I remember that system, it was only a few pits up from where I was.

I cannot remember seeing any pressure applied, that amount of fuel flowing through the huge bore pipes into the machine tank was like dropping a balloon full of water off a tall building.

We were all totally amazed at the speed at which their pit stops were carried out and various mixed feelings (jealousy, anger, protestation and the like) travelled down pit lane as fast as the fuel had been dumped into the tanks.

The trouble was that there was not a level playing field for these dumpers. I suppose we "cheated" since I had a pal in the avaiation industry who loaned me the fast filling valves. others struggled with what they had, hoping it would do the job. Then Barry comes along with what looked like a launching tower for a space shuttle !!

The organisers had to level things down !!

I am just pleased to have been a part of that 80s era where the regs were tested to the limit and beyond. This caused a revision and a tightening up of what was allowed in practices and racing.

Can you remember the days BEFORE compulsory oil spill collectors, mounted under race bikes.

We used a petrol-washed "dry" plastic oil bottle (I think Silkolene one liter comes to mind), but even after strapping it under the frame with cable ties and lock wire it still fell off, first lap, somewhere between Braddan and Union Mills !! We found it days later on the kerb without a drop of oil in it........(I knew it was ours, we'd stuck our decal on it !)

Keep this string going, I'm enjoying the memories.