who made headlines in May after beating TT legend Michael Dunlop to victory in the Superstock race at the North West 200, said he had continued driving around the island after getting the truck back.
He also suggested the vehicle's size had made it difficult to recover, claiming the recovery trucks initially sent to the scene were not big enough to transport it.
The rider ended the video by joking that the pick-up, which he said was capable of producing around 600 horsepower, allowed him to park wherever he wanted because it was too large to be towed or clamped.
The truck is now being offered for sale, Stacey added.
There has also been speculation that Stacey could compete at the Isle of Man TT in the future, although he has previously suggested he would not take part because of a promise made to his late father over the dangers of the Mountain Course.
Isle of Man Today has contacted the Isle of Man Constabulary for comment.
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