Apologies for the delay in replying, but I was taking part in a 24hour mountain bike race for charity at the weekend and this is the first real chance to go on line. I will answer all questions as best I can.


Q1 What about the Race service vans Of Ernie Coats and Co being told that they are not welcome, Is this untrue or will someone call these important people to the events liars?

A1 Yes this is untrue. Nobody has been told they are not welcome.


Q2 Have Toyota Motors not made an approach to attempt a lap of the TT ?

A2 No. Nor have two other manufacturers (or in fact any other manufacturers) as previously stated by George. This is pure fantasy.


Q3 Have riders not in the top 15 also been banned from having a camera on their bikes, something that could gain them some sponsorship, as well as being a learning tool ????.

A3 Nobody has ever been allowed to run an on board camera without the permission of the Clerk of the Course. The ruling in the regulations which mentions the top 15 is to ensure that any of those bikes can carry one without too much prior arrangement. It is important that on board cameras are fitted properly. The CoC has given permission for non broadcast rights holders to run cameras in the past, and at the same time there have been instances where people have fitted cameras of their own after technical inspection which have subsequently fell of a machine on a lap of the TT Course.


Q4 Why did the IOM Gov buy the rights or whatever deal from the ACU only for them to get their feet back in the door. ???.

A4 IOMGov obtained the rights to run the TT so it could take control of the event and maximise the earning potential from it by effectively becoming the promoter. ACU Events are contracted to organise the competitive element of the event and nothing more.


Q5 Did another film company offer to produce coverage of the TT for free to the same degree as has been shown this year ???.

Q5 The broadcast rights for the TT were awarded subject to tender in line with the financial regulations on the basis of quality of service and value for money. Nobody at that time offered to 'do it for free'.


Q6 Why was more pressure put on riders and teams senior race day after they had prepared to race by asking them to empty their pits of all fuel and equipment ?

A6 I agree that this was unfortunate. The fuel had to be emptied due to items in the safety plan for the Subaru lap. However, this wouldn't have been an issue had the car lap took place in its allotted time. The reason it was brought forward was at the request of a number of riders who wanted the time and the traffic on the course to allow time for the conditions to improve. This proved to be a good move as the race went ahead in good conditions and was an excellent race with no incidents.


Q7 And finally please tell us all, - what is more important a TT bike race or a demo lap by a car ?

A7 A TT Race


Q8 and please tell me, a credited photographer who has been coming to the TT for 64 years, why I was told I was illegally taking photographs in 3D (for my non-commercial experimental website in the old style anaglyph 3D red/cyan) because a certain Isle of Man company had total and sole rights to 3D photography.... ???

A8 I'd be interested to know who told you this Ian. Clearly this isn't correct.


Q9 At this years TT Race Mission gave away well over 500 bottles of water to competitors, mechanics, teams, officials and marshals and others. I was approached by somebody who told me that I could be flaunting some kind of a regulation whereby the franchise for supplying liquid refreshment in the grandstand area had been sold to a retail firm, and it could be construed that I was undermining them by giving it away thus depriving them (the retailer) of the business . I don't know if there is any truth in this, perhaps somebody could let me know.

A9 As with my reply above, I'd be interested to know who told you this Pat. Again, this is incorrect.


Regards

Paul Phillips
TT & Motorsport Development Manager