Wow! Thank you, Olie. What insight and wisdom for such a young lad... and I thought he was just naturally talented... still think you are, Olie, but hard, thoughful work has made you better than just good.
Can't wait to see where you go and what you do in future.
Mum and Dad must be SO proud of you.

Well I have to agree...this isn't just a 'good' thread...it's by far the most interesting and inspiring thread I've ever read on any forum because it reveals excitement and turns what must be fantastic memories into reality for us lot... from 'old stagers' like Larry :wink: to the young guns like Olie ...and all of it written with such passion....keep 'er lit guys...brilliant stuff, thanks

"When reading posts on this board I have been impressed how much alot of you know.

If its not a silly question how many of you have raced on the island or anywhere else?" ..look wot you started crofter

Dare I say, this is not so much a good thread as an interesting
book in the making.

MV Wrote:Dare I say, this is not so much a good thread as an interesting
book in the making.

Just what I was thinking .... and wasn't Helen looking for ideas to raise a little money for charity? Hmmmm.

Whoa... I have just started writing another book... one thing at a time would be good!
How about some more stories... Tommy Robb, I know you are out there... Matt...

thewitch Wrote:Tommy Robb, I know you are out there...

I spent a lot of the 250 Production TT in '73 following a certain little Irish bottom! Taught me a lot.........

I watched as two lovely bottoms came past me during a MGP race. I couldn't keep up
(I had a slipping clutch and that my excues and I'm sticking to it)

Gail and Elle.............................

I led one of them for a lap of Billown, spent the next lap admiring the said Scots bottom, then she just cheesed off and left me :!:

:roll:

Story of OUR :?: lives Larry

[quote="larryd"]I led one of them for a lap of Billown, spent the next lap admiring the said Scots bottom, then she just cheesed off and left me :!:

Sounds like maybe a bum steer there lads? :roll:

Ladies on road racers are sooooo fascinating; a bit like lady bass guitar players -if you don't see the connection, how about Suzi Quattro? I followed her for a long time too...........

Whatever, it's a great way to stop folk passing you!

Just to clarify - I followed the bottom and admired the lines taken by the bike, not the other way round!!......although Tommy was a bit prettier in those days :wink: :roll: :roll:

Steve, you can come back with as many installments as you like. Fantsatic. An excellent Christmas Day read.

Two thoughts.................
There one or two who should consider writing books.

And if Larry can't tell us how Steve did in that first visit to Tandragee then I'll eat my Arai...

Don't let me down Larry

started in 53.and visited the following,aintree,alton towers,brands,blandford,cadwell pk.castle coombe,crystal palace.ibsley,mettet.nurburgring,nw200 (the best)pau,paul ricard,spa.scarborough,thruxton,warminster.southern 100 course.clubmanstt,manx,& tt, and raced the following,ajs7r,g50,triumph t100,sprung hub thunderbird.triumph grand prix.4 manx nortons had three new ones,built cb450 honda in 1990,,,k4 honda, won on it in 1985,vfr 750 honda,kawasaki 750,9hr race gold star,bonneville,ajs 650 twin,rickman daytona,mv 203,mov velo,and yes 1928 longstroke sunbeam,norton 1930 cs1,1930 norton es2,1928 sidevalve norton,,,,mostly all my own bikes all bought on hire purchase,and no mechanics well hardly,no broken bones,but thats explained by harold daniells remark to f,sheene,hed be ok if he let the brakes off ! raced against all but ago no no not irish ago,the fast way to learn when they come past,no club meets then that were not attended by the great and the good,

Thanks all for taking the time to write an answer I enjoyed reading them.

Crofter

Don't stop now, folks. Who hasn't written their story? Tommy Robb? who else? We love reading them, so get tapping!

MV Wrote:My story is one of an experienced and long serving spectator
of road racing (thats circuit and closed roads) stretching
back to 1958.The same applies to my on the road bike riding
having started at the age of 16 (now 65!)

The people that I hold personally responsible for my "wasted life"
are, in no particular order, (actually, IN order!)
Bob McIntyre, Graham Walker and Mike Hailwood.
They got me hooked on racing, in particular the wonderful T.T.
My first race as a spectator, was at Thruxton for the 500 miler
in 1958
I had to wait from 1958 until 1967 until I made it to the
wonderful Isle of Man and it was all "downhill from there!"
What a year to start?! 1967. Hailwood and Agostini and more.

Since then, I havent missed many TTs and have seen so many
greats. The list is endless and I wouldnt know where to start!
This is why I carry so much knowledge and experience.

I have also spectated all around the uk.

In 1981, I went completely mad and had a brief spell racing
at club level ("It cant be that dificult!")
This involved mostly the North Gloucester club and on the
ex airfield circuits like Little Rissington.
My choice of bike was a Suzuki X7 250cc two stroke.
Being on the "other side of the fence" was something I dont
regret in spite of how it ended.
In May 1981, I raced at Cadwell Park and overdid it.
I fell off at the gooseneck and knocked myself about a bit.
I consider myself very lucky to have survived and had the
experience.
Since then, I have watched with a different head on.
I would never have raced around the Island cos I dont and
never did have the bottle.
I take my hat off to them all, from our own Cargo, Hilary
and Gail Musson,Fitz and Nick Jeffries to John McGuiness
and Shan Harris with hndreds in between.
I cant quite say "been there,seen it,done it"
But I have had a good stab.
As a result,I have so many wondeful friends in here.

Phew, that was better off my chest!

Hey MV, that means we were both doing the North Glos at the same time. I was on a Laverda Montjuic in the 500 Proddy class, then a 498 Honda in the Fourstrokes. Small world!

Sorry, got a bit off-topic there. What I wanted to say was as a short circuit rider who never quite had the commitment to do the Manx or TT, I'm in awe at the determination shown by anyone who has competed in the Island.

Come on, now... you've started, so finish... tell us your story.. even if it doesn't include racing here!