I remember sitting in the grandstand in the early 2000's seething after listening to a young couple in front of me ranting about how rubbish the scoreboard was an why wasn't it a digital display. I held my tongue but really wanted to give them a piece of my mind about why this was so important and the it represented a soul and community (in the racing) that would be destroyed by a digital display.

For me the scoreboard spoke volumes about the history of the event and the legacy that both the racing has left on the island and the island on the racing. A throw back to when racing was less commercialised and commoditised. It shouldn't have to be the same as Donnington. Racing at the TT has (had?) an old world honesty and integrity that shouldn't need team apparel, wrap around shades and sponsors marquees - everyone there was doing it for the love of it. The TT is and will continue to be unique and the scoreboard was a totem for the uniqueness.

But as already observed - all things must pass. But for sure it'll take some of the romance out of the spectacle.

Such is life.

Sam