Bill Snelling Wrote:In 1960, first lap of the Ultra Lightweight and Mike slid to earth at Glen Helen, right in front of us.

Blimey Bill! I knew you were getting on a bit, but 1960?!
Morning practice epitomised for me all that was good and different about the Isle of Man experience. Hearing the MVs being started up just down from the digs - what an alarm clock....wonder how I could get that as a ring-tone? There was that special 'naughty' feeling about being allowed to ride a full race motorcycle on open exhausts through the still lamp-lit streets up to the start...One dawn practice in, I think 1971, I broke the habits of my life to be out of bed early enough to be first in line on my 125 Yamaha - just behind me was a certain Italian on a 350 MV, who managed to convey that he would be careful passing me, and that it would be some way down the course as he wanted to warm up the engine thoroughly before giving it full welly. In the still morning air I could hear him as I rode away from Union Mills, and on the approach to the Highlander kept over to allow this Ago missile to rocket past....a world champion playfully waved his right boot in thanks. What a great guy, and how unassuming. And I completely agree about the breakfast - 2 or 3 dawn laps, and bacon, eggs, sausage & beans washed down with landlady tea (put 2 spoonfuls of sugar in the pot to give it some colour!) - the perfect start to the day!