(23-06-2015, 12:47 PM)wsn03 Wrote: You've probably hit the nail on the head. The man watching his carpet being chewed up was probably horrified and no doubt scared by the experience - some at the time were probably really drunk and found it funny. Fast forward 20 years and a far lesser event is a horrifying act to us now that we're older, more responsible and more easily offended.

I lived on the Island from 1970 to 1991 - trust me, the fans in the 70s and 80s didn't spend their time doffing caps to everyone on their afternoon strolls. And the late 90s in Douglas were about the worst - girls getting them out for the crowds encouraged by the entertainment organisers, in full view of any kids around on the big screen - not to mention the thefts, the fights, the drugs and the vey very anti-social riding. Does anyone remember when locals started complaining en masse about the dangerous riding, when an out of control bike crashed into a local car killing some family??

No question there are idiots, but there always were, they follow big events everywhere. I probably found it not as bad this year as many in the past - I certainly never came across any trouble.

All i want to know is - when was it any better after society decided to drop some of its old fashioned behaviour, say from the 70s onwards?
And when did the organisers sit down and decide to attract trouble to the Island as some sort of policy / good idea?

wsn03
 Were has anyone specifically posted that the DED have sat down and decided to attract trouble to the island?
What I have said is the DED want to consider who they are marketing the event to.
Lets us rewind  for a moment and start again.
The TT is all about motorcycle racing. So it would make sense to first market the event to people who have an interest in motorcycles. Yes, I know that the DED set up a stand at the NEC bike show, but what happened to the support the motorcycle monthly press used to give the TT. Bike, Performance Bike, Back Street Heros, Superbike, Strretfighters ( now defunk, but stiill part of BSH )all used to have a very strong presence at the TT, and now there is nothing. MCN has increased its profile at the TT, and I do believe that is a direct result of the DED.
 I would be interested to know if the DED has put in the same effort with the monthlys as they have with MCN. It may be that they have and have had a negative response back from them. Either way no one can deny that MCN apart, the coverage and support the TT gets from the monthlys is a fraction of what it use to be.
So now we are left with the DED promoting to a different market, which will attract none motorcycle enthusiasts. You can argue that there is nothing wrong with that, and I am not saying that there is.
Now we have Chris Evans as the new host of Top Gear saying that there will be more motorcycles on the show, and should they come to the TT.
From a marketing point of veiw, for the DED, it is a golden ticket.
What I dont want to happen is ( assuming that the new Top Gear is as good as the old one) the boy racer car brigade gets a whiff that they have a mini version of the Nurburgring right on there doorstep when the Mountain section is one way for two weeks. And yes I know that Top Gear have done a few car features on the Island, but they have never explained in detail what happens at the TT.
I assume the DED will have some presence at Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend?