Who's going to the TT this year?
Discussion
Update on Steve Mercer from his wife :
An update from Caroline, thanks to everyone for the support and well wishes
Caroline Mercer to Steve Mercer
3 hrs
Just to give you an update Steve had surgery early Thursday morning for pelvic and leg injuries which went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage. Other injuries include a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, a fracture to his larynx and damage to his neck which means he’s not currently able to breathe for himself without support. They’re keeping him heavily sedated most of the time to make him more comfortable whilst he recovers from his injuries. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to get over to him so quickly and for the hundreds of messages of support we have received. I have been reading some of your messages out to him to let him know everyone is rooting for him to get better. I’m sorry to everyone I haven’t replied to yet, Steve and the boys are keeping me busy, but I will try to get back to you all over the coming days. X
An update from Caroline, thanks to everyone for the support and well wishes
Caroline Mercer to Steve Mercer
3 hrs
Just to give you an update Steve had surgery early Thursday morning for pelvic and leg injuries which went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage. Other injuries include a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, a fracture to his larynx and damage to his neck which means he’s not currently able to breathe for himself without support. They’re keeping him heavily sedated most of the time to make him more comfortable whilst he recovers from his injuries. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to get over to him so quickly and for the hundreds of messages of support we have received. I have been reading some of your messages out to him to let him know everyone is rooting for him to get better. I’m sorry to everyone I haven’t replied to yet, Steve and the boys are keeping me busy, but I will try to get back to you all over the coming days. X
A993LAD said:
Update on Steve Mercer from his wife :
An update from Caroline, thanks to everyone for the support and well wishes
?Caroline Mercer? to Steve Mercer
3 hrs
Just to give you an update Steve had surgery early Thursday morning for pelvic and leg injuries which went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage. Other injuries include a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, a fracture to his larynx and damage to his neck which means he’s not currently able to breathe for himself without support. They’re keeping him heavily sedated most of the time to make him more comfortable whilst he recovers from his injuries. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to get over to him so quickly and for the hundreds of messages of support we have received. I have been reading some of your messages out to him to let him know everyone is rooting for him to get better. I’m sorry to everyone I haven’t replied to yet, Steve and the boys are keeping me busy, but I will try to get back to you all over the coming days. X
Sounds serious but not life threatening which is good. Hope he makes a full recovery.An update from Caroline, thanks to everyone for the support and well wishes
?Caroline Mercer? to Steve Mercer
3 hrs
Just to give you an update Steve had surgery early Thursday morning for pelvic and leg injuries which went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage. Other injuries include a broken ankle, heel, T12 vertebrae, a fracture to his larynx and damage to his neck which means he’s not currently able to breathe for himself without support. They’re keeping him heavily sedated most of the time to make him more comfortable whilst he recovers from his injuries. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us to get over to him so quickly and for the hundreds of messages of support we have received. I have been reading some of your messages out to him to let him know everyone is rooting for him to get better. I’m sorry to everyone I haven’t replied to yet, Steve and the boys are keeping me busy, but I will try to get back to you all over the coming days. X
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.
I have never competed for the money (in fact the TT probably costs the best part of £12,000 for the fortnight). Winning big money in this sport simply does not happen, not even at the top level. Trust me I know. Achievement, yes I do it because I can and there is nothing like it in the world. I have known and raced alongside many people who have sadly lost their lives to the sport (Paul Shoesmith, Billy Redmayne, Jamie Hodson, Dan Kneen to name but a few) and none of them, myself included, have gone into it without full awareness of the risks. Sure, we don't want things to end prematurely, but if they do, I would rather have gone doing this than to be bed ridden or such like and dependant on someone in my late 80s potentially. Life is for living and embracing. There is enough health and safety junk and red tape nonsense controlling our every move, so the fact that I am allowed to race around public roads is something wonderful and refreshing. 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.
robinh73 said:
I have never competed for the money (in fact the TT probably costs the best part of £12,000 for the fortnight). Winning big money in this sport simply does not happen, not even at the top level. Trust me I know. Achievement, yes I do it because I can and there is nothing like it in the world. I have known and raced alongside many people who have sadly lost their lives to the sport (Paul Shoesmith, Billy Redmayne, Jamie Hodson, Dan Kneen to name but a few) and none of them, myself included, have gone into it without full awareness of the risks. Sure, we don't want things to end prematurely, but if they do, I would rather have gone doing this than to be bed ridden or such like and dependant on someone in my late 80s potentially. Life is for living and embracing. There is enough health and safety junk and red tape nonsense controlling our every move, so the fact that I am allowed to race around public roads is something wonderful and refreshing.
well put. 
cbmotorsport said:
Yeah Jodie Kidd, not the best. I know she's a petrol head but not even sure she's ridden a bike.
Anyway, prepared to give them a chance. After a year or two they'll have better rapport with the riders etc.
She does ride a bike but you really need presenters who’ve raced bikes and ridden the TT to be credible presenters IMHO. Steve Plater/Parish and Jamie Whitham were all good. There must be other retired racers who’d be good at this. Personally, I prefer to see the action first hand.Anyway, prepared to give them a chance. After a year or two they'll have better rapport with the riders etc.
wormus said:
cbmotorsport said:
Yeah Jodie Kidd, not the best. I know she's a petrol head but not even sure she's ridden a bike.
Anyway, prepared to give them a chance. After a year or two they'll have better rapport with the riders etc.
She does ride a bike but you really need presenters who’ve raced bikes and ridden the TT to be credible presenters IMHO. Steve Plater/Parish and Jamie Whitham were all good. There must be other retired racers who’d be good at this. Personally, I prefer to see the action first hand.Anyway, prepared to give them a chance. After a year or two they'll have better rapport with the riders etc.
chunder27 said:
Typical responses from the kind of berks that think a race that kills countless people, not just racers every few years is perfectly fine.
I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
Live and let live buddy.. If you don't like it, cut it out your life...and certainly don't reply to threads about it, what's the point. I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
chunder27 said:
Typical responses from the kind of berks that think a race that kills countless people, not just racers every few years is perfectly fine.
I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
What an obnoxious chap. Never considered myself a berk before, been accused of being selfish for competing in motorbike road racing, but never a berk. I think I have had more pats on the back, handshakes and words of praise for getting out there and doing it. Each to their own, but I wouldn't change it for the world and I certainly don't think that getting called a berk for making a life choice is justified. I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
robinh73 said:
I have never competed for the money (in fact the TT probably costs the best part of £12,000 for the fortnight). Winning big money in this sport simply does not happen, not even at the top level. Trust me I know. Achievement, yes I do it because I can and there is nothing like it in the world. I have known and raced alongside many people who have sadly lost their lives to the sport (Paul Shoesmith, Billy Redmayne, Jamie Hodson, Dan Kneen to name but a few) and none of them, myself included, have gone into it without full awareness of the risks. Sure, we don't want things to end prematurely, but if they do, I would rather have gone doing this than to be bed ridden or such like and dependant on someone in my late 80s potentially. Life is for living and embracing. There is enough health and safety junk and red tape nonsense controlling our every move, so the fact that I am allowed to race around public roads is something wonderful and refreshing.
Well said.chunder27 said:
Typical responses from the kind of berks that think a race that kills countless people, not just racers every few years is perfectly fine.
I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
Catch the bus then.I guess I should have expected as much.
Isnt riding or racing a bike dangerous enough!
Don't forget to wear a condom. Can't be too careful, eh?
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