Listening to the Superstock race on steam radio, I'm once again hearing the old chestnut about "cover your camera flash to avoid distracting the riders".

I've got my own opinions about this, but would appreciate comment, from current and past riders only please, as to the need for this.

I never found it to be a problem at all, always too busy concentrating on the road not the surrounding countryside !
Phil past rider

Never was a problem for me either Larry although I was only the passenger.

I have been to various riders forums and non of the riders said it was a problem. In fact the late Tommy 'Spook' Clucas once joked that he was glad someone took his picture.

From a marshals standpoint we really don't chase people anymore and we are not asked to, however it does come down to common sense. If it is really dark at say Glen Helen and the flash is right in someones face then the person may be asked not to use it, but generally the riders don't even see it.

Regards

Fitz - Ex-passenger and DSM Ballacraine

Only bothers me if it's smack in your face like at the Gooseneck...

otherwise no prob.

It never bothered me either, people never took photos of me although I would imagine it could distract if it happened to be at the right(or wrong) angle.
Russ Henley ex rider

Don't bother me either

And before all you comedians say it I will

Nobody ever takes my picture so how the heck would I know

Surely best to have them off rather than on and to regularly advise the public?

On another note, last Friday there was a photographer (who appeared to have accreditation) in the field to the right of the residence on the exit at Hillberry. He wasn't in (what we deemed) a particularly dangerous position but there is a chance he shouldn't have been there.

During the middle of the Superbike/600 practice a senior marshal took it upon herself to walk up the road with another marshal under a stationary yellow flag. She then stood in front of the bales and foam barrier right on the exit of the apex for about 5 minutes advising this guy to move on. Anyone who has spectated at Hillberry will know just how fast this corner is. Not only did she put herself in danger beyond belief but this must have been a hell of a distraction for the passing riders. I was mad.

NEVER have i seen a flash from a camera, the Late Richard Britton, told me on variuos occassions, that he never seen one, it never botherd him, prob cos he was going so fast!, now i was out taking pics the other night, there was a strong sun, and the marshalls in the area were whistling and whistling at the people on the other side of the rd, about the flashes!, now picture this for yourself, iyt was at Ballaugh bridge, the people were on the inside of the track, under/behind the trees, NOW can anyone tell me, HOW was this going to affect a rider?????, no jokes, think about it, NEVER could have a rider see a flash in the strong sun. to me it is beyond a joke, let some rider tell us, when a flash has affected him/her

cargo Wrote:Don't bother me either

And before all you comedians say it I will

Nobody ever takes my picture so how the heck would I know

I think I might have some of you.....

Larry should we post them?

B

boakesey Wrote:

cargo Wrote:Don't bother me either

And before all you comedians say it I will

Nobody ever takes my picture so how the heck would I know

I think I might have some of you.....

Larry should we post them?

B

Don't think they'd be as entertaining as mine, Liz, but I suppose we don't want the lad to feel left out . . . . .

I was lucky enough to compete in 2 TTs as a passenger and was more concerned about getting my head out of the draft than looking out for people using flash photography... but I did have the best trainer in the game for the IOM, Mr Nick Roche.


Regards

SS,,,,,,,,

Another point is, why use the flash at all?
The built in flash on most cameras will only reach from 4.5 to 6 metres at most (15 to 20 ft).
Why not save your battery and the angst, just turn it off.

don stop bringing common (or not so common)sense into it,,,,

Is it not better to say no flashes, than to allow them and someone to bring along a hulking big one, or for that one obscure instance where a flash does cause a problem?

Never bothered me as a rider. Used to annoy me up as a spectator nothing worse than having someone keep taking pictures right next to you. At that range it did dazzle.

Although it never bothered me and from the general repiles in this post it doesn't seem to have bothered any other riders I do agree with samwise that it would be better to leave them off than wait until it has distracted a rider, be too late then?
Russ

cargo Wrote:Don't bother me either

And before all you comedians say it I will

Nobody ever takes my picture so how the heck would I know

Never bothered me unless its straight in your face, then you see stars for a while. Maybe its more a problem in dark areas of the course.

Cargo I thought you always seen a few flashes ... as they got off more than one shot lol

I think The Bag is on the right track here.

Lets just let it be known that camera flashes should be switched off or covered but the marshals do NOT need to make a huge issue of it blowings whistles and shouting etc etc.