Don't ya forget

http://www.ttfan.co.uk

Thought I'd bring this back up to the top and maybe some more people would post about themselves... or Cargo and I will tell their tales for them!
When did you first take an interest in the TT? What brought it about? Have you been...cos I know we have some very keen members who, for one reason or another have never made it across?
Have you raced? Here or elsewhere? where do you like to watch etc etc etc.. it's the quiet time of year, so let's get to know each other better while we have the time.

Alright then, here goes...

My (and my twin brother's) first TT was in 1964 - we were 4 years old. Before that my old man went to the first MGP after the war in 1946 and then the TT in 1947. My late mother did her first TT in 1956 and apart from a short break due to me and our kid (he's 15 mins younger than me!) went until just before we lost her in 2002. The old man still goes and did both the TT and MGP this year.

The only TT I've missed since '64 was the year of the seaman's strike in 1966 and I've also got about 15 MGPs under my belt as well. I started covering motor sport for my local paper in 1997 and have been an accredited photographer/scribbler ever since.

How keen am I? In 1976 my French and Economics O levels were in TT week. I managed to get the exams arranged for the Tuesday, got the boat to Liverpool Monday morning, train home to Cheltenham, sat the exams, evening train back to Liverpool and took the 1am wednesday sailing and was back in the digs for breakfast

I rode my trusty Morini 3 1/2 Sport to the TT between 1979 & 1998 until another bike did a Volvo manouvre in front of me and ended my riding days, so these days I'm reduced to a c*r. Mind you, be a bit tricky carrying half a ton of camera gear and a set of Callaways on the bike now :wink:

That is a very impressive post sticky.I admire your ethusiasm.1964 your first,I layed in Ramsey cottage hospital making a nuisance of myself after I had recovered concousness so missed the racing But the nurses made up for it especially Rosemary.

You're not going to just leave us hanging like that, are you, Mr Lawn... full story, PLEASE!

For those who dont already know my history.
I took an interest in motorcycle racing in 1957.
Blame largely one Robert McGregor McIntyre!
I attended my first race meeting at the age of 15 in 1958
at Thruxton (close to where we now live!)
I became a season ticket holder at Brands hatch through
most of the 60s and into the 70s.
During that time, I saw s many legends.
From Mike Hailwood and Bill Ivy to Dick Wyler the "Man from Interpol"
If i sat and wrote a list of names, I would be here all night!
I had a period when I was especially mad for sidecar racing.
My hero in his day was Chris Vincent but there were many more,
including Vinnecome, the Boddices and the Hanks
A friend and I wen to the Bob Mac memorial meeting (1962?at Oulton Park. A pligrimage. We went on an old AJS and broke
down on the way back.

I finally go over for my first TT in 1967.
What a first year to pick!
Amongst other memories are arriving during early morning
practice for those who never experienced it, they were special)
As we approached Douglas on one of the old steamers, King Orry
prpbably, we could hear Hailwoods Honda and other mulit cyclinder
bike, way out at sea!

I have a treasure trove of TT memories that money cant buy!
(although I have paid a fortune to the Steam Packet as what they
call one of their "occasional visitors)
Memories such as 4:30am on Doglas promenade on my BSA
Hold Flash, next to Agostini and Arturio Magni on MVs waitng
for the lights to change!
Yes, us oldies can bore for England!

I had a dabble at short circuit briefly in 1981. I took in Snetterton
Little Rissington and Cadwell on my Suzuki X7.
In fact Cadwell Park was my downfall, literally!
While chasing a lady rider, I lost control at the Gooseneck
with the classic sky , grass, sky, grass, grass grass.
A fractured neck of femur and complicated wrist fracture brought
this brief racing career to a close!
I dont regret it though.
Knowing what its like on the other side of the fence has "enhanced
my viewing experience!" no end.
So, thats me.
Just an old has been who never really was!
But I have truly "walked with Kings"

I especially treasure a t-shirt that I designed myself to help
raise funds for the TT Suporters Club. It bore the legend
"Mike the Bike Rides on Water" which he did.
My proudest moment was getting face to face verbal
approval of the t-shirt.
Boy did Mike smile!

I enjoyed organising two TT riders gatherings in London.
One at Ally Pally during the bike show and one in the canteen at Airfix
where I worked at the time.
One show had as guest of honour, Peter Williams.
The presentation to him was by Tom Herron, his brother in law.
The other show featured Ray Pickrell.
Both were MCd by the late great Allan Robinson.

These days I am retired and living quietly in Andover in Hampshire
with my belly dance teaching lady, Pamela.
We still have bikes but ride little these days.
We enjoy MotoGp (on tv) and vsiting the Isle of Man.
After many years, I finally got to visit Northern Ireland
courtesy of our Cargo who did us proud and showed us several
road circuits in his car then we wathched at Cookstown.
Wondeful!
I have many friends old and new that visit this site and am
meeting more on a steady basis.

So, thats me!
Boring old fart!!!