With regard to the racing, it is 1st class stuff, no doubt about it, however like Chesty, I have also been witness to the pushing in of the big boys through scrutineering and the major and minor cheats that go on. 600cc bike in a 400 race for example.
I have been going for the last 10 years without fail, but the standard of entertainment and the greed of the Steam Racket have also put me off somewhat.

I was there for the first time in 20 years, and I had a fantastic time, with some awe inspiring racing, and not always from the big names.
I do think numbers are much less than in those days...noticeable at places like QuarterBridge where you could not breath in previous times, but then there are so many other things people can do now...BSB clash would not have helped.
It is a very expensive holiday, especially if there are a few in your family, and for those poor souls who camped to be economical, the conditions were just horrible.
Another strange thing for me was meeting young guys who didn't watch the racing at all, but did all the other things, like regular TT laps, Bushy's, visits to the paddock area where they could see the "stars", and then watched the races on the telly!! There's no accounting.
I enjoyed myself so much I will be back in a few weeks for the Southern100.....
Next year? Well, it costs the same to go to any of the IOM races so I will be at something, whether TT, Manx or S100....or more than one if I can.

That was your loss !

The cost of the "steam packet" the fact that the cat broke down both ways, none of this will stop me going back next year, my tickets are booked and I'm looking forwards to it already, the two lads I took over for the first time have booked for next year, where else can you get so close to the racing for a whole fortnight? let alone ride the roads your heroes ride with few speed limits and a section closed to two way traffic for the day.
john

I think I,ll manage to get over it.

TT 2002 was superb. Atmosphere electric, racing awe inspiring. Steamracket are greedy bastids and will continue to be so. The words nose, spite, face and cut come into mind.

Y

T'was my 1st visit in 3 years and I had a great time. Even those exotic dancers won't put me off coming back to the TT.

Oh, Michael they did try!