Damn sure he is, Colin.

Right kiddies, back to square one.

The FIM, in their infinite wisdom, make it compulsory that all competitors riding outside their own Federation's territory have in place insurance for necessary Medical Expenses up to a minimum of US$15,000 and Repatriation up to a minimum of US$5,000.

Thus, of course, the new requirements do not affect in any way ACU/SACU Licenceholders who, in the IOM, are competing in their own Federation's territory.

As to MCUI riders, and as Cargo rightly says, these, whether from North or South, are not going to fall foul of Medical Expenses charges, so some time ago I/we persuaded Insurers that cover should be provided for US$20,000 in respect of "Medical Expenses &/or Repatriation".

Thus, if necessary, the entire Insured Benefit could be used for Repatriation.

In recent years, experience has shown that this amount has been sufficient to repatriate riders to Ireland, North or South, whether fatally injured or otherwise.

Now, as regards James Cornell and to begin with, I am surprised at Charlie's quoted figure of US$50,000 cover. As noted above, the FIM Minimum covers required are US$15,000/5,000.

Be that as it may, whatever there was it wasn't enough, and while the Manx Government have, as I understand it, at least partially funded the costs, I expect that they have said to the Manx MCC "Don't let that happen again"

In response, the Manx MCC, as is their entitlement, have jacked up the required levels of Benefit as noted.

Cargo's point is valid in that MCUI Licenceholders are very unlikely to require anything above the current FIM Minimums, but I would think that, to be on the safe side, a relatively small increase would be desirable.

But not to a total of US$258,000 :!:

We should not be lumped in with the rest of the world in this context, and ideally a graduated range of compulsory Benefits should apply.

That, however, would require the Manx MCC to ask their ACU Insurance Brokers & Underwriters to sit down and think logically.

No --- don't go there :wink:

In closing, and as the Manx MCC are anxious to point out, they make no money from these increased premiums (premia :?: ).

Charlie is correct is saying that the money goes to the Insurers, at least until another American rider does it wrong again.

Experience tells us that it'll be quite some time until this happens once more, but then again my crystal ball is far from clear . . . . . . . .

Finally, a historical note.

You might think that the FIM makes these covers compulsory in the interest of the riders.

Don't you believe it . . . . . . .

It all started in 1958 when a former World Champion was killed in a race on the Continent.

The family couldn't afford to ship the body home and the expenses were borne by the race organiser, who subsequently went bankrupt.

Now the FIM is nothing if not a gathering of race organisers, so they decreed that none of their number would go bust in the future - to achieve this, they placed the compulsory onus on the riders to have insurance against these expenses.

Tell me that nothing changes :!: :!: :!: