Actually Helen my first TT was a disaster and when I woke up in Ramsey hospital I could not even remember going to the IOM.Why? well after qualifying on my first Monday evening practise lap I decided to go straight through on a second lap but come the end of the mountain mile the bike had other ideas and broke its conrod which locked in under the magneto and pitched me over the top causing a long sleep untill wedensday and a comfortable bed in Ramsey Hospital for the duration of the TT,my mechanic was quite jealous as he was sleeping in the Thames van,mind you he had Max Deubel parked alongside for company,even world champions in those days,1964, had to slum it.
What were the comparisons to today? well no Helicopter practise week,apparently they brought an ambulance up a track to the Gooseneck and then with outriders along the track where apparently I was being attended to by a marshall and police constable who had run down from the Black Hut.I was told the policeman took much of his uniform off to keep me warm I was able to thank him as he visited me in hospital where the matron nurses and surgeon were superb,no chance of catching MRS in those days.On leaving hospital the matron gave me a lecture on why it was sensible to pack this dangerous sport in but insisted that if I came back next year I join her for afternoon cup of tea,which I did.
On leaving I had to collect my damaged bike from Ramsey police station who in those days retained it,my mechanic could not get it back whilst I was receving medical treatment,is this still the practise?
The only conciliation to what was a disaster was meeting a young nurse named rosemarie who soothed my brow and looked after my every need but thats another story,wonder where she is now?