Helen you want a constructive answer, well give this ago.
Invite or allow more riders the chance to race at the TT, those that dont make the speed for the main races let them have their own race. That way we will see more riders coming through the ranks at the TT.
What has happened with newcommers to the TT this year only three yet loads of money has been spent of reps going over the most of the UK meetings to recruit them (have heard quite a few got turned down).
The TT is not a BSB meeting and never will be, the TT is a tradition of men and machines competing against each other, maybe the bikes are now getting to fast and can only be raced on at the TT by a select few, thats fine, but the TT is over 37 miles long and spectators want to see more than just a few machines.
I also feel that the situation regarding practice should be looked at more closely, more time is needed is it time to bring back the morning practice or start practice an hour early.
We also have to take a look at the profiteering that is getting worse at the event, why are landowners charging fans just to cross their fields. In the Likes of Daytona prices charged by pubs,cafes resturants and other outlets is strictly enforced to ensure that prices aint jacked up any more than inflation, the paying public have to be protected from such people.
Maybe you Helen can get the answer of why riders at the TT this year have to sign a contract that prevents them from speaking out. (what was the first thing big H done after quitting).
I love the TT but maybe not as much as I used to, I dont think its the same any more and I was very suprised to hear Evon Ward tell me she may never come back to the TT but would come to the MGP, what does that tell you.
As to having a TT on the Billown track I have to agree with the comments made on Radio TT chat show this week, it just weakens the status of winning a TT.
Lets get the rules sorted out for the TT in order to prevent what happened yesterday, if a bike is 600cc that should be it, why do manufactures make parts for race bikes only to find if riders use them they could be kicked out of a race.

Some good points and I hope the organisers will read and reflect.
Re-Yvonne... her reasons are personal, and nothing at all to do with the way the TT is organised.

No more negativity - I'll second that.

Colin, once you lose something from the TT, you won't ever get it back. there's no way morning practices would ever get the go ahead now, so there's little point debating that they are required (I for one actually agree with you on thie point, for a change).

TT's have been held on other circuits before. Ie the Clypse course. I do think it isn't a "proper" TT, such as Joey winning in the pouring rain on the 250, one of my favourite ever TT races, but if that's the only way we can get real racing machinery (apart from sidecars) here, then so be it. If you look at the solos on the mountain circuit, they could be all the same but in different colours. That's not the real racing I was brought up on.

I have personally been on the receiving end of you giving officials loads of stick, yet I don't see you out there helping. The TT needs more people who are proactive, not moaning for the sake of it.

Well said Wantan

Here is an idea that comes from one of the timing guys. How about a one make race. All standard machines ... keys in a bucket ... and off you go ... that would be a true test of the riders.. and also make a heck of a spectacle for those watching .... I think it would be a great idea.... you could replace the second supersport race with the one make one. I think the riders would love it......

On the point of start times and rider numbers , only three riders were lapped in the last race yesterday, this is a special point as most of the riders were complaining that they were coming across more slower riders quicker and having to deal with more and more of them in previous years. I think this is a safety issue that has maybe been dealt with well. Or do any of you think that it is better to have more riders being caught quicker? An interesting point is also that the lap times and sector times are also slower than last years in comparison so is the number of riders being caught down to that or do they not have a real affect on the top riders?

If they don't really have an affect then increase numbers, it is also noticeable that the slower riders were all lapping at nearly 110, last man 109.625 average next man 110.821 in the superstock race for example. SO are the times getting better as the quality of the entries are better ... well obviously ... but if you increase numbers then the quality can not be kept constant or bettered. I don't know if there is a real answer to this, but maybe if safety is paramount then maybe this is the way to go? By the way yesterdays finishers 44 supersport race and 42 in the superstock race.

Hey Clucas you just pinched my script, Great idea and you could bet that every manufacturer would jump at the Idea (except honda). But you would have to get the riders to agree and cover the costs.

Starting practices an hour earlier would never wash now - too many people working 9-5 that don't give two hoots about the TT, so imagine what they're responses would be if they couldn't get home on their normal route, especially with the large new estate in Peel that has moved a fair number of Douglas workers out of town for their homes.

I do like the idea of the one make race though - I presume along the line of the R1 Cup in the UK? Or how about, with riders tied to other manufacturers by contract, bringing in a different brand - let's have the KTM 990 SuperDuke R race around the course

They could increase riders on the track and still reduce the amount of time between the first and last competitor setting off by starting riders in pairs. It's OK during practice and at the MGP, so why not during the races?

Unfortunately, I think bringing in single starts was one of the many irreversable decisions.

I also think a 1 make series race would be brilliant but it would need alot of money thrown at it.

FC Wrote:Hey Clucas you just pinched my script, Great idea and you could bet that every manufacturer would jump at the Idea (except honda). But you would have to get the riders to agree and cover the costs.

Sorry Colin

There is zero chance of a one make series. With so few TTs in a year the manuafacturers would be so alienated that it would cause more harm than good. Plus many riders are contracted to specific manufactuers/teams so there would be fewer entries than there will be in the Senior this year. Many riders would hate it.

Why would you want to replace a supersport race? They are the closest races of the week by far (when all the engines are within the rules). There should be more, not less.

To fill a TT grid with 100 riders and create a gap for the leaders is easy - start the first 30-40 in singles and the rest in pairs.

To add another class to the TT.... Maybe production 125 bikes. They cost less than GBP4,000. There are around 5-6 manufactuers releasing new bikes. Cheap and affordable racing that does not require 120mph laps to enter. Would bring a new bread of riders to the TT. The class is also relavant to the buying public.

I wouldn't go replacing any classes at the TT, just add a three lap event like the one above to Saturday or Friday.

I overheard a boy yesterday saying there is only the superport on Wednesday then the big race left and that is it! Disappointed at seeing a parade of Ducatis instead of a race I guess.

Stands to reason that if you have a field 50% full, there will be less riders lapped. Also stands to reason that once the top 20 go through you spend more time looking at the hedge opposite.

Who says it has to be the current riders for the one make race. Why not invite one of the current series over for a round at the TT?

Can you think of any one make series that has 70+ riders that would get out of bed and decide that they would do the TT? Maybe this is more irony I am missing but it doesn't sound like something that could happen in this world.

How about a race of say 8o bikes, 4 equal manufacturers, points scored by results of finishing stats the manufacturers team with the most points wins and the prize money shared by that team equally

FC Wrote:How about a race of say 8o bikes, 4 equal manufacturers, points scored by results of finishing stats the manufacturers team with the most points wins and the prize money shared by that team equally

That's more like it. See, it's more rewarding to be constructive, no?

I think a key point from yesterday's Superstock was the fact that only 8 of the starters didn't get round. Add that to the lack of lapped riders and you're going a long way to improving safety. And that alone might just be enough to attract the dozen or so extra quality starters that will keep Oatssi from hedge-watching.

Remember the Kiwis and the Maurds Trophy (think thats the name)

No, sorry FC I don't. Please explain. And then I can join in

steve-e Wrote:No, sorry FC I don't. Please explain. And then I can join in

I think Shaun and Bruce were in the team, 12 Thundercat yamahas competed as one team at the TT so many had to finish to win the award they did even after losing a rider at Goarslea

Not quite FC, neither Shaun nor Bruce were in it. Those who did the Maudes did it in 94 and all came home.
The guy you are thinking of is Stu Murdoch, he died at Gorse Lea in 99.

Wantan Wrote:What annoys me about Colin's posts (and sorry - I have no idea who Colin is), is the constant negativity, without a constructive alternative.

What I'm worried about is the new TT fans coming onto sites like this, and the "other" TT forum, and seeing nothing but doom and gloom. Perhaps they'll think "oh, I'll not bother going then"... and miss out on some of the best experiences motorcycle racing has to offer.

Juan

Deja Vu anyone?

Sam Pato Wrote:

Wantan Wrote:What annoys me about Colin's posts (and sorry - I have no idea who Colin is), is the constant negativity, without a constructive alternative.

What I'm worried about is the new TT fans coming onto sites like this, and the "other" TT forum, and seeing nothing but doom and gloom. Perhaps they'll think "oh, I'll not bother going then"... and miss out on some of the best experiences motorcycle racing has to offer.

Juan

Deja Vu anyone?

Yes the racing is first class, and so are the riders that compete here but there is more to the TT than just races for the traveling fans and that is value for money. Other forums are controled by those that also run or have some say in the TT and when ever visiting fans have posted complaints they seem to be deleted.
I truly wish I had the answer or knew of the person that did, but as Mr Moyle pointed out in his statement the event has tried to run on its past glory and the attitude of those that run the event is nothing but a sham.
If we dont make complaints those that run the TT will revert back and say its ok nothing needs fixed, lets just leave it as it is.
Examples the entertainment thats put on at a great loss THE FUN FAIR, do you really think bike fans are interested it that, Bushies as Cargo said in another post a Big Bore, Staus Quo how many visiting fans got tickets for the show.
If your a biker you would know what you want in that area of a Holiday.

The Beach race is entertaining but why cant it be upgraded to a national event or super cross or something similar. Many fans now stay out of towns on the campsites how about free late night buses to and from these places (saves drink driving). Or even put entertainment on at the campsite and invite other visitors to the event (it worked with the Germans at Peel). Get the manufactures more involved At Daytona they are all there and they provide escorted demo rides on nealy every model in production (a bike show not a jumble sale). How about a beer festival on the prom one night, many things could be looked at to make changes, being negative brings out positives in others and it the positives that have to be picked up on.
Im Manx and have to say that the Island is so laid back and the attitude is if no one moans then alls well, and thats what happened to the rest of the tourism the Island had in the past it never moved on and was lost.