I think Fred Clarke's been close to calling it a day at the TT for a few years now, having lost many good friends over the years. I actually overheard him talking to Geoff Cannell behind the Grandstand in 1999 and saying that he wouldn't be back after the death of Simon Beck that year. He eventually changed his mind about that, but I suspect that the death of DJ last year finally made up his mind not to return to the TT.
Fred's style of commentary is not everybody's cup of tea, but he is a colourful character with a genuine deep love of bike racing. I must admit I'll miss him.
Over to you Larry Devlin.....!!