I was today give a copy of an article that appeared in last Saturday's edition of the Daily Mail. This was a 3-page travel feature written by none other than Alan Whicker. I thought it might be of interest to reproduce below the few paragraphs relating to the TT (which, quite bizarrely, is accompanied by a photo of John Surtees aboard the MV in the late 1950s - presumably the most modern TT photo they have!) There was a time when I would have been furious about this typical piece of journalistic tripe which is a mixture of half-truths and downright inaccuracies, but I honestly found this piece so bad as to be hilarious. So here goes :-

"For almost a century, the TT has drawn tens of thousands of fans from around the world. Competitors race round 38 miles of winding mountain roads, through hairpin bends and over humpback bridges. It is notorious for fatal crashes.

The island's splendid new hospital is at its busiest during the race days when the noise, excitement and the ever-present possibility of death keeps hotels and guesthouses busy. In one year five riders and two spectators paid the ultimate price for their enthusiasm.

When the races began along the mountain circuit back in 1911, the winner's avenage lap speed was a terrifying 47mph. Last year it was 127.68mph, but 'only' three riders were killed. When I confessed to the jolly young woman showing us around that my enthusiasm for motorcycles was limited, there was a distinct chill in the air.

Her husband, it seemed, collected those machines and - good grief, her boss, the Minister of Tourism, David Cretney, actually rode in the '98 Manx Grand Prix at an average of 100mph!

So when the TT comes up in conversation - as it surely will - do TRY to look interested."