I can only feel sorry for the young bloods and these days bloodesses struggling to start or keep racing without this massively costly sponsorship who have missed the good years when the manufacturers helped every single rider in the M.G.P and T.T. with free fuel and oil, plugs, a few tyres and free chains fitted, riveted up and adjusted by Reynolds and free welding off Ken Sprayson. Ferodo, Girling Lucas, Amal all had people, kit and little workshops set up on the Island to keep everyone newcomers, the privateers and the top stars going. All riders got an additional reducing bonus to help them out if they finished in the first 15 or 20 off the manufacturers like Shell, Castrol, Reynold etc if they were using that manufacturers products.

All the manufacturers in those days were in it to support the sport and ALL the riders in two great annual events, sure they got some publicity out of it when they advertised that such and race was won on Avon tyres or Lodge plugs.

But the only name allowed to appear on the machines was the manufacturers name on the tank, even a dealer/sponsor entrant could not have his name on the bike.

I can't help thinking that big business and commercial interests are ruining all sport.