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Why I won’t be with Manx Radio this year

Today I was informed that Manx Radio will not be renewing my contract to commentate on the TT and MGP races.

I’m very disappointed about this although it did not come as a massive shock. It’s been evident for several months that Manx Radio and the IoM Government were having difficulties reaching a deal for 2013. Money is in short supply and I’m part of the collateral damage.

So is my pal Charlie Williams who is not being engaged this year and I’m also very sad that our fantastic duo Mavis Brown and Heike Perry are not going to be providing commentaries in French and German.

Over 9 years I’ve called home 193 races. It has been a massive privilege to do this, and be the commentator at the 2007 centenary, the first 130mph lap, Hutchy’s five in a row, Dan Kneen’s MGP treble, the closest-ever finish on the Mountain Course when Craig Atkinson won the MGP Junior, Carolynn Sells recording the first victory by a woman, and be involved in projects like Closer to the Edge, the TT Zero documentary and many other activities, not least being asked to lead the funeral of Paul Dobbs.

I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me over the years, especially Eunice Cubbon, Norman Quayle, Tim Glover, Chris Kinley and Martin Bullock. And above all Dorothy Lambert who is the only one who knows exactly how much of a challenge it’s been at times.

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