Paul,

I don't think anybody would disagree that you likely have a thankless job and can't please everyone all of the time. Just remember, you like the rest of us was once upon a time, first and foremost, a racing enthusiast.

Sadly now you are employed by a Government Department who are only interested in what revenue can be generated for their own coffers and like it or not you are no politician and are being put in the firing line for people to take a shot at.....meanwhile Adrian Earnshaw will take any glory that will come from the TT for himself.

I don't deny that maybe some of these contracts might have been put in place for a number of years to apparently protect the TT for years to come but let me ask you a couple of questions.

1. Have these sponsors stumped up three years worth of cash now or are they legally bound to do so? What happens if they decide nest year they don't want to? Is the Isle of Man Govt going to take on Arai, spending the tax payers money if they decide to pull the plug?

2. After the paying public...you know the once with their pants down, waiting to be taken from behind decide to vote with their feet and not return next year...then what? Who will be to blame? It won't be the DTL obviously will it?

3. What happens when the riders who have been snubbed this year apply to ride, get accepted and then say 'Poke it...we were not good enough in 2007?' I will refer back if I may to Brian & Julie. Does not matter which way you look at it, their faces don't fit and yet Brian will still don his Scruiteneers Overalls and give back!

Finally, No one disagrees (I don't think) that some true stars have been found...Cam the biggest I can think of and they are all heros. But what about the little hero who like me, wants/wanted their own part in the TT History. I am not saying that you need let every one who applies ride but nor do I think the TT should be made up of just the big guys.

You said that the last man away in the Senior?...was a podium man in the MGP?....Does that mean that for the race there should not be anyone lapping at say under 115mph?

I am sure we can meet up at some point in the Sulby Paul and I have no problem buying either. This is not a personal axe to grind with you, this is about the wider picture of the TT and how people are being screwed because it is 2007.

I am not racing this year but I will be Marshalling at Ballacraine/Ballaspur but in the meantime if there is anything I can do to assist and give back to the Races (not the DTL) that I love, I will only be too happy to.....the only reason being I love the TT and want it to be a success.

Just remember where your roots lay Paul, as a fan not as AE's puppet.

Regards

Fitz.