OK, so TT 2008 has been and gone.

What are your throughts on this years event, what would you do to make improvements, what were your experiences while there ?

Please ensure that your comments are sensible and acceptable, otherwise they will be deleted.

Malcolm.

Being an 'ol bu**er', for me the total lack of and recognition of TT history at TT2008 was disappointing. No Parade Lap meant a lot of the 'old timers' not making the trip over. Attendance at the 38th Milestone, headquarters of the TT/Manx Riders Association was very sparse all fortnight.
We certainly need the young guns but the TT heritage should not be overlooked. It makes the creation of a TT museum seem even more remote.
The sheer greed of certain hostelries - one in particular - as noted in our pages was sad - I hope TT fans don't get the impression that we are all involved in 'rip off Island'
I hope the Chief Constable/Marshal keeps to his promise to review the restricted areas.
Roll on the Manx - a more complete race meeting, this is more like a two-wheel biking festival - but bring your thermals!
Any chance of a Early Morning Practice Bus for the Manx?
The Clerk of the Weather got it about spot on, glad you lot didn't take it away with you!

I would have to agree with Bill on all his points in full, Yes the TT this year had it ups and downs the racing was safe and first class even though the number of starters in my opinion was poor. The TT has to freshen up with the entertainment side of the event, it needs a total revamp, having the classic bikes on the old Peel track was a big hit last year and should be continued. Bushies has now become a watering hole for the local pissheads and that needs sorting out.
Overcharging, this is a serious problem and if those in power dont address in soon it wont be the racing that kills of the TT. I would suggest that all outlets at the TT should be vetted, their previous prices prior to TT should be compared and at the TT regulated and those that dont comply have the areas restricted in some way.
Another thing that I would like to see and which I have mentioned every year is that the powers to be try and create some premium time for the riders that bring their families over to the TT, ie put a bus on and escort the children on a day out say at the wild life park with a bit of entertainment and maybe a family show put on at the Paddock for all to join in.
All in all the TT has been good this year, the weather first class and every competitor going home. May I also pay my respects to the families of the fans that lost their lives at the TT this year.

I too am an "old b****r like you Bill and I have hung on to the dream of past days and was sorry to note that the last century of TT Racing has now been put to bed as it were.

However as a revitalised b****r I took an interest in chatting to the "new" generation of riders and supporters who now come to the event.

They were so enthusiastic about the event they were attending, I think young Mr Phillips can now rest assured that "they'll be back" for as long as they can afford to come.

The TT Races this year were exciting and fans could meet the riders in walkabouts which were comments made by most.

I took the opportunity of walking the length of the Bushys Beer Tent area talking to as many people as possible and taking a few pics of a large cross-section of fans. No one there talked of rip off because they were not like us Bill, they don't compare now with our day. Ice Cream £2.50 now, 6 old pence in my day !!

Ferry prices were discussed and I think that was the biggest beef by most. These fans found places to eat, maybe it was junk food, but after a few beers they didn't care. They can't remember the hotels cos they camp, but two of my pals stayed at the "Hydro" and praised the hotel for the attention and service they were given..

However one hotel on Douglas sea front was charging £209 per night- find your own breakfast yet they could do an evening 3-course meal for £20 !!!!

It was a shame the Ducati lap was so few in total, they went past us and then nothing until the race started. I do not know what insurances would say but it would have been nice for anyone with a Ducati on the Island to follow the "names" who in turn are kept to viewing speed with the car and outriders.

No, Bill,I too am worried about the TT as was, but seeing this new influx of Fans and Fans-to-be I think we should be happy that this Annual Event will continue for some time yet. We oldies can still talk about what we thought were magic days but to me 2008 was just as magic but with a new batch of rabbits !

The great majority of temporary come-overs certainly enjoyed it.

Finally an observation.....The TT did not get underway properly until the Thursday of practice week and drained after Mondays race....I feel more people are only coming for the long weekend rather than the full two weeks. A bit like the olden days Bill ???

At 68 I have great memories of every TT since my first visit in 1847 (oops 1947) yet in February each year I begin counting down to the time when I stand on Ellan Vannin yet again to see the TT and all of its allied events.

I hope to be there next year and for a few years yet. But please restore some of my favourite viewing areas, the application of "Eingang Verboten" was a bit over-the-top. We saw more of the TT on tele.

I was invited to chat on 3FM about my interest and love of the TT and
I appealed to fathers with sons of age 7 to get them involved as my father did for me. The youngsters of today will be the fans of tomorrow....

Although there were several personal factors that enhanced my TT i.e. new bike that I could ride comfortably I thought this TT was brilliant. My list of positives;

Racing - superb. Ran to programme leaving time to do all the other things.

Quality of entry - as good as could be expected. Some younger riders emerging.

Prohibited areas - not the nightmare I'd envisaged. In most cases I couldn't argue the case against. Seemed logical on the whole but I would welcome a review.

Glorious weather - 3 years on the trot, can't be bad.

TT History/Classics/Parades - The balance has to be right here but it strikes me that the pre-TT classic should be the centrepiece for the celebration of the history of the TT. It seems dis-jointed to have classic racing around the first weekend and a parade nearly 2 weeks later.

Costs - Prices were higher but I didn't witness or experience any "rip offs" afterall the IOM is not immune to inflationary pressures.

Policing - Can't comment because thankfully I wasn't "policed" although I know some people feel that the Police presence was a little heavy handed. But, judging by a minority's riding standards I can't sympathise with that view.

IOMSPC - Perhaps the biggest suprise. I detect an air of confidence and improvement with the company. My experience was positive and standards of customer service, from the booking process through to sailing, were certainly better than previous years.

Social - Fantastic, great people and as usual made to feel welcome.

To round off a few of negatives I'm afraid;

Douglas - In dire need of a facelift.

Road surafces/conditions - Especially off the course some very poor road surfaces, like riding on a washboard. Kirkmichael to Peel is like a motocross track in places. There are worse I know but the deterioration of this stretch of road sticks in my mind.

Keep Left/Links Fahren - I noticed fewer of these signs around. Should be at each junction/intersection. How about a sticker for the handlebars?

My view is from myself as a person who wasn't actually at the TT but has been a fair few times both as a spectator, rider and mechanic.
The deal with ITV4 was superb, at last for those of us who cannot make it we can see some action, can find out what is going on and their coverage and enthusiasm was superb and will hopefully continue that way. I also believe that the majority of generally non pro TT public who would have watched any of that coverage would have no doubt seen the REAL side of the TT, the excitemnet and spectacle that has helped it survive for 101 years.

In particular the documentary about 2007 and the years gone by was also good, it has made me realise why I first started coming to the TT and has made me decide that maybe next year I'll go for race week, maybe with my 10 year old lad, on a road bike, in a tent, as Mr anonymous, with no connection to any team etc and just savour the whole atmosphere and not get involved in all the politics etc.

Whilst the overall standard of racing and the standard of competitors was as good as I've seen for many a year I must admit that once I'd seen the first superbike race I'd pretty much seen them all and the lack of variety, whilst good for the riders, is a little bit boring.

The prohibited areas were very evident even on TV but of course this is NOT the fault of the TT or its organisers but a sad reflection on the way the world is heading in general.

Personally as a 2 stroke pervert I would love to see the 250/125 race re-introduced to the TT course, do we really need 2 600 races? Afterall ALL the races looked the same to me.
If only to add a bit of variety to the proceedings. I do not think the Billown races are real TT's but this has already been debated, but at least giving them TT status did encourage a pretty good grid of riders and produced from what I heard on the radio a fairly good nights entertainment.

As for over charging, especially the 'hostelry' that has been mentioned on here earlier, let them do it, there ARE plenty of places to eat, to go for a pee and to watch from, those who wanna waste or can afford £200 to watch from a particular vantage point can do so, those who don't or cannot afford to can spend their money at the places that don't rip them off. At the end of the day if the businesses that charge too much can make more money year in year out by doing so, then they as businesses have the right to do so, if people speak with their pockets and do not visit these businesses then they will have no choice but to re-assess their business strategy.

Finally thanks to everyone on the board for some 'interesting' and lively, if some what bitchy at times, postings and long live the TT. Only 10 weeks till the best meeting in the world now
Russ Henley

The Bag Wrote:I'll go for race week, maybe with my 10 year old lad, on a road bike, in a tent, as Mr anonymous, with no connection to any team etc and just savour the whole atmosphere and not get involved in all the politics etc.

How many knew that Bob Hoskins was doing that very thing! (allegedly!)

TT 2008? Good coverage on ITV4, shame I could only listen for free to the Saturday race on radio/internet, but I have read/heard/seen nothing that makes me want to attend next year - or ever unless there are significant changes. The tv commentators did not even try to explain the difference between the classes, and from the screen, there was none. I did think that the riders looked to be trying harder and cornering faster than in my day, but maybe that is all fat slick tyres!
Quick edit: forgot to say that the sidecars looked and sounded far more interesting: this despite my hatred of them when I raced solos, as in those days most leaked oil all over the place and left rubber where it wasn't oil!
Perhaps they seemed the best because they were the only racing machines in the event?

ian huntly Wrote:I appealed to fathers with sons of age 7 to get them involved as my father did for me. The youngsters of today will be the fans of tomorrow....

Quite right!

I have to confess that my job as a teacher (when racing's not on!) does have a few advantages.

Being able to act in loco parentis means I'm able to teach all the kids I come across about the TT and the Manx and I try to enthuse them to take an interest in the events, which are, after all, as much a part of their heritage as the Laxey Wheel and Castle Rushen...

I'm not expecting them all to become riders or spannermen (/women), but to treasure the TT and try to help it continue for their children and beyond. As to a future Joey or John McG being in my class - who knows?......

My tuppence for what its worth , have to say i thought the atmosphere around this years TT was non existent , no buzz no spark , something was missing for me , the entertainment on the promenade is stale . the Department of Tourism & Leisure are totally lacking in imagination , it is the same thing every year , time some new ideas where brought to the surface , sad when Status Quo are your main attraction .

Still disgusted about the charges made to park your vehicle & spectate at the grandstand during practice , hope that is changed for next year .

The racing was excellent , although bigger grids are needed , there where not many machines on the track at all , the quality of rider is excellent , but think we need more of them .

Sidecars where brill , really on the up & long may it continue .

Hope they assess the resricted areas , missed Ballacry & Ballaspur this year .

Dont think the TT races held at Billown yesterday should be classed as TT races proper , not a good idea , dont think it has registered with most people that they will now be classed as TT winners .

Not brillaint over all for me , but racing was good & all the competitors are going home safe & sound which is a major plus .

I thought the coverage on ITV 4 was excellent, and also the Top 100 TT Moments, with Hizzy (Norton) v Foggy (Yamaha) in top spot.

Even though i never went to this years TT, i feel saddened that there was no "Parade Lap", but lts face it, this historic event had become a sideshow, and very low key since the late Allan Robinson MBE Secretary of the TTRA gave up his secretarial duties, who was really the man behind the "TT Lap of Honour" or the "Classic Lap" which it later turned into, when wave after wave of Manx Nortons, G50's, 7R's and the like, left the starting line in a deafening roar and the smell of Castrol R.

W2Jings! Just wish I could have been there.
My 2008 TT was longingly, carefully, meticulously planned.

But.......ALAS!

Previous attendance of my person was required at HM Sherrif Court in relation to a misunderstanding over my motorised road use, and the subsequent consequences prevented my voyage to the earthly Valhalla that is the Isle of Man TT........
It was that, or face a grey B&B for some time.

Year after previous year for decades I have returned, and always I wonder: "will it be the same?"

Of course, it never quite IS the same ( as last time).

Decades pass, bikes change, roads change, people change, grow older, die, get born....razzamatazz comes & multiplies........

But the TT will always, always, always be the TT.

Never mind the B******S as the Sex Pistols said............

The B******t falls away when that flag drops.

I wish I had been there, for the TT 2008.

Changes notwithstanding, it's still the greatest race on Earth.

Many many thanks to all who post reports here, I am avidly reading & re-reading them, just to get a bit closer to the action I missed.......

I may end up having a bit of a rant here, so forgive me if I go off on one a bit I'm 48 years old and in that time I've done 43 TTs, 15 MGPs and a Manx Rally. You could say that I'm fairly keen and committed...

There are things that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency IMO. The visitor demographic now seems to be almost totally comprised of those who arrive on the last day of practice, watch one race, ride like maniacs on the course and if they're still breathing, go home on the Monday of race week. The tourist board need to attract those wishing to stay for longer (ideally for the whole thing) because as things stand at the moment, hoteliers, pubs, restaurants etc are trying to make in 3 days what they used to make in 2 weeks and the only way to do that is to jack the price up. Having visitors come for longer could also provide more marshalls, which if attracted in great enough numbers could allow us to have afternoon and morning practice again. As a matter of simple economics, people staying for longer will spend more and apend it more widely, benefitting more businesses. I don't necessarily have an answer to this - that's Mr Earnshaw's job.

Atmosphere? Bit rarified in my opinion. I can't believe the statistics given about visitors - I'd prefer to believe the evidence of my eyes...

No complaints about the standard of the entry but I'm very concerned about the size of it. Just over 50 starters for the S/bike and Senior? PP has been on various forums saying we can't have 250s because there wouldn't be enough on the grid - does this mean we won't have the Senior next year for the same reason? But more of that later...

Make the 1907 re-enactment a permanent fixture and run in it on the Tuesday of practice week, then offer a package deal to cover that and the Pre-TT Classic. Maybe get the place going a bit early on?

The restrictions: Sure the prohibited areas hadn't changed much but the RESTRICTED areas! From a photographers point of view it's quite obvious that this has little to do with safety - does a Gold media pass protect you from a flying bike? The creation of a two-tiered media accreditation system absolutely stinks. That needs to stop. Period...

We need more classes - how do we get them? Take a look at Thundersport GB's class format. Their GP2 class allows for 250 2 strokes, 600cc prototype 4 stroke twins (someone's building a 550 Aprilia for that) and 690cc singles, although for the TT I'd expand that to unlimited capacity saingles. That could be the Lightweight TT, which I would run in place of the 2nd Supersport race.

Sound of Thunder race for twins and triples - it's already a recognised class and there are loads of manufacturers making suitable bikes. Run that instead of the Superstock.

All these could practice at the same time as the other classes or if that can't be done then revert practice to the way it was before. Practice week needs to be made more interesting, so that more people will come. Bums on seats etc...

Finally, there's room for another race on Senior day. I'm keen on the new Moto450 class, although it obviously needs to get established and some creativity applied to practice slots. The format is a brilliant idea and off the top of my head there are 14 manufacturers who could be approached for involvement. Run it as a 3 lapper then have a decent parade before the Senior, featuring riders and machines with a TT history. Set them off at 10 second intervals so that we can properly appreciate the sight and sounds.

*climbs off soapbox...*

Good points those Sticky. I am off the the British GP next week so interested to see how that Thundersport GB class will work. McWilliams has just entered it.

Hi all, let me introduce myself, I came 3 times to the TTs in the early 80s, then returned 2008 with 3 workmates.

My first impression was the amazing attitude of the Steam Packet Co. They allowed me to book, but would not tell me the cost of the ticket - just £20 each deposit. How do they get away with that in this day and age.

I was unable to come 2007 as there were no crossings available - despite trying to book from June onwards. I still cannot understand how this could be - were there no more ferrys available to hire in the world?

The entertainment at Douglas Prom with the fair, was OK for a bit but was monotonous. The big loss was the display of bikes right along the prom.

The racing classes were very similar. Even the 1000s and 600s seemed the same. I still do not know the differences between the different 1000 classes. Back in 83 there were 2 classes in the sidecars - and I could tell the difference. You really need more variety, eg track classes, 2 strokes, 250s etc.

The Ducati parade was a disappointment, more historical 'glory days' bikes were needed. Otherwise return to the old type parade, travelling at proper speeds making proper noises.

Not all was bad though, I thought the all-week mad-sunday section was a fantastic change, it took the pressure off everyone doing as many laps as they could in limited time. Personally I found the policing just as I remembered it - as strict as it could be and still people managed to kill themselves. How can people still complain it was too strict?

Generally, the event needs to attract more 'Born Agains' as well as youngsters - and proper ferry availability is essential.

Anyway my main priority now is to work on the Lunkette so I can come again in 2009...

alf885 Wrote:Although there were several personal factors that enhanced my TT i.e. new bike that I could ride comfortably I thought this TT was brilliant. My list of positives;

Racing - superb. Ran to programme leaving time to do all the other things.

Quality of entry - as good as could be expected. Some younger riders emerging.

Prohibited areas - not the nightmare I'd envisaged. In most cases I couldn't argue the case against. Seemed logical on the whole but I would welcome a review.

Glorious weather - 3 years on the trot, can't be bad.

TT History/Classics/Parades - The balance has to be right here but it strikes me that the pre-TT classic should be the centrepiece for the celebration of the history of the TT. It seems dis-jointed to have classic racing around the first weekend and a parade nearly 2 weeks later.

Costs - Prices were higher but I didn't witness or experience any "rip offs" afterall the IOM is not immune to inflationary pressures.

Policing - Can't comment because thankfully I wasn't "policed" although I know some people feel that the Police presence was a little heavy handed. But, judging by a minority's riding standards I can't sympathise with that view.

IOMSPC - Perhaps the biggest suprise. I detect an air of confidence and improvement with the company. My experience was positive and standards of customer service, from the booking process through to sailing, were certainly better than previous years.

Social - Fantastic, great people and as usual made to feel welcome.

To round off a few of negatives I'm afraid;

Douglas - In dire need of a facelift.

Road surafces/conditions - Especially off the course some very poor road surfaces, like riding on a washboard. Kirkmichael to Peel is like a motocross track in places. There are worse I know but the deterioration of this stretch of road sticks in my mind.

Keep Left/Links Fahren - I noticed fewer of these signs around. Should be at each junction/intersection. How about a sticker for the handlebars?

I am inclined to agree with this and stress that the parade lap and historic element generally needs to be re-established to look after us older members

what about getting the old race bikes back to castletown on Mad Sunday morning?

that said it was good to see some younger riders coming through

high spot of the week for me was discovering the collection of old machines in Kirkmichael!

I thought the road surfaces were generally OK as part of the funof the week is riding with a 'spirited' approach on real roads ( it certainly suits a TDM900 - perhaps more so than a sports bike!!)

all the best and thanks to all for a relatively sensible website

pete

I agree with everyone,i have only just started attending The TT since 2002 and while i enjoy the racing i feel more needs to be done to attract more entries,don't get me wrong the quality of the field this year was first class just some quantity missing,The atmosphere on the prom was'nt the same either that seriously needs to be looked at.Delighted to see Cameron Donald win his 1st TTS hopefully the start of manyWe also need more of a variety of races Bring back The 125,250 and 400 and no not at billown,Im off to the MGP for race week where u at least see a good variety of races oh and nearly forgot Sidecars brilliant racing LONG LIVE THEM Anyway thats my opinion for what its worth RANT OVER

I really do believe that the historic side of things should be kept to the Southern pre tt classic and all the other meets that go on all over the island during the two week period. Get rid of these one off parades, the Ducati parade, or lack of it, was such a disappointment, and I am sorry to say it but Sammy accident, and those that happened during the previous years parade laps just goes to show that some people shouldn't be out there. Some are just putting themselves and those that watch in danger and gives the 'kill the TT' lot another prime reason to shout. I fully agree that there should always be a history to the TT, it has so much you can not miss it, but I think its time that it is restricted to a museum and the social events that include the historic bikes.