Road racing has long been a controversial topic with regards to it being outlawed on safety grounds and no doubt will continue to be questioned. This generally comes from people who have no interest or understanding of the sport what so ever! Competitors, marshals and spectators alike all understand the risks involved and make their own decision about attending such meetings. The sport is continually evolving and adapting to remove as much unnecessary risk as possible for all concerned, but nothing is 100% safe in life. In today's news another typical example that encapsulates the spirit of the sport and what it means to those who love it. 

Violet was injured spectating at the North West 200 and was critical for days and in the usual road racing fashion, she immediately states her support for the sport and her eagerness to return next year! 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/32870920

 

It also reminds me of this incident in 2009 at the ARR when after an elderly spectator was killed during the final race. The article doesn't mention specifically that upon learning of the tragedy, the family instantly insisted the race should continue as it would have been what he wanted.  

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/man-75-killed-by-motorbike-while-watching-armoy-race-28490349.html

 

 

For anyone who has never experienced road racing, I highly recommend it. A grid of bikes pushing 200 mph 4/5/6/7/8 abreast passing you less than a meter away(if you choose) on a country road, is....... JUST WATCH! (especially noting spectators chosen spots at 1:25 onwards, WOW!  :clap: 

TT time again... have only managed to get there once in 03 with my dad. And it was an epic week long festival - watchimg 2 lads come to blows over who got the plastic bag to sit on on the ditch up by keppel gate was priceless. They were both more civered in crap and weter by the time theyd finished fighting than if theyd just both sat down

. 2germans tourists died on mad sunday when they entred the circuit area and headed the wrong direction and met a jeep doing the course :(

But despite that and milky quails accident in practice noone involved inc from their group once suggested it should be stopped at least that i heard anyway..

TT time again correct and one of the many pluses of residing in the Isle Of Man. This years is bigger than ever, and already on Steampacket bookings for next year (2016) it is 10% up on this years.All the usual suspects are riding this year and as always Michael Dunlop has hit the headlines as he defects from Yamaha to BMW, he wasn,t happy with the set-up.As I type this I am listening to Thursdays practice and he has proved the point ( 4 seconds faster on the BMW than the Yamaha ).

As it could be Guy Martins last TT I really hope he wins race, he certainly has the machine to do it on.

Bring it on

Tony

I certainly hope that Guy Martin wins one this year but as now Michael Dunlop will also be on a BMW that possible makes it harder for Guy.  Only time will tell.

Sadly this year has already cost one rider his life.  Frenchman Franck Petricola lost his life whilst qualifying.  Some will be calling for it to be stopped as usual but all that enter know the risks and accept them freely.  I do hope there are no more this year but in reality there are very likely to be more be it riders taking part, spectators or visitors to the Island.

 

All motor sport is dangerous and of course the TT is unique in it's entirety but it should not be stopped and they take every effort to make it safer each year so let it carry on as the riders want is my view.

Super hope guy Martin wins this one too.

He deserves it

Last minute development for TT with Micky D

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/33004789

The OP put me in mind of the 2008 NW200, when Robert Dunlop was killed in practice, and Michael was out for the races next day (and I'd not have wanted to be the man who tried to stop him).

 

On a somewhat happier vein, best wishes to Guy as ever, but I'd like him to either get 2 or 3 wins,or none which I think would let him claim the title of "best rider to have never won a TT race".

Would love to see Guy getting at least one win before he retires from TT - very successful outwith the TT but never quite had the bike to cope with the particular challenges of the TT

I think it is true that Guy hasn't had the best bike in his time and this without doubt has stopped him from being on that top step.  He is one brave bloke and certainly could not be accused of not trying enough.  Last year showed the BMW to be a missile and fingers crossed all goes well for Guy this time.  There is some formidable opponents out there though and he will need a bit of luck as well.

It's a certain amount of luck aswel though isn't it.

Catching up with a back marker in the wrong place and not being able to pass immediately can cost valuable seconds.

It would be good to see him; Guy, win Have really enjoyed the various tv bio's of him. Seems at one with an oil can and spanner...

 

Certainly a good way to boost the start of his top gear time too, perhaps the only saving grace. There is only so long you can keep putting your neck out for. I catch myself a few times now soling and get a bit of a head rush, 5 years ago I'd not of thought about that 200' fall at all, or not once 35'+... I cannot imagine the mental strain of the TT... 

 

Crossing the road should be banned for some people, it won't so nor should this.

Would love to see Guy getting at least one win before he retires from TT - very successful outwith the TT but never quite had the bike to cope with the particular challenges of the TT

 

 

I think it is true that Guy hasn't had the best bike in his time and this without doubt has stopped him from being on that top step.  He is one brave bloke and certainly could not be accused of not trying enough.  Last year showed the BMW to be a missile and fingers crossed all goes well for Guy this time.  There is some formidable opponents out there though and he will need a bit of luck as well.

Check TT2014 Onboard 1 - In his on-board lap Guy is keeping up with Michael Dunlop, the eventual winner.

Iirc he was in for a winning time one year, until he crashed, burst into flames n ended up in hospital

What a superb TT, every year I say I'm going to venture over but not being one for sleeping in a field the chance of being able to book into a B and B before 2025 is slim.

Thank goodness for itv4

Sutty111 you really want to try Homestay for accomodation during the TT fortnight. Basically what the Manx public do is open their home up for B&B at about £30 PP per night, we have done it for 2 years and have had loads take advantage of it. We also have to be inspected by IOM Gov so everything is above board.HTH

Tony

Sutty111 you really want to try Homestay for accomodation during the TT fortnight. Basically what the Manx public do is open their home up for B&B at about £30 PP per night, we have done it for 2 years and have had loads take advantage of it. We also have to be inspected by IOM Gov so everything is above board.HTH

Tony

Do you know how many people you're going to have tapping you for a room or for a pitch in your garden next year now?

Ken already have one booked for next year. A pitch in the garden is a No No, not allowed as there are proper Campsites.

Tony

Fubar - great video - fairly certain I have seen it before but then again I love this stuff so could watch it over & over without getting bored   

 

I was over at the TT for all of race week and ended up getting some fantastic viewing points in the hedges at various points around the course. As you have already stated, everyone who attends these events goes for the love & thrill of the bikes flying past some points at close to 200 mph and the opportunity to ride the course adds to the excitement.

 

There is such as buzz around the place & the atmosphere at road races is always amazing and it won't stop me from attending & viewing in potentially dangerous places as these events are a rare thing that health & safety haven't managed to get a strangle hold on.............yet.

Fubar - great video - fairly certain I have seen it before but then again I love this stuff so could watch it over & over without getting bored   

 

I was over at the TT for all of race week and ended up getting some fantastic viewing points in the hedges at various points around the course. As you have already stated, everyone who attends these events goes for the love & thrill of the bikes flying past some points at close to 200 mph and the opportunity to ride the course adds to the excitement.

 

There is such as buzz around the place & the atmosphere at road races is always amazing and it won't stop me from attending & viewing in potentially dangerous places as these events are a rare thing that health & safety haven't managed to get a strangle hold on.............yet.

 

Happy days! Are you off to any of the other races this season? 

Unfortunately not this year as I ended up changing jobs earlier in the year which has screwed up my holidays for this year but as I had the 2015 TT booked since this time last year it wasn't going to stop me :-) 

More appropriate to this thread for what the sport means but from a dual prospective 

More appropriate to this thread for what the sport means but from a dual prospective

Just started watching that on the iphone n realised its 44 mins long.

Ill get it up on the tv soon!

Just watched it.

Quite some talant that.

Very informative too, and a little humour thrown in too.

Good vid tbh