Seems I got it wrong a bit, but I was refering to this
Right... now I'm gonna answer this one and I don't normally like to get involved, but, here we go...
Firstly, the entries are decided by a Manx Motorcycle Club entry/numbers committee... the emphasis being on the word COMMITTEE, i.e a cumulative decision, which, I believe, does NOT include Paul Phillips. He works for the Dept. of Tourism and Leisure in the role of recruiting for, promoting and marketing the TT, he does not work for the MMCC and does not have any influence over their final decision. I'll think you'll find Caroline Etherington has more of a say than Paul.
Secondly, The grids are decided on merit and merit alone, the Superbike class does not have anyone that has done less than 116mph in it, purely because of the strength of entry, the 600 class has no-one who has done less than 112, possibly even more. Ago, you have achieved neither speeds in either class... same goes for Wade. There is no conspiracy, just pure and simple calculation... full stop. Obviously, newcomers have to be estimated, but I am damn sure this is done rigourously and is based on pedigree, experience and merit alone, not how big their bleeding name is.
Thirdly, I think you are doing yourself no favours going around slagging off the very people you suppose has influence over the final decision, but least of all, you are doing yourself no favours with the MMCC themselves and neither is Wade with his interesting slant on the whole thing in the Manx Independent this week.
Fourthly, who cares if Paul has ever riden a bike or not?? This ludicrous statement was also quoted from another racers website, but that man has done more in the last few years for the TT, than anyone has done in the last 10yrs, and much of it before he was employed to do so. His life-long enthusiasm and first hand experience, through growing up on the course and making sure he knew everything and anything about everyone who ever competed, make him far more qualified than you, I or half the paddock. He spends tireless hours, researching, promoting and responding to insistant accusations from people he really shouldn't bother with, but hey, what does he know?! As a very learned friend of mine pointed out recently, Arsene Wenger has never played football... does that mean he can't manage Arsenal?? Don't think so, hey?! (P.s it pains me to quote anything remotely to do with football, but I thought that one spoke volumes)
Finally, I do understand it's not very nice to be turned down, I too was turned down for a TT in 2004 when I wanted to ride a 600 for the first time and they obviously thought I wouldn't be quick enough, which, when I got to the MGP and did 108.7 standing start, they realised they were wrong, but hey... *** happens. I also do not want to offend anyone who hasn't got an entry this year, because I know many of those who have been turned down, but, the fact is, time moves on and it waits for no man... even if their names are Ago and Wade or who-ever!
The reason I have replied, is because it really irks me when people slag off the very people who are actually doing something to try to improve the event (the TT) which has needed improving for a LONG time, and most of those who are now slagging it, are the same who were probably slagging it when they thought the entry was nothing special. This year, it will be special, and so it should be... it is THE road race to beat all road races in the whole world... ???.
Rant over, I wait for the backlash.
P.s The top ten riders get paid to enter becuase, they are just that... the top ten! Go figure... who does the paying public go to watch at any meeting? At BSB, do you think the paying public go to watch the Virgin Media Cup... hmmm. Maybe not.
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