There will always be someone with something to say about what they see as others stupidity.

As far as people condemning the mountain as to dangerous to race on Barry Sheene was not the only one, Peter Williams, Giacomo Agostini were amongst other great riders. Their condemnation always followed a tragedy that affected them personally, such as Gilberto Parlotti which I can understand, however it is always Barry Sheenes name that comes to the fore as the bad guy.

A bit unfair in my opinion, I knew Barry well from when he first raced Bulto's, and for a newcomer his performance was not bad at all, firstly he did not arrive for practice until the Wednesday.

Admitted his performance on Eddie Crooks Suzuki T20 was not his normal world class stuff, he was actually in 7th at the end of the first lap, and completed two laps, retiring on the third, but then he had hardened experienced campaigners like Bill Smith, Charlie Williams, Tommy Robb etc in front.

As far as his 125 race was concerned and considering the conditions, probably amongst the worst a T.T has been run in his performance was at least very impressive.

Admitted he was on the ex Stuart Graham works disc valve Suzuki twin, which was as quick as most 250s, I rode in that race and from start to finish it lashed with heavy rain and thick mist all across the mountain. Chas led it on lap one on the works Yamaha, Barry second and Borg Jannson on the works Maico third.

I saw Barry sat on the straw bales at Quarter Bridge, starting number 15 and having caught and past everyone on the roads except those three I was confident I was on for climbing the steps.

Conditions deteriorated to such and extent that all three of us were lapping two minutes slower on the last lap. The moment of glory was lost with much weeping, wailing and nashing of teeth when the crank gave out on the old CR93 at Glenn Duff on the last lap.

The Senior was then abandoned until Saturday morning. Barry defintely did the business that day and would have finished second he had lapped three minutes faster than all but Chas Mortimer.

I doubt if not many riders have not cursed the mountain, swearing never to return, I know I have watching Douglas disappear after one year in which I was to close to fatalities in the lightweight 250, Production and Senior. However I was back the next and many years after.

However I have witnessed far more fatalities at horse trials than ever in over 20 years on bikes and lost two good friends, a hunstman with the North Shropshire, and a Sergeant with a Police mounted division who were not even on the damn things but got kicked, one in the chest and other in the head.

I think were get two excited and by these odd spurious articles that always appear every year. I believe the current records of fatalities and serious injuries recorded by A&E departments, are children on trampolines. the fact that they get it wrong such as barry not completing one lap just shows ignorance of the facts.

Had many arguments with Barry about the T.T, but Parlloti affected him very badly, how many who criticise him for his opinion could have battled the way he did against Kenny Roberts Snr in the G.Ps?

Just ignore the uninformed and enjoy your racing.