(19-12-2014, 12:00 PM)Malcolm Wrote:

TT supporters are trying to find anyone connected with a memorial at the side of the TT course which appears to have been destroyed by a vehicle crashing into it.

The small stone memorial was at the side of the course at The Nook and commemorated Czech rider Petr Hlavatka from Holodin who crashed nearby during TT practices in 1991.

According to the Isle of Man TT Circuit Memorials Revealed book by Paul Copparelli and Peter Mylchreest, the memorial was erected by Mr Hlavatka’s family and friends in a field on the outside of the course and bore a plaque on top of the stone plinth.

Fellow Czech Jiri Podobski, who lives nearby at Governor’s Hill contacted the Manx Independent recently noting the memorial had been demolished apparently by a vehicle hitting it after running off the road.

‘I drive past it every day and recently I noticed it was crashed into. I believe he was the only Czech rider to have died in the TT races.’

Mr Podobski said he knew the memorial was visited by Czech riders currently competing in the event and added there appeared to be a significant amount of debris left at the site, possibly from the vehicle responsible.

‘I’ve been going past it for about 15 years now so I am keen to know about any family ties. It would be nice if someone who knows something could come forward and then something could be done to repair it,’ he said.

Isle of Man police have said they are completely unaware of who may be responsible or indeed of any damage being done.

Paul Bradford, TT fan and author of the TT and MGP Memorial Book said he too had noticed the damage.

‘It’s clearly something substantial because it seems to have been broken right off,’ he said.

‘I know people who may be able to help with repairing it but we need to know if there is anyone in the island connected with the memorial. It would be nice to hear from anyone and see if they would like some help with repairs. It may be that matters are in hand.

‘It would be good to try and make contact with the person responsible for building it in the first place.’

Anyone able to help should contact John Turner at Isle of Man Newspapers

who can pass on their details.