Let's get this in perspective, chaps.

John Killeen entered a bike which the organisers accepted, having seen it.

He rode it well, averaged over 93mph, and finished in front of two (presumably) more "suitable" machines.

I for one haven't heard of any complaints from anyone coming across a "mobile chicane", and I doubt if he was going into Quarry Bends at a speed as low as "85mph" as suggested.

I have no doubt that this venture was because he WANTED to do the Manx, and this was the only machine available.

Where's the problem? I can remember my first Manx, at which there were two bog-standard 500-4 Honda road bikes entered, one in the Newcomers and one in the Senior, and I've come across road-legal Suzuki 500 twins as well. This practice continued through the 5 years in which I did the Manx.

Nobody (certainly no fellow-competitors) whinged about them. I was riding TZ350 Yamahas, and I had no problems.

Were any of those here, who are criticising, actually competing this year? if not, then shut up!

If he comes back, and it is to be hoped that he does, then no doubt he will have what will be regarded by the snipers as a more suitable bike.

In the meantime, how about a "bloody well done" to him??