To say the least, I am rather fed up with hearing about accolades,and how so and so lady was the first to do this and that,but some things need to be put right.The majority of lady competitors race because they simply have a love of the sport,and they wish to compete on equal terms with the men.That was my sole aim when I entered the TT in 1978,and I did it myself,with no one fighting my cause except my husband John.I didn't want or need an "entourage", and my bikes belonged to me, no sponsors except for great help with accommodation. I also "campaigned" for the right for ladies to be allowed to compete in the Ulster Grand Prix in 1982.I was refused that year, but was given permission in 1983.Unfortunately,due to dreadful weather,extreme lack of course knowledge etc., I didn't qualify by a small margin, so I couldn't be counted as the first lady to take part.
No doubt Liz tried hard for ladies to be allowed into the MGP, but Gloria was officially the first female starter.It was nothing to do with the alphabet,lol.As we all know,during practice,you may break a lap record,but it isn't official unless it's done in the race,and the same applies to who starts first.Liz raced in the production TT in 1988,and the rules allowed anyone who started in a proddy TT only,to still be permitted to ride in the MGP.Because of this,Liz was not a newcomer to the TT course,so she could not ride in the newcomers MGP,which was the first race of the week.Gloria however,was a newcomer,hence her being officially the first female.
I clearly remember when Ian Huntley was "helping" Margret Lingen at the TT in 1984,when I was also entered.I tried to speak to him,but was basically snubbed.I guess I was not high profile enough,maybe not glamorous enough,and I was simply English and not part of some big sponsor's team.
As I have stated,we all love the sport,and nothing gives us more pleasure than competing on equal terms,and when you do it all yourself,nobody else can take the credit.
Any comments anyone? Sensible ones,please,as we don't wish to be barred from this site.x