My father was a great fan of the TT. At an early age in the '50's he started taking me to watch every year. My passion for motorcycling stemmed from those experiences. I "survived" riding for over 40yrs until recent ill health and her Ladyship (a Doctor) forced my retirement from riding my Ducatis.

What must be appreciated by all is that nobody forces any adult to either participate or spectate at a motorcycle road race like the TT or at the many motor rally events. They do so on their volition knowing full well the dangers inherent in those activities.

Prejudging the wisdom of holding those types of events when you are neither involved in any capacity, or, have never attended, is to demean the intelligence of all those who participate in any capacity be it as a rider/driver, navigator, marshall, steward, organiser, medic, technician, mechanic etc etc.. Each in their own capacity in my experience are throughly dedicated professionals whose only goal is excel in their role in the event, and not as is often portrayed after such tragedies, to behave recklessly or foolishly in their task.

Accidents do happen and no amount of legislation will prevent that. On road or track. Ever.

Of course road racing events happen all over the world. The Northern Ireland and Max races being the best known.
What's interesting is that they've been trying to reintroduce road races to the UK. At least, in the borders they have the Borders Race of the Reivers which will hopefully be a new road race around the Jedburgh area.
I'm not sure what stage it's at though.

I'm with athelstan on this,as an ex rider with 30 years experience on sports bikes I can understand the attraction from both the riders and spectators perspective having been on both sides of the fence.
It's always sad to hear of the tragedies that happen in sport that has a huge following world wide and for the families of those that loose their lives. Those that compete and watch know the dangers that are involved.
Both safety equipment and machines are always being developed to keep the riders as safe as can be, given the sport.
I wonder how many participants loose their lives horse riding or diving or any other type of sport each year.

This is a case where they would be better finding a track. I imagine the poor driver of the Honda thought he had a fatality on his hands

http://cars.aol.co.uk/2014/06/05/video-bik...flattened/

stooby wrote:

Of course road racing events happen all over the world. The Northern Ireland and Max races being the best known.
What's interesting is that they've been trying to reintroduce road races to the UK. At least, in the borders they have the Borders Race of the Reivers which will hopefully be a new road race around the Jedburgh area.
I'm not sure what stage it's at though.

i'm not sure if anyone saw it, but last night on ITV4 there was a program following that Yorkshire Rider with the lamb chop side burns

Very good at portraying the thrill of the race and the competitive streak that riders have, i recorded it but fell asleep with it been on late

apparently it was the 2011 series of races, when lamb chop threw his teddy out due to a 30 second penalty for going 0.12mph over the 60 mph pit lane limit

sounds like Guy Martin from Lincolnshire!

There is a depressing & ever increasing emphasis on risk minimisation these days, no doubt driven by target culture & the costs of an "insurance for everything" society. This is passively accepted by a population ever less tolerant of death & injury. Taken to its conclusion this gives us nice safe existances where everything is padded in de-risked to the point of being devoid of any interest or excitement.

In this context it is really refreshing that institutions like the TT & the NW200 can still exist. Long may those rare opportunities to live dangerously (for those brave enough to do so) continue. We're in danger of getting too soft & should toughen up a bit.

thats him, Guy Martin

Phew! The Senior race today was a corker!