It is hugely disappointing to note that a number of competitors in this year's MGP have STILL not received their Finishers Awards. It was disappointing enough that not all the trophies were available at the presentation at the rear of the Grandstand after the racing on the Saturday, but there can be no excuse for there still to be no sign of them - we're more than half-way through November for heaven's sake ! Shame on you, organisers.

The TT Riders Association now has a new Official Archivist, Larry Devlin, a former TT and MGPcompetitor.

Substantial Archives are held, covering the Isle of Man TT Races from their inception in 1907 as well as the Isle of Man Amateur Road Race, which was first run in 1923, and its successor, the Manx Grand Prix.

In the vast majority of cases, contemporary magazines containing Practice and Race reports are held, as well as numbers of the official ACU TT Report & Results Books.

In addition, the Archive contains race reports and results of the greater number of Continental Grands Prix and International Road Races from before World War One, and full details (as far as were published at the time) of all Irish Road Races up to 1930, with results etc after that date.

On behalf of the TTRA, Larry can answer queries/questions from anyone who wishes to be better informed in any of these areas.

The service is free to TTRA Members, while to others a fee is chargeable, the amount depending on the amount of research and work involved.

Larry can be contacted at:
64 Central Avenue
Bangor
County Down
Northern Ireland
BT20 3AU

Telephone 028 9145 8647
Mobile 07796 144931
E-mail <A HREF="mailto:lgdevlin@aol.com">lgdevlin@aol.com</A>

Anyone wanting some historic videos visit the Wirral 100 website as they have some brilliant tapes featuring Bob Mac and numerous riders, go into the history section and pick the year and Joe Edwards will mail them to you.

I have been reading an American book which relates the story of Brit Tony Vandervel
who apparently developed a watercooled Manx Norton engine. This,in tests,proved to produce more power than the standard Manx engine so it formed the basis of a Four cylinder Manx Norton engine which was developed as a Racing car engine....

Have any buffs out there any information on this as it is news to me but of great interest.

Where is the watercoled single now and is the racing car in a museum anywhere in the UK ??

Please help

I hear that Ducati have made representation to the ACU with regard to running their 750 twins in the 600cc races, as per most other meetings, this would add a bit of sound quality. Mind, we all said the same about two-strokes.
Sad to note the passing of Emily Murray, widow of Charlie Murray who built up Murray's Motorcycle Museum at the Bungalow. For many years in the 70s/80s 'Em' ran the cafe at the back of the building.

On 1st-3rd November has been held the "Madeira TT" in memory of Mike Hailwood--
Phil Read won one of the races on a TZ

website is <A HREF="http://www.madeira-tourist-trophy.com">www.madeira-tourist-trophy.com</A>

worth visiting !!

Off to a good start today (14th)

Don't forget to visit the following stands !

Isle of Man Tourism T55
Duke Video R10
Rod Organ CV22
and Many, Many more !!

See y'all there ??

IOMONLINE report that there is presently a search for opinions as to who the greatest Manxman ever there was ...

Has anyone any ideas, and has it to be a MAN ??

Surely we can find a suitable candidate

Reference the request for ID of a TT photo found by Judith Fuller, I am fairly sure it was taken at the Douglas Bay Hotel and shows the 500cc MV Agustas of John Hartle (2) and John Surtees (4) at the 1959 TT. Standing on the right looks like MV's Lightweight star Tarquinio Provini. Don't know who the other person is. The 1959 Senior was postponed to the Saturday but struck equally poor weather. Surtees won but I think Hartle crashed at Ballagarey. Regards - Geoff Cannell.

Does anyone know how Steve Rathbone is getting on?

I have heard a rumour that the Mallory round of BSB has been scrapped can anyone confirm this and if so why,Mallory is the best circuit and most friendly circuit in the midlands and attracts massive crowds.