Phil Windrum Wrote:you have specifically mentioned the bumpiness of the Sulby Straight and that allowing bikes to go faster results in more accidents. I think that over the years about 5 riders have been killed around Sulby/Sulby Bridge, the last being in 1995. This obviously proves little and stats can be used in any way to back up a point but perhaps road improvements have made actually the Sulby Straight safer?
I agree that in general the Mountain course should be preserved but again where do you draw the line. Should the last rider off the mountain have to close the gate? The trouble with the TT circuit is that its dangerous everywhere. If you look at the tragic list of fatalities published elsewhere this will be confirmed. Certain places do appear more dangerous over the years than others eg Rhencullen, Bray Hill, May Hill, Alpine, 33rd. Should we concentrate on these areas for changes to be made. Most of us agree this is not what we’d like to see.

I suspect (and have tried to check) that you have never raced on the TT course, Phil, as Sulby Straight is not to be confused with the Cronk-y-Voddy! IMHO it is more important that steps are taken to substantially reduce the risks - principally to spectators and marshals, as riders should be well aware of the dangers and ride accordingly - than to not do anything in case less spectators attend. It is this seemingly deliberate policy of treating everything that has happened as "misadventure", or "one of those things" that has allowed the organisers and the government to do little or nothing for many years.
I loved the races, and although never threatening the category of 'great' did my utmost in different conditions to rise to the challenge the course presented, but I had the opportunity each year as someone else said so well to "tune myself in" to road racing from short circuits, doing as many laps as I could in the dawn, afternoon and evening practice sessions. If the Island will not tolerate the essential disturbance to its routine, then it is forcing inexperienced riders trying to race way beyond their limits. I don't think there was a single year when I did less than 12 laps, and often did 20, spread across the different classes, and this after 2 MGPs to start the learning process.