Typing this as it happens:
There is a Press Conference at the Bike Show about the TT

Here goes.. excuse any typos!
Two strokes are back! At Billown.
There will also be a 2nd Supersport event

Bet you didn't think I could type that quick!! Lol... many thanks to the Dept of Tourism and Leisure for the Press release.

Ian Lougher has said he thinks the new arrangements are good. There will be a Press Conference about 2 o'clock (postponed) so I will listen again and add anything of interest.

Paul Phillips : New arrangement reached, based on feedback and consultation. Very keen to re-introduce two strokes, but riders were not keen to enter on Mountain Course. Contingency plans in place for weather problems. Hope all will give this a chance. Exciting new aspect... motorsport is a always changing and growing.

Personally I think it is a good programme. I'm especially pleased to see an extra solo race added to the TT (Mountain Course) albeit a repeat of Monday's Junior. Let's hope that either Junior A or B are as good as 07 and justify their inclusion. Sadly I'll be back home by the Saturday and will miss the mini-TT, but what happens if there is a Friday Senior race postponement? Looking in to my crystal ball, I predict a Dunlop name will grace the top step of the podium at Billown! alf

I think I like it too
There has always been a problem with the end of TT fortnight in that people start going home and the Friday Senior race day has suffered.

The new events at Billown will help keep people on the Island until the Saturday/Sunday.

However and perhaps I just being a grumpy old man but the whole "commercial potential" nonsense just leave me cold.

I'm sure such commercial stuff has taken place throught the TTs history but now it's just too in your face and blatant.
Thankfully the IOM is big enough that getting away from all that commercial exploition is easy.............I've no dates for going yet but I'll
be going........what else do you do first week in June. But I'll watching from somewhere where the only commercial activity will be a disscussion on the price of midge repellent.

Will there still be a national race a Billown for 400s ?

The two stroke riders don't want to ride on the Mountain Course ?
Incredible !!! Who are they?

Most of them, I'm afraid. the toll on the bikes is too high. They are, however, mostly, enthusiastic about Billown. I'm sure one or two won't be keen, but that's up to them.

Thanks helen, will spread the word over on BSB forum 8)

Will practicing be held on both courses during practice week ??

Did I read it correctly that the 2 stroke TT will be run under a National Licence at Billown.Will the meeting be upgraded or will the ACU allow International and National races to be run at the same meeting,I thought taht wasn't allowed.

From what i remember TT 2007 was run under a National Course Licence issued by none other than the ACU....AS Cargo stated in above post what of the 400.s now at the Steampacket meeting ive supported this class since 1996 at Billown with some good finishes... and yes ill be putting in an entry for the Junior TT Races.... roll on 2008...... :shock:

thewitch Wrote:Most of them, I'm afraid. the toll on the bikes is too high. They are, however, mostly, enthusiastic about Billown. I'm sure one or two won't be keen, but that's up to them.

Strange that when you consider the likes of the late Gavin Lee managed to get a two stroke to finish two races at the TT in one week. ('99 Lightweight 3rd, Senior 15th). Averaging over 115mph in both races, is'nt the senior a 6 lap race :?:

scruffy Wrote:

thewitch Wrote:Most of them, I'm afraid. the toll on the bikes is too high. They are, however, mostly, enthusiastic about Billown. I'm sure one or two won't be keen, but that's up to them.

Strange that when you consider the likes of the late Gavin Lee managed to get a two stroke to finish two races at the TT in one week. ('99 Lightweight 3rd, Senior 15th). Averaging over 115mph in both races, is'nt the senior a 6 lap race :?:

Don't forget that guy riding in the Manx getting on the podium with a 16 year old 250.....................that should be in a museum :wink:

I wonder will he win the Manx next year and end up stuck down at Billown it won't seem right without him at the Manx :wink:

ABSOLUTELY, Cargo!! Maybe these 'antiques', when carefully maintained, accurately set up and well-ridden can still do the business!

I wish that people (on other sites) wouldn't talk about all of these old 250's being brought out of mothballs though, as if they had looked around they might have seen quite a few 2007 versions this year. :roll:

You will see Kawasaki have launched a ZX250 Ninja..........What about them then ???

When we ran TZs, we changed the pistons & block once between practice & race during the TT, and still managed 105MPH a lap on a 350.

That was the only time we changed them.

Oh, and the ports were slightly *modified*, so yes, we did have chrome peeling off the barrels, but we still managed a complete season on two blocks.

These two strokes are tougher than they would have you think, as long as you can keep up with welding the cracks in the frame back together :?

Here,s one id like an answer to.... although the above races are not be held on the mountain circuit will it disbar a rider from the MGP 125/250 races.... As such they are held on different circuits can anyone answer that question cheers Irish Ago..... :shock: