Del Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Any fans on here?I've just finished Rick Broadbent's book 'That Near-Death Thing', and although bikes aren't really my bag, I find myself fascinated by the TT.It's not on until June, and I'm finding out more about the races and the riders, and trying to work out who to support.I know Guy Martin from his TV stuff, and really like what he does on telly, but don't know much about him as a racer (although I always like a sportsman that entertains) and I have huge admiration for Conor Cummins, after his comeback from that massive smash a few years ago, and doing well against the odds.But I'm leaning towards Bruce Anstey, the fastest man ever on the course, and almost exactly the same age as me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted February 11, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 11, 2015 NHN Neil and Jock are probably the most knowledgeable on this part of the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Agree with Mick. You'll find both of them in Early Risers-all topics welcomed! Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted February 12, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 12, 2015 Guy Martin, no brainer. Mad as a box of frogs. And after seeing him on telly going up the (dodgy) 60 story skyscraper right to the very top, he's truly nuts..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I'm not a fan of bikes, really, but respect for anyone mad enough to take that course on. It's in a car, but this is worth a watch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Parker Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Any fans on here? I've just finished Rick Broadbent's book 'That Near-Death Thing', and although bikes aren't really my bag, I find myself fascinated by the TT. It's not on until June, and I'm finding out more about the races and the riders, and trying to work out who to support. I know Guy Martin from his TV stuff, and really like what he does on telly, but don't know much about him as a racer (although I always like a sportsman that entertains) and I have huge admiration for Conor Cummins, after his comeback from that massive smash a few years ago, and doing well against the odds. But I'm leaning towards Bruce Anstey, the fastest man ever on the course, and almost exactly the same age as me. "That Near-Death Thing" is an excellent book. I wrote a longer review here. First saw the TT practises in 1993 when I went over to see the railways. Those guys are brilliant and a bit crazy. Now I watch the TV coverage for general views of the island as mach as the sport but it still fascinates me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted February 12, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 12, 2015 The what? The where? Mmm, Guy is OK, he was helpful when we approached him for a fund raiser for one of the local racing clubs - likes his privacy though. John McGuiness too, nice bloke. Bruce is cool, Cam Donald too, Conor is just one of the lads - local to us. The big thing about the TT is it's free.....just as well as it is expensive to get here. Plus the closeness of spectating, I'll post some shots when I'm on the other computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted February 12, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 12, 2015 Never mind horror movies, zombie apocalypses, slasher flicks, end of the world et al, footage from a windscreen cam round the TT course is the scariest thing I've ever seen.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted February 12, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 12, 2015 Never mind horror movies, zombie apocalypses, slasher flicks, end of the world et al, footage from a windscreen cam round the TT course is the scariest thing I've ever seen.... Kinda like the run to work every morning in the 214... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted February 12, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 12, 2015 I still remember Mick Grant's lap of the TT years back and thinking I can't do that I think it was 110 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runs as required Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Of the times I have been lucky enough to get across to the TT, 3 particular times stick in my mind: 1 Mac Hobson from Gosforth Newcastle beating Biland to win the 1977 sidecar race, - I have never ever seen a more terrifying spectacle. He showed us his outfit beforehand and was a really modest shy kind of guy. But he and his 'passenger' Kenny Birch were killed the following year just after the start when the outfit flipped on the brow of Bray Hill after catching a misalligned manhole cover. My medic friend reckoned they would have known nothing about it, though they are still mourned on Tyneside. 2 Fortunately we missed that race, though we did witness Hailwood's i978 come-back win, riding that iconic red/green booming Ducati 900SS. 3 I can't remember which year but we stood in the churchyard at Braddan Bridge to watch a demo lap by the old racers Duke, Agostini & co : of whom the undoubted star was Stanley Woods. He would have been in his late eighties, on a Velocette and going like the clappers in what looked to be his pre war kit. dh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 It's in a car, but this is worth a watch: Good heavens! That's astounding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250BOB Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 The TT is not really my bag....I much prefer the short circuit stuff, i.e. Oulton Park, Cadwell Park etc., I have only been twice in my life so far........first time in the sixties just for one day, saw Hailwood and Agostini going at it......last time I went was in the nineties. I think its more about the social atmosphere....most fans taking a weeks holiday to do it. Love my bikes though.......my avatar is me at Darley Moor circuit 10 years ago .....aged 56.....what a buzzzzz. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judge Dread Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 If you ain't tried it, don't knock it. Had my ride around in 1969 on my 1952 Vincent Series C Rapide. Tried in again in 1973 in a 1967 Morris Minor, I still don't know which was the more scary. That was the year our holiday ended on a very sombre note. We were drinking in the evening in the Highlander pub on the course when a fire engine passed by at high speed. The landlord commented "There's something very serious happening in Douglas, they never call on Peal for help!" There was, the fire at Summerland. We caught the bus back to Douglas and took a taxi, for which payment was refused, to the Noble hospital to volunteer to help. My wife was then a nurse, we were too late but thanked for the thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 With wonderful serendipity, I found this today, for a fiver: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted February 21, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 21, 2015 TT 2013. Mikey Dunlop You get pretty close to the action... Of course it helps if you live there... Do many go? Yes..... No idea why the images aren't where I put them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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