Billy I think I am the wrong one to be responding to your question because it has been twenty years since I last raced in the island and things have changed beyond recognition. However I will have go.

Early morning practice is something unique to the island and this is because of the length of the course the number of laps required to qualify and many riders having a number of different machines to get qualified. Personally I loved it and never missed it rain or shine.

The most important thing is the immense disruption to the residents and their normal everday business, getting to and from work the milkman and postman and all of the everyday things that people must do.

I do not see how early morning practice could be eliminated because of the number of hours the roads need to be closed to get everyone qualified with the required number of laps. You cannot increase the hours in the afternoon or evening because it because it would bring the island to a standstill for to long a period.

The big factor is the weather it can change so quickly it could be raining and low cloud of an evening so practice is cancelled, then could be a nice clear morning.

without the morning session the number of qualifying opportunities is reduced by 50%. A breakdown on an opening practice lap at a place such as Guthries and your stuck. and it can and does happen when you can have two or even three in a week.

It happened with me one year when I had five entries virtually every time I went out you name the place were you stop and cannot get back and I was there.

By the end of practice I was looking at a garage full of dismantled TZs with hardly a lap between them and the only qualified machine was the production bike.

Forunately I was able to appeal to the Jury and allowed to start in the other four classes because I had, I think about 36 T.Ts plus MGPs under my belt with a good record of finishes with some in the first six so experience and track record was taken into account and I was allowed to start. Not everyone is going to be that lucky.

I am sure more good marshalls could be recruited with enough publicity and a good training manual produced. It may just be that people just don't realise the need or know who to contact.

I am a life member of the T.T. Supporters Club and T.T. and MGP Riders Associatons and have never seen a call for marshalls in their news letters.

Why not circulate every motor cycle club in the U.K and Ireland.

Even I would not have a clue who to contact or how to becom a marshall so how can joe public.

I am sure there must be an awful lot of keen motor cyclists and others out there who would do the job with enthusiasm and pride.

On another point I am horrified at the amount of complaints on theses boards about riders ignoring flags.

Years ago this was a definate No No, even the greatest riders in the world would raise their head above the screen and lift their hand to warn a following rider at the sight of a yellow flag.

If you ignore a yellow flag you should be black flagged or eliminated from the result and banned from the event. if deemed serious enough a further ban on future events should be imposed.

Absolutely no exceptions I don't care how good you are, who your sponsor is or which works team you ride for it should be clearly highlighted on all entry forms and regulations. One strike and your out. If your sponsor or team does not like it and want to withdraw tough thats their loss.

If you are going to have such an important regulation enforce with vigour or don;t even bother to have it.

No one has has the right to place himself other riders, marshalls or the spectators at risk through sheer arrogance and stupidity.

Sorry not much but it might be food for thought.