I attended my first TT in 1957 as an eight-year-old. We had a coach tour of the circuit and I am sure I remember a broad painted line across the circuit in a few places. Their position and purpose were unknown, to the extent that I may have misremembered. However, while viewing a film of the 1950 Senior I noticed what appeared to be one of these lines at - I think - the Keppel Gate complex. Can anyone help?

Paging Splashdown paging Splashdown ... if anyone might know it'll be Nick ...

I had a look at a 1950 TT film (Shell trade film I think...) and other than the usual centre lines, the only other thing I can think it might have been were the indicator arrows painted on the road at Governor's Bridge to show the direction of the corner.  I can only assume that the odd confused rider may have just left the dip out!

Thanks, Sticky. If it was the same film you will find what I think is one of the lines at around 23:15. I am aware of the old Governor's Bridge arrow etc but these lines were very different. The lack of response is not doing my sanity any good - this is a 68-year-old memory we're talking about!!

I'll look again and see if I can spot anything. I did notice more than a few lines of cement dust around the track. Also, the huge number of people everywhere! I've got a 65 year old memory, so I'm not far behind you! welcome to the forum by the way.

Had another look. There was a band of something goibg across the track in the area of the 33rd but the camera wasn't on it long enough to be sure of what it was - could have been a road repair?

Thanks again, Sticky, for taking another look. I'm not sure that road repairs would have been left so visible and the line fits what I remember seeing in 4 or 5 places in '57. I wish I could remember where they were but I don't recall seeing them at my second visit in '59 as we had a car that year we would have done a lap or two. If this is correct then they existed for at least eight years. I feel my recollection is correct as this fits the bill but their purpose remains elusive and mysterious. Cheers and thanks for helping.

Well, you reckoned that I would know.....but I don't. My first TT was 1953, but I didn't have any concern for the course until around 1959. These white lines are not sticking out in my memory bank. Sorry.

Well, when the combined minds of Alfie, Sticky and Splashdown - thanks guys - don't know, one is tempted to think it was all a dream. However I don't think it was so I continue in the hope that someone will know the answer to my question. To paraphrase Ronnie Scott you would make "an old man feel very happy".

You could try asking on the Manx Nostalgia FB page, it's a well informed hive of all historic Manx skeet including TT / MGP ... Roy Moore and John McBride are regular contributors.......would like to give respect/credit to Roy - I met him recently up at the cemetery on Glencrutchery Rd, he was tending and looking after the Riders Memorial Wall in the bottom corner of the cemetery, i'd never met him before but he knew most of my late family members and where they knocked about in their younger days.

(Yesterday, 12:25 PM)Alfie Noakes Wrote: You could try asking on the Manx Nostalgia FB page, it's a well informed hive of all historic Manx skeet including TT / MGP ... Roy Moore and John McBride are regular contributors.......would like to give respect/credit to Roy - I met him recently up at the cemetery on Glencrutchery Rd, he was tending and looking after the Riders Memorial Wall in the bottom corner of the cemetery, i'd never met him before but he knew most of my late family members and where they knocked about in their younger days.

Thanks again, Alfie. I will try this. I don't think they make 'em like Roy anymore