2023 Isle Of Man Tt

I don't disagree with most of that. I'm sure MD will just keep on racing, but will he keep on winning? There are a lot of new, young riders coming along who'll be hungry for wins.

Totally agree about Peter Hickman though, comes over as a really nice chap.

 

100%, if you stay on the battlefield for a too long period your sword will become blunt sooner or later.

 

Another one in the memory bank. I remember most of them assisted by my notebook diary in which I try to record a few events of the day and people met and stories shared.
Got a clear run over the mountain yesterday after the Senior Race and two today. First One round the coast road and over, the second one a full lap (except Governors Dip) which I have done a couple of times when my mate was telling me it wasn't a proper lap without it, so I have dodged round the cones and done it properly. It was some years ago and I suspect that it would be frowned upon in these PC and overly safety conscious times, even here at one of the last places we can ride freely.
I will be back and on this bike if possible, which makes no sense anywhere at under 60mph.

 

I must ride with my head down behind the screen more. I killed a shitload more flies on less than 2 laps today compared to Dean Harrisons lid. But then again, I don't have tear-offs.

 

anyone on the forum? White trousers are a giveaway.

 

Superb tt really enjoyed watching it and the preview shows before , it’s friggin madness , Hickman Dunlop and Harrison all relentless and each one is driving the others to be at their best , like Hickman said if you’re winning everything easily it would be boring , it’s like the gladiator ring for the modern age , it was weird how Harrison’s top speed was 10 mph + less than the other I presume his gearing was geared up for slightly better acceleration at the sacrifice of a little top speed , no other competition like it on the planet , very sad about raul Martinez especially when seeing him on the tt preview shows so full of life and excitement,

 

Joey was 48 when he won a hat trick, so plenty of time for these lads under the right circumstances.

 

It may be controversial but I think the parity between the machines these days will make it harder for a single rider to dominate like in the Joey Dunlop era, he was up against some good bikes, V&M R1's and RC45's etc, but in the last years, for example the VIMTO year, the bike was slow, they flew Colin Edwards spare engines from WSBK in to bolt into the bike, which did give him an edge.

Nowadays all the top 15 have bikes that have every single piece of kit on them that they need, factory support etc. so I personally think that's why you see this 'group of 3' that no-one can get near, if anything I think Dean Harrison has reached the limit of what the Kawasaki can do, not himself.

 

Got to compliment ITV on their coverage.

Some of the onboard views going through built up areas just bonkers, as are the overtaking bits at 170 plus when the lead rider must be concentrating that much on where he's going he may not know the other guy is there.

Almost behind the sofa as if the Daleks were coming.....

 

I do worry about McPint now, yes he's gone quicker than he has before, and maybe that's the motivation for him, but he's on probably the best bike out there (if you assume factory Honda can prepare a bike better than MD with the Hawk team who is their first year running Honda's).

I worry he's going to hurt himself trying to do something his mind and body just isn't able to do any more. Joey was older yes, but again, didn't have the level of injury and bad years Jon had recently.

 

John is older than joey was when he died. John's 51, joey was 48 when he died

 

we got back on thursday / friday early morning for 7 days over at the IOM. Racing and weather was brilliant, campsite and facilities and people again all brilliant stayed at glenlough again as on the course and in walking distance of crosby and the railway at union mills. Got a taxi up to the creg on day and watched all day. Used the buses as well and always on time and easy to navigate around, i know as used them many years ago when my bike was smashed up in liverpool on the way. In terms of numbers i dont think seemed quieter, however things are more spread out now, so makes it seem more quiet. Yes lots of shops have gone but thats the same in the UK since covid, you need to spend to keep them going. In terms of food if you venture out a bit and use local you can get really great food, if you in the main places then its a bit like a festival etc but still managed chilli and rice up at the Creg

 

i saw McGuinness walking round the pits, didn't pester him, got a pronounced limp, didn't know they had to stretch his leg 51mm, he has done over 52,000 miles around the TT (his words) so i'd be amazed if he ever stacked it now

i was amazed at how much people are on them, if not for selfies or a chat, talking to media, it must be hard, trying to get stuff done and smile for the public constantly,

loved looking at the bikes, the tech is awesome, was surprised at how small the rear cog was too,

had a good mosey at all the bikes and honestly, the best lookers were Ducatis, followed by some of the BMWs and some KTMs

some of the race bikes were stunning too, just on looks loved the padgets millenco hondas, how shallow

 

I went Thursday to Sunday and stayed in the posh tents at the Ruby Club with 23 mates so not the bike.
Viewed from Creg one day and the railway Union mills the other, was glorious.

 

I sure John arranged with Honda a compensation package in the form of provide me with a factory bike every year F.O.C until i stop racing.

 

There's a huge disparity between the teams and bikes, even in a heavily controlled class like Superstock. There's a certain ex-DD racer who now races on the roads and I spent an hour or two with him over the last few days on the island. He's riding a brand new S1000RR this year available for all to buy, whereas Hicky was riding an M1000RR which you can order but probably won't get an allocation. On paper the bikes seem pretty comparable, but under the skin it's a whole different matter, different frame/swingarm, engine etc etc. His bike was topping out at 177mph, Hicky close to 200mph through the speed traps. And then the superbike class is a completely different level, Hicky is on a fully supported factory BMW, sponsored by Monster who happen to be the main sponsor of the TT.... read into that what you will. I got a quick look at Dunlops Honda SBK and it's running a Suter swingarm for example, no idea how much that would cost, but it's not going to be cheap.

It's no different to any racing I guess, the top teams have the money and sponsors to get the top kit, lesser/privateer teams have to make do with what they can afford.

 

Ignoring the Hicky melodrama... In answer to the Suter Swingarm thing, they are something in the region of £30k ex vat, and aged, so believe they only last a few thousand miles... The Ducati factory swingarms last something like 1000k and are sent back to Italy for crack testing

 

It must have roasting in those leathers, luckily they've both got plenty of ventilation in those vest tops.