I'm rather shocked Harvey has had so few replies, if that is true. I wrote in, as a few I know did, and while I only got the standard reply back I appreciate he can't reply to each individually and that the committee will read (and hopefully consider!) all the suggestions.

To be fair though, this consultation hasn't been very well publicised. If I hadn't happened to frequent these boards I would never have heard of it. And as much as it may shock some web-o-philes, not everybody in the world is on the internet! If I may suggest, this subject is too important to those of us who love the event and dwindling entries suggest that if something is not done to bring the riders (and importantly these days, the marshals!) back the Manx will die. And probably the TT as well soon after. The MMCC should not begrudge a bit of postage to send a flier out to all riders in the last few years soliciting their views.

And without wishing to open old wounds again the ACU has had a part in the decline and could do more to promote the recovery.

My own feelings on letting ex-TT guys back in is that it should be treated with extreme caution. At the moment we have TT winners coming back in the classic Manx, riding expensive replicas of exotic machines (engineered with modern materials and technology with no expense spared) and lapping at speeds unheard-of in the day. Leaving the poor mortals who pay their own entry fees and do their own spannering struggling in their wake. Poor mortals who have supported the races for years from their own pockets.

However I appreciate the dilemma former TT riders may be in now and I would sugest a compromise. Riders who have ridden in any TT should be allowed back to the Manx 5 years after their last TT ride. Any less and you risk pot-hunters using the Manx as a bit of practice and a few easy trophies at the expense of the peons.

Last point, I agree about the post classic, given the paucity of the entry in the Newcomers numbers. Though this would angle the meeting more towards the classics - fine in some eyes but not to others (and those others are the ones who run the sport). Personally, I think it would be a great spectacle, it would certainly bring me back and I reckon the spectators would love it too.