My understanding of this thread is that it discusses the question of infringement of regulations, the heavy handed tactics of the ACU on a competitor and the question of the ACU allowing injured or unfit riders to compete.

Firstly Elwyn Roberts addresses the disqualification of a rider alleged to have not parked his machine in Parc Ferme at the end of a race. Firstly I agree with Elwyn that it was a Draconian penalty given the circumstances, then on appeal the rider is re-instated and fined 500, again an extreme penalty, particularly as no other competitor lodged an objection and there was no bad tricks motive.

In his second posting Elwyn indicates that the machine may not even have been taken back to the van but left with security? if that is correct there should have been no penalty at all.

However even if the regulations were broken, as I stated previously a verbal warning should have been more than sufficient given the circumstances of the rider. Perhaps my choice of words that Robert should have had is bottom smacked were imprudent and badly chosen and taken out of context.

It is completely irrelevant if the rider was Robert Dunlop or anyone else and I take personal offence that I am alleged to be singling out Robert Dunlop for critcism, as I stated in my first posting.

"NEVERTHELESS A BRILLIANT RIDE BY ROBERT DUNLOP GIVEN HIS HANDICAP OF PREVIOUS INJURY". I believe Robert was as badly and unfairly treat as anyone else by the extremity of the penalties imposed others have done far worse and got away with it

Don Simons continues by addressing the safety issues and questionable negligent actions of the ACU by allowing injured riders to compete. This is far more serious issue than a minor infringement of paddock rules.

No one with half a brain would question Robert Dunlops undisputed exceptional talent and ability or past performances of a Manx newcomers win, 5 1st 3 2nd and 6 3rd places in the T.T. plus his numerous lap records.

There must be thousands of us out there who have had to settle for a few silver and bronze reps and the odd place in the 1st six and the fact that a T.T win was never within our grasp. I think we all look up to people such as Robert Dunlop and his like in awe and wonder and our admiration for their exceptional talent is without question.

However I repeat that my understanding of the the thread started by Elwyn is in respect of the harsh actions of the ACU and its failure to address issues logically and fairly.

I believe the further issues raised by Don Simons in respect of inured riders and safety are far more important than the infringement of Parc Ferme rules and the ACU need to address this issue pronto.

I am at a loss to understand the relevance of the tragic fatalities of David Jeffries and Peter Jarman or how their accidents have any connection with this thread, it has not even yet been officially established what the cause of their accidents were and there certainly does not appear to be any infringement or negligence of any kind by either these riders or the organisors or officials?

Finally ACU give the man his 500 back.