Thanks for that Edit Malcolm, I love reading your updates, it's a great service. I will miss the debates and discussions, and talking to the friends I have made on here. It's a shame it has to be ruined, especially now that of late the talking only seems to be about the TT, without the previous negativety towards the people trying to run it (my opinion).
However I don't blame you for closing it down if thats what you are going to do, a thankless task, I wouldn't want the hassle.
If you had a strict entry policy it would put off most of the idiots and trouble makers (works for me with my Taekwondo classes!), and the chat would be out of the public eye amongst race anoraks only.

Things like verifying identity, your address, even signing and posting a disclaimer. That would put off most people, but the hardcore hedge / bike nut has no life so would do anything to get into a place he can talk about his favourite subject (says the hardcore hedge / bike but who has no life). Just a thought.