The TT Supporters’ Club will again have a major presence at this year’s TT meeting. For over thirty years now the Club, formed purely to assist those who want to fulfil their dreams of racing around the world’s most demanding course, will be based in its shop at the rear of the Grandstand. The profits from the shop – selling sweat shirts, overalls, fleeces, polo and tee shirts, programmes and TT memorabilia – go directly to support the competitors, those who are Club members, this year, benefiting from a gift package, valued at about £35. Although the traditional Soup Tent / Ladies Haven will not be in evidence this year, due largely to the demise of the morning practice when there was a great demand for hot refreshments, it is intended to provide competitors with cool drinks as they finish their races. Competitors will be eligible for entry into the Riders’ Draw, which will be coordinated live on Manx Radio by Club President, Charlie Williams - £1,000 is up for grabs. Information about the physiotherapy service available to riders can be obtained from the Club Shop as can the healthy drink and energy gel services, so popular last year, offered by Dr Adam Standring.

The Club has many Regional and National Representatives who as well as organising fund raising activities throughout the year, offer much practical assistance to competitors. The Club’s principle source of income, however, is through its membership subscriptions – last year the Executive Committee increased the annual subscription to £15, a move it felt should have been made a couple of years earlier, but for this amount considerable assistance is given to the TT competitors – money well spent; in addition all members receive the two half-yearly 52 page glossy magazines.

The Summer 2007 edition is full of information and Club gossip….Craig Atkinson relives that dramatic finish to last year’s Junior MGP, sidecar exponent, Simon Neary, tells of his determination to return the TT after his Brandywell accident of 2006 and Keith Amor reveals how some of the top names, John McGuinness, Big H and Milky Quayle are advising him on how to tackle the event for the first time. Two interesting interviews of a broader nature…Chris Graham, son of TT legend, Les describes life with his Dad during the infancy period of world championship road racing in the early ‘50s and international photographer, Don Morley discusses his TT experiences which embrace over half a century. The life of Douglas Pirie’s TT exploits in the 1930s is told by Isle of Man resident, Dorothy Greenwood…and right up to date, our Regional Reps explain how competitors from their area, both from the British Isles and the continent, are preparing for their annual racing trip to the Island; Italian Rep, Pier Ortalda tells of his efforts to coordinate the entries and participation of four competitors from Italy in this year’s MGP, interestingly, one is Simona Zaccardi, believed to be the fastest female racer in continental Europe. Simon Crellin describes his role as Press Officer to one of the world’s foremost motor sport events.

This year, again, two TT Supporters’ Club trophies will be up for grabs – the main one, a silver tray on a plinth, bearing the name of the Club itself will be awarded to the highest placed finisher aboard a 600cc machine in the Senior Race – Chris Palmer is the current holder after his 15th position last year and the Susan Jenness Trophy will be presented for the most meritorious performance, in the eyes of the Club Executive, by a female competitor. The current holder is Sylvie LeBond, passenger to husband, Francois.
TT fans can find out more about the TTSC by visiting the Club website – www.ttsupportersclub.com – hopefully, on which members will soon be able to listen to race commentaries from yesteryear. Further information about the Club can be obtained by contacting Secretary, Rose Hanks [0121 6863799] or Magazine Editor / Press Officer, Graham Bean [0161 486 6197]. Some might be interested in making a contribution to or advertising in the Magazine. Of course spectators will be able to see Roy Hanks and Phil Harvey, Club Chairman and vice-Chairman respectively, as they fulfil their dreams of competing in the Isle of man TT Races.