Who's going to the TT this year?
Discussion
robinh73 said:
I am speaking from a biased point of view as a competitor and would say that the TT should be applauded, as should all road races. They are steeped in history, bring in millions in revenue (without the TT the Isle of Man would take a noticeable economical dip) and are one of the few instances in this day and age of health and safety, where you are allowed to experience the ultimate thrill. Nothing comes close to it and every one of us who participates, does so in the knowledge of what sadly may happen. I knew Dan Kneen reasonably well and had raced with him on and off, a great young man and one who had nothing to prove on the circuit. Should the sport be banned? No. There are far more pressing issues around than a group of like minded individuals who willingly participate in the best sport known to man.
Spot on. Hopefully we can now move on and enjoy this thread and the racing.For those that are there please keep the pics coming
Last Visit said:
But, I always feel extra sadness if it turns out a rider has young children, I bet they aren't thinking, 'oh well, dad was killed doing something he loved'.
Riders regularly admit to being selfish. Fair enough. If I had the talent and the kids I couldn't bring myself to do it. Them knowing that you loved it isn't quite enough comfort in my mind to compensate for a 30-50 year absence in their lives.
LetsTryAgain said:
Last Visit said:
I bet they aren't thinking, 'oh well, dad was killed doing something he loved'.
Think you'll find both Robert Dunlops' sons are on record stating *exactly* that...! Gavia said:
LetsTryAgain said:
Last Visit said:
I bet they aren't thinking, 'oh well, dad was killed doing something he loved'.
Think you'll find both Robert Dunlops' sons are on record stating *exactly* that...! RIP Dan Kneen.
Fingers crossed on Steve Mercer pulling through. He was the blue eyed boy in Powerbikes in Bemsee back when I was doing MiniTwins so I tend to follow him now I've got old & fat.
Went to the TT last year and he got off at the 11th in practice week (trundled past the wreckage on the way home) and was relieved to hear he was calling it a day at the TT after he had a bit of post-crash wobble around in the race itself.
Nice chap - can't believe the circumstances this latest one.
Hopefully everyone stays safe for the rest of the fortnight incl Dan Cooper - my mate's plumber who's a bit speedy on the SuperTwins.
Fingers crossed on Steve Mercer pulling through. He was the blue eyed boy in Powerbikes in Bemsee back when I was doing MiniTwins so I tend to follow him now I've got old & fat.
Went to the TT last year and he got off at the 11th in practice week (trundled past the wreckage on the way home) and was relieved to hear he was calling it a day at the TT after he had a bit of post-crash wobble around in the race itself.
Nice chap - can't believe the circumstances this latest one.
Hopefully everyone stays safe for the rest of the fortnight incl Dan Cooper - my mate's plumber who's a bit speedy on the SuperTwins.
chunder27 said:
I know they all chose to do it, but after 25 years watching bike racing, you can't help but feel a bit miffed about the TT when you are reminded how many people it has taken.
It's why I would never go there and why though a fabulous event to some, it is always tinged with a permanent sadness for me.
Simply not worth the risk, regardless of the arguments for and against.
It's why I would never go there and why though a fabulous event to some, it is always tinged with a permanent sadness for me.
Simply not worth the risk, regardless of the arguments for and against.
chunder27 said:
Doesn't change the fact that I get sick of finding out year after year riders are killed there.
Nothing can change that.
I going to assume you haven't made made your views known to all the TT and MGP competitors and asked them how they feel about it?Nothing can change that.
When you have, please come back and tell us about the replies you got, because they're the only opinions that matter!
Don't give a toss what the riders think.
There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
SAS Tom said:
What happened to the previous lot presenting? Jodie Kidd manages to make it the most boring thing ever.
A new company took over the production and didn’t retain Whitham, Parrish and co’. Going by what Whit said on Twitter a while ago, the first they knew of it was when new presenters were announced.ash73 said:
Enjoying the ITV4 build-up, and looking forward to seeing some racing.
I couldn't cope with the crowds during race week, but quite fancy popping over to the IoM some other time of the year to pootle around the track.
There's always the Manx Grand Prix/ Classic.I couldn't cope with the crowds during race week, but quite fancy popping over to the IoM some other time of the year to pootle around the track.
August,;
http://www.manxgrandprix.org/MGP/Future-Dates
Much quieter.
chunder27 said:
Don't give a toss what the riders think.
Quite.chunder27 said:
this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge.
You think they win ‘big money’? Have you seen the prize pot?£3.5k for 5th in the Senior is not what draws the riders in.
The only people who get a look in at any sort of decent money are those who’d do it for no prize money. Everyone else is very lucky if they win enough to cover their ferry tickets.
chunder27 said:
Don't give a toss what the riders think.
There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
As someone who knew a rider who died racing (at the NW200, not at the TT), I disagree with your post completely. He knew the risks, he knew the score and yet he did it because he loved it. I don’t see how you can dread something when you have no personal involvement.There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
His last words to me before heading out there were “I just love riding bikes fast, it’s what I was born to do and I can’t do much else”.
Race tracks aren’t sterile and safe, people die on them fairly regularly too, Oulton and Donington Parks have claimed a few lives in club racing in recent years, as well as caused some serious injuries. Shakey Byrne is still in hospital with a vast amount of broken bones from Snetterton.
Dying in the sport you love isn’t what anyone wants, but it’s a risk that comes with it sadly. Riders who don’t want to do it don’t. If you don’t like it then don’t watch it, but don’t try to force your views onto others, after all there’ll be someone who wants all racetracks shut down and why shouldn’t their voice be heard as much as yours?
Who said I was forcing my views on others?
I am not at all. I am simply stating that I fear this week every year, and if I could would prevent it.
I am not asking you to sign a petition.
I don't watch it, never do for that reason, obviously it is plastered all over the bikesport press so if you want to catch up on other things you are likely to read it too.
I am not at all. I am simply stating that I fear this week every year, and if I could would prevent it.
I am not asking you to sign a petition.
I don't watch it, never do for that reason, obviously it is plastered all over the bikesport press so if you want to catch up on other things you are likely to read it too.
Gavia said:
chunder27 said:
Don't give a toss what the riders think.
There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
As someone who knew a rider who died racing (at the NW200, not at the TT), I disagree with your post completely. He knew the risks, he knew the score and yet he did it because he loved it. I don’t see how you can dread something when you have no personal involvement.There will always be people prepared to risk their lives in search of money, achievement and the like. Same as there will always be people attempting to climb Everest who have not prepared properly or do mad swims, or jump out of their cars in a safari near lions.
Doesn't mean I have to like it does it? or just sit and be happy they died doing something they loved. Would I rather the didn't race there. Frankly yes. I would prefer a proper track, then guys who are not so good on race tracks might get better, or might just race at a level that suits their ability. this is thier portal to win and win big money, so the temptation is always there as is the challenge. but are some challenges worth it? For me, No.
I lose count of the racers who I admire who have died there. There is nothing I can do about it, but to simply say, they know the risks misses the point.
Come back perhaps when you ave spent 25 years dreading this week as you know there is a likelihood someone you have cheered on, seen racing or whatever has died. I never knew any of them, but I still feel grim about it.
Nothing anyone can say changes that.
His last words to me before heading out there were “I just love riding bikes fast, it’s what I was born to do and I can’t do much else”.
Race tracks aren’t sterile and safe, people die on them fairly regularly too, Oulton and Donington Parks have claimed a few lives in club racing in recent years, as well as caused some serious injuries. Shakey Byrne is still in hospital with a vast amount of broken bones from Snetterton.
Dying in the sport you love isn’t what anyone wants, but it’s a risk that comes with it sadly. Riders who don’t want to do it don’t. If you don’t like it then don’t watch it, but don’t try to force your views onto others, after all there’ll be someone who wants all racetracks shut down and why shouldn’t their voice be heard as much as yours?
Chunder27 -if it makes you feel grim then try and avoid the coverage and don't come on threads devoted to the TT. It is sad when a young bloke loses his life needlessly. Undoubtedly. But so long as the TT is run lets move on because we're here to talk about going, enjoying the spectacular riding, the island and all that goes with it, not dwell on the s
t side that comes with it. The TT is extreme but i think that's what attracts people to it as riders and spectators.A mate through work is going for the first time on Monday. He's from Uruguay, paid about $30,000 for his R6 over there with taxes, he's so excited to finally be going and I am jealous as yet again I'm unable to go...
ITV definitely missing the old presenting team. I know Jodie Kidd is a petrol head but her presentation is not exactly riveting.
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