I have felt sorry for riders having another expense added to their racing budget. I also believe that the transponder system is the way to go. Unfortunately with mixed practices in the T.T. it will be necessary for riders to have one transponder per machine, so that the computer can identify which machine rather than the rider or the organisers have to run specific practice sessions for one class only when the transponder will only need to identify the rider - I wonder how the riders would feel about this.

As to the remark about the first rider across the line being awarded second place due to the positioning of his/her transponder this is possible and more importantly the finish line will have to be painted across the first line of the undersurface pick-up cable. I have seen a meeting where the pick-up cable was apart from the finish line and a rider slowing up at the finish line and chequered flag was awarded second place.

After my words may I take the oportunity to wish all a Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year.

Best wishes,

Big D.