Well I must say this is the best thread I've read in a long time, what a good question. I'm in complete awe of some of you. Amazing to think that there is so much experience out there.
Heres my little contribution.
I first went to watch a club race at Cadwell in about 1985 when I was 18 on my brand new, if somewhat crash damaged RD125LC mark2!!!! Had no real idea where Cadwell was other than if we aimed towards skeggy we'd find it!!! I remember the rider that caught my eye that day was Mark Westmoreland on a sky blue TZ350 (could hav been a 250) and from then on I wanted one.
First TT as spectator was 1986, went for the 2 weeks, first place I watched was bottom of Bray and coldn't understand why these riders would go so quick to 'certain death'? But was gripped. I was still on my 125lc, with L plates
First MGP I saw was 1989.
I raced short circuits from 1991 to 1992 to get my National licence then moved to road racing, doing Scarboro, Aberdare and then the MGP. Had a very chequered MGP 'career' starting 8 races in 4 years, finishing 4 times, retiring 3 times and falling off twice in the same lap in the 1994 lwt whilst in 5th place, between signpost and the nook, made the only sensible decision I've ever made in racing by retiring at the end of that lap at the pits. However I was lucky enough to get help from other people inlcluding Pete Norman of Stanton Service Station, Martin Bullock and Kev Spurr of KS Performance.
Only acheivements were
1992 Fe 250 open champion
Aberdare FE 350 open 1 st place and 3rd place in 1993 as newcomer.
1995 lwt MGP 3rd
1996 lwt MGP 1st.
had a tumble in Senior TT in 97 which effectively ended my competitive days, did NW200 in 1999 on 125 and loved it. Did TT again in 1999, 2000 and 2003 but the spark had gone. Have mechaniced for Mick Skene 2002 MGP, Maria Costello 2002 MGP, Carolyyn Sells 2003 MGP. From 2004 onwards I've helped (or hindered) not sure which, Brian The Scone Ranger Spooner at MGP.
Funny but when I summed up my crashes on the TT course I'd actually had more than I had finishes!! Same at Aberdare and Scarboro, I think I could be on the right side of the fence now :shock:
Russ