Yes I do think that the organisers have shot themselves in the foot with the changes for 2005. The 'we must please the manufacturers loby' has probably caused problems for many of the privateers - how many riders are factory supported - who make up the majority of the entry?

The superbike regs for 'F1' & Senior will not allow many of the bikes currently being raced since they don't confirm to BSB regs.

600's - probably wont be affected but I like many others like to watch racing bikes ie 250's as well.

125/400 class - In my opinion this is a bad decision. 400's are the only class where a privateer can prepare & race a competetive bike againt the top riders. As for dropping 125's this is BAD - its the only class (250's & sidecars excepted) where real race bikes not modified road bikes are racing. Why have they dropped this could it be that it promoted grey import 400's and one manufacturer (Honda) where the 125's are concerned?
The production change to superstock regs is probably fair enough (less chance for cheating since it will be an equal playing field) but why only 3 laps?
At least they kept the chairs as is and reversed the stupid decision of 4 lap senior/F1.

I just hope this changes have not put the 1st nail in the TT coffin. I would like to have seen the riders views taken in to account - the TT regulars in the privateer ranks since they make little or nothing from the TT but support it every year as well as the top aces.