Can anyone remember real characters amongst tt fans of the past? Like the old Swedish guy who used to ride a Honda 70 all the way over from Sweden,or the Guy from Dumfrieshire withe the super light triumph tridents who used to stand on the prom each night, please leave your memories,just trying to think of something to brighten up this rubbish weather on practice week.

Alistair Laurie Tridents!
Still the sexiest bikes I've ever seen.

(01-06-2015, 10:02 PM)laverda77 Wrote: Can anyone remember real characters amongst tt fans of the past? Like the old Swedish guy who used to ride a Honda 70 all the way over from Sweden,or the Guy from Dumfrieshire withe the super light triumph tridents who used to stand on the prom each night, please leave your memories,just trying to think of something to brighten up this rubbish weather on practice week.

Yes I met him several times through the years. Harry Lundberger, born 1918, dead 2005. He was known as The Professor even outside Sweden. He used to race in ice racing, dirt track and road racing in his earlier days. He was well known for his photographic memory and his great knowledge about older vehicles. If the ignition coil in an old Volvo was mounted in a wrong place compared to original he saw it at once. His moped is in Murray's Motorcycle Museum in Santon, Isle of Man.
 

The fan you are talking about is the professor Harry Lundberger. He passed away in 2005, I have some photos of Harry which I may post if permitted, Harry was a RR champion in Sweden, I once gave him a cup of tea at Billown pre TT races it was pouring down I invited him into my race transporter to warm up and dry out although under the waxed coat that he always wore he was probably bone dry, I am sure he was a cult figure for the purple helmets, he carried everything in that pizza type box on the back of his step through including tools and a full size brass Dunlop footpump, many took the micky at the way and slow speed he rode, if only they knew. 

Sorry Silja, you just beat me to it

(01-06-2015, 10:41 PM)spannerman Wrote: Sorry Silja, you just beat me to it

:-)

Spot on guys I met Harry at a matchless club meet at rushen abbey I think, and yes it was Alister Laurie I wonder where he is ? and has anyone got the tridents now ?I'm sure I saw 3 or 4 of these bikes in late 70s .

I've heard about the professor bet he was a real intresting fella, he reminds me of a guy local to me that up until 18 months ago rode a Honda 90 at the ripe age of 97. During the war he at first flew Lancaster bombers then later was commissioned to repair and rebuild the Merlin engine until the end of the war. He is a mechanical and electrical genius, he also built a few engines in the mid 50's that raced at the Isle of Man. Sadly he's in a nursing home but in good fettle, and still keeps an eye on the results of the racing.

Who was the lady who lived at the house just after Ballaugh. She would be in her garden for every practice & race. Competitors used to wave to her.

Tuono, you are referring to Gwen Crellin MBE, "The White lady of Ballaugh". I should know a lot more about her as I called for a cuppa on a number of occasions. I think she lived to well past 90, and marshalled faithfully and loyally at EVERY MGP and TT practice and race for over 50 years, wearing a white jacket, and waving to EVERY rider who raced past her. One of many quite remarkable characters who have given, (and are giving) so much to the races that we love.
But Gwen was on the next level, organising fund raising for all the charities that tie into the races, such as the Rob Vine , MGP Helicopter, and Phil Hogg Funds.
Her total unselfishness earned her the MBE, and she never slowed up in her untiring efforts to raise money.
Bless her, she'll have been gone now for maybe 8-10 years, but never forgotten by those racers who acknowledged her wave, with a small gesture back.
Many riders from Ago to Mick Grant called in on Gwen over the years, simply marvelling at her absolute enthusiasm for racing.
There aren't many Gwens around.

What about the guy with the white left hand drive BMW outfit who used to wave at everyone on the mountain late 70s, early 80s.. I think Mick Grant christened him 'Herman the German'

Lovely memories of Gwen giving us all a wave at Ballaugh, the German guy was often found on the exit of Windy Corner waving ever so enthusiastically every lap like it was the last lap.

(02-06-2015, 12:58 AM)Splashdown Wrote: Tuono, you are referring to Gwen Crellin MBE, "The White lady of Ballaugh".....
Bless her, she'll have been gone now for maybe 8-10 years, but never forgotten by those racers who acknowledged her wave, with a small gesture back.....
There aren't many Gwens around.

On the TT Superbikes Playstation 2 game as you pass her house she is mentioned in the "commentary".

Gwen Crellin was born 1917, 10 years after the races in Isle of Man started.
She passed in 2007. Age 90.

there is always the group who camp up on the coast road from Douglas to Ramsey, think they are German.

The bloke who was on TT3d with all the patches and badges on his leathers, seen him a few times.

Mr Murray (of Murray's museum at Santon) is quite a charactor.

the toothy Irishman with the Joey tattoo's on the TT Documentary, I've seen him at the Grandstand

There is an old rocker guy who I've spoken to in Sam Webbs a good few times, he has the birds nest hair and a back jacket with Rock n' roll stuff on the back, Gene Vincent patches

What a lovely tribute Splashdown. I shall give her spirit a wave when I pass

Sorry guys I was wrong! I found some information on internet saying this:

Gwen Crellin was born 1917, 10 years after the races in Isle of Man started.
She passed in 2007. Age 90.

That is Wrong! Gwen Crellin passed in December 2006. Age 89.

Always double check, Always double check, Always double check, Always double check. Always double check what you write on internet!

(02-06-2015, 07:56 AM)rc30alfie Wrote: What about the guy with the white left hand drive BMW outfit who used to wave at everyone on the mountain late 70s, early 80s.. I think Mick Grant christened him 'Herman the German'

He was still about late 80's maybe even early 90's as I waved back a few times.

I wonder if he's still with us?

He was defo there in the early 90's .. there couldn't be 2 people with that much enthusiasm

(03-06-2015, 07:48 AM)SILJA Wrote: Gwen Crellin passed in December 2006. Age 89.

Always double check, Always double check, Always double check, Always double check. Always double check what you write on internet!

That's right. Ballaugh Church was full for the funeral and a lot of people including myself were on 2 wheels despite the fact it was Baltic on the day. The hearse with Gwen's coffin in it was given a motorcycle escort from the funeral home in Ramsey to the Church. A lot of former and present TT riders were in attendance including Mick Grant IIRC.

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-m...-1-1759638