Well well. Carolynn, I remember the conversation with you regarding the new "corner" at Brandish. You liked it, I did not. But before I go any further, I must say that I applaud everyone who competes around the TT course,male and female, and as for John McGuiness, I think his performance was outstanding, in terms of,skill, consistency, smoothness, and for a thoroughly professional approach.
However. My point to Carolynn was that the two new corners are debasing everyone's speed from recent years. No I don't expect to open gates, nor do I expect the old sixties surface with its concave camber, and melting tar, but I do expect the course to virtually cover the ground it once did. I don't really think that Quarry bends should have been tranformed either, definitely not Windy, but as for Brandish,... well!! What's that all about? The Highways Board have stuck two fingers up to those who have an interest in the TT course, and allegedly made the change to increase safety for the normal road user. No way will safety increase. Mr Clio and GTI Golf driver (aged 21) will be on their way up to Creg Ny Baa at least 40-60mph more than they used to, thus the closing speed with traffic coming down the hill has massively increased. Same with Windy. Mr C & G are arriving at the 32nd milestone far faster than they used to, and guess what? They're having accidents. Non during TT fortnight because of the one way system thank god, but sadly it won't be long, in my opinion, before they're crashing in numbers at the 32nd, and then, hey presto, the 32nd will be opened out.
I am totally against improving the TT course for "safety", if it means speeds increase for the normal road user. If they felt they HAD to open Brandish out they could have just improved visibility. At the very worst they could have made it dual carriageway, with the TT course following the old route,i.e uphill route. I spoke to the new Minister of Highways, David Anderson about all this, and he said that it would cost too much!! But the old road already existed.
Then he told me about the new tunnel they are going to dig to link the fire station with the Hospital!!!!! The dual carriageway at Brandish would be petty cash compared to that.
Anyway, as for the new Brandish, Ian Hutch told me it's just down a gear and keep driving. That is not the same test of skill as it used to be. Still skillful, yes, especially at 150mph, but it is NOT what the TT course is about. The time saved, I estimate as 6-8seconds. What did John knock off the record? I think it was 8 seconds.
So in fact they haven't gone faster than last year, it just looks that way.Why not dig a tunnel from Gooseneck to Governors, and be done with it? Anyone else think like me?