I am going down memory lane tonight. The first time I attended the TT was in 1965. I was a 16 year old pillion passenger on a cousins, friends Vincent Black Prince. For the 250cc race we stopped in the forecourt of garage at Rhencullen. We could hear Jim Redman winding up the 250 Honda six almost from the start. He rushed by us with Phil Read on the 250 Yamaha in hot pursuit. As we all know Phil got alongside a few times but his motor blew up, and Jim went onto win.

Fast forward to the year 2000 and we, my wife Denise and I,was visting the Island for a short visit with friends inluding Jim and Kwezi Redman. For one of the first practise sessions Jim took us around the course in his hire car to find a suitable place to view and then Jim saw his friend Andy Kershaw the DJ. We stopped there and viewed. It then hit me and took me back that the race that first brought me the magic of the Island and its Superstars had come full circle and I was now with that first hero of the TT for me. He was escorting me around and had subsequently had stayed with us at my house. I had to tell Jim of my feelings there and he just simply replied, Ya, life is really surprising.
Life is so strange. I have another very interesting personal story about Jim and Phil, which for now I will leave for another time.

Isn't this an example of what makes our sport so wonderful, and why we have such lifelong loyalty and devotion to it? Our heroes are approachable and never think of themselves as anything but ordinary people, and are astonished that we think they are special.

Yes Helen and Jim, this is exactly what our sport is all about. Heroes who are our 'mates' and friendships which last for a lifetime. Aren't we lucky to be involved with such a wonderful sport.

Mine was in 1947, folks !!

I did not enjoy my first trip there..
Noisy motorbikes for two whole weeks and parents who did not take me to the beach !!!

But it grew on me and I have loved it ever since....
My Dad took time to explain and show to me all about the TT...He had been a regular from the 1920's and certainly passed on to me the TT spirit.

My thanks to Geoff Duke, the Bretts, my Dad and the Norton teams during the 50's, for I was "thrown in the deep end" and became so much a part of this wonderful event.

Tommy Ryan, Bill Lyle, Canon Stenning, Bertie Reid and many more, are others who talked TT to me..........................Can any of you remember these gentlemen ??

Peter Kneale was another who made my visits that much richer...Manx winner Denis Parkinson who did the telephone reports was another influence. The Hanks family are deserving of a mention as well.

Since my first visit, the TT has been a major part of my life as you must all realise !!!

Let's hope it all gets through this revamping period....It JUST has to !!
Long Live the TT

Well, its time some things were put right. This year I will take you to the beach, Ian. Bring your "dookers"!