This article on speed difference begs an answer in the light of argumentsdiscussion about qualifying times. If we credit the leader with lapping at 125mph average speed and our newcomer starting at number 80 lapping at 90 m.p.h. average speed the newcomer would be passed by the leader on his second lap before newcomer finished his first lap.(I deliberately do not use the term lapped since the newcomer would be starting 13min 10 sec behind the number 1 rider) sadly he would be passed again by the leader(assuming him to be number 1) At the end of his third lap 3 the leader would be 38 seconds behind newcomer and would finish the race before the newcomer completed his third lap.

If we are advising someone to race the Manx course I would strongly advise to start in the MGP where speeds are slightly lower.

Personally I think for TT big bikes the qualifying speed should be a minimum of 110 mph. 125mph average speed 18 min 6 sec lap time, 110 mph average speed lap time 20 mins 34.8. Unbelievably if number 80 can lap at 110 mph he would be passed by the leader and would only complete three laps.

I wonder in the light of these figures why the organisers do not go back to starting in pairs at ten second intervals.

Big D.