THIS ONE NOT PAUL PHILLIPS

Try to stay with the theme of the posts on this string. If the qualification time is going to be 115 mph then a previous post has mentioned that this would make-up a field of about 30 riders when using time for the Senior Race TT 2006. This is getting back to racing in the 1930's with fields of 30-40 riders and starting intervals of 30 seconds. Perhaps it is time to consider a TT Support Race as there seems to be general interest in allowing Wade Boyde and Kevin Murphy to race. There is also a vacant slot in the race schedule where the Lightweight TT Race use to run. Perhaps also include 400cc and two-strokes to make a complete field. I think that race fans also like to see racing during TT week and not over extended practice sessions.

After first visiting the North West 200 over 20 years ago, I have consistently made comments to the TTMA and the MMCC about saftey issues seen at the North West 200 which could be applied to TT Races and Manx Grand Prix. I must admit that some saftey observations were specific to the North West 200 (eg the road surface, the older Portstewart to Coleraine section and the former Ballsallie Bridge.) Some of the more general and practical observations could have been applied sometime ago and actual seen at the Southern 100 Races and could have been paid for by selling the increased advertising space. It is not until TT 2002(?) or perhaps TT 2003 that the ACU started applying some of more general saftey practices that I had seen at the North West 200 nearly 20 years ago in a very limited way. This could also apply to some of the air-fences placed on the TT course in the last 10 days. I was going to mention some problems to the TTMA, although some air-fences have now been moved in the last couple of days. Keeping on track with this string, programmes are sold track-side at the Southern 100. With the North-West 200 most visitors are track-side from early Saturday morning only and is only natural to sell programmes trackside (there is also a problem with programmes being sold in the Coleraine area and the percentage the newspaper distributors demand.)

After last year asking the Tourist Board for some general information about the TT Races, I made some general remarks about safety issues. To my surprise these perhaps small points where passed to on to TT marshalls very quickly. This year again asking for information I was redirected to an office in London. I was just concerned about loosing the important local connection.

In clarifying the situation about the court case which was mentioned in previous post, it may not have been directly involved racing. There was also the problems with the "Bounty" replica and also which I forgot to mention the conversion of Jurby Airfield into a race circuit (the Minister was sacked), the TT Museum, the tram from Portugal (which was cut-up and burnt), the Tram sheds, the incomplete railway carriage, buying a fleet of single-decker buses which had to be replaced with a fleet of double-decker buses, trying to run trams in direct competiton with buses and finally I think there are some bowling lanes as well. Again with the problems with the Manx Electricity Authority perhaps the 'Manxies' and the TT Taliban should take a closer look at their electricity bills. I think perhaps if there is a safety issue then please make a comment it will eventually be taken-up.