First off can I request people NOT to speculate on what the ACU may or may not regard as a satisfactory performance. There may be many reasons why somebody didn't turn in good performances, a high calibre of event perhaps or mechanical problems or a spill that only gave one race finish at a meeting. With pressure to achieve the required number of meetings the last thing we want is any suggestion that anything other than finishes may not be acceptable. Remember, by the ACU's own words they want riders to have current riding experience before tackling the mountain course - nothing in it about having to be short-circuit superstars. Let's not give them any more excuses to cut down entry lists further.

Secondly in response to David's point about TT riders returning to the Manx I am not a fan. I believe entries are high this year because many people see it as the last time they can, or are prepared to, jump through the ACU's hoops to get the course licence. Three races is not a big issue, six will be for many people. In the future I suspect we will see a big drop in entries and fewer refusals for the TT. Allowing refused TT riders into the Manx this year could crowd out Manx regulars one year and dissuade them from coming back in 2007, leading to still worse shortages of entries. People know the score at present, if they want to ride the TT the door at the Manx should remain closed to them, with the exception of the classic classes where many former TT riders already regularly ride. Allowing them back into the 'main events' would deplete the classics still further and dissuade up and coming riders who did want to move on to the TT.

I suppose you could argue that swelling the ranks of the riders at the Manx would be a good thing but depending on the ACU's point of view on the continuation of the event you may not find they agree either.