I have stayed out of this one so far because I am as positive as can be that any changes to the present formatt is definately not going to happen.

As anyone who knows me will be aware I was a dedicted two stroke rider apart from a very long time ago on an MV, CR93 and a couple of Aermacchis I only ever raced Bultacos, TR 250. TR500 and Production T20 and T500 Suzuki's followed by TD2 TD3 and TZ250 and TZ 350 Maxtons almost everyone if not all of these machines have have produced rider entry or small dealer and private entry sponsor winners and lap records in virtually ever class.

Times have changed, no longer is the TT an event where the private rider or entrant could pitch there ability in both riding ability and or machine preperation against the the big manufacturers and win races and break lap records. To name just a small few Padgetts, Dugdales, Crooks, Gerald Brown, Terry Sheperd, Bill Smith, Mal Carter. yes and Tom Loughridge just a few of an endless list of private sponsors and rider entrants.


We are now in a world of commercial and merchandising priority,not a sport, the fact that the TT was a concept for all and sundry to pitch their skills and ability with the possibility of succes in the worlds toughest motor cycle race no longer exists.

The main Japanese manufactuers now dictate the rules and the TT is simply a marketing tool, the main target market today is 600 and 1000 machines, their is no interest in what either the spectators or private rider or sponsor want.

The official policy is that only that only production based machines I.E 600/1000cc will be raced at the TT because that is what we are marketing for maximumm profit for our company and shareholders. "There is no lomger a vast and profitable retail market for 50/ 125/250/350/400/500 and 750cc machines. SO WE WILL NOT AGREE TO YOU HAVING TT RACES FOR THEM and will will not give any factory support if you do".

Somebody convince me I am wrong when I say I am of the opinion that this is the official position of at least one major Japanese manufacturer or indeed even one individual employee of a major factory and the IOM Government, ACU and possibly others have allowed the TT to become a marketing tool to suit a vested financial interest agenda and have allowed themselves to be dictated to solely by factory commercial interests to the grave and serious detriment of the one of the worlds greatest sporting events.

Did someone say to, or even put it in writing to the TT organiers, "if you do not run the TT exactly for machines we want to market with no other races at all, and to the time schedule we want it run we will not give it any factory support whatsever????

Sorry but I guarantee you we will never see machines that are not production based raced in the TT again in the near future unless a new interest is shown, remember the Japanese machines did not exist not so very long ago, was not the the 50cc TT introduced to suit the world marketing demand for such machines.

Who knows the Chinese emerging market may change things are they noy emulating the Japanese in the 50/124 and 250cc motor cycles markets?

I think Paul Phillips has already clearly indicated on various forums what I have said about production based machines being the format in in the future and at this moment in times any pie in the sky fantasies about any changes will very sadly come to nothing.

I personally regret the passing of the 125 250 350 TT races as much anyone but at this time sadly I can see no change in the format in the near future.