Quote Originally Posted by gav
Yeah, this is what will ultimately end the Isle of Man races, not that the track is dangerous (which it is, and the riders ride accordingly) Its the whole lack of professionalism surrounding it. I think Dave Jefferies crashed on oil from another bike, no yellow flags out, How much longer will the TT survive?
This is a question that has been raised annually since I started riding in the 50s. The I.O.M. is governed, not by U.K. parliament, but by it's own government. T.T. week provides a huge revenue for an Island with little industry and reliant mostly on the tourist trade. So long as this is the case, and riders are willing to race there, the T.T. will survive. David Jefferies was from a long line of bike racers. I bought my first bike from his Grandfather, Allen who was a Triumph works rider, His son, Tony Jefferies, David's father I think, was a top rider, badly injured in a race accident. As long as there are people like these, totally commited to bikes, the races will survive.. It's interesting to note that guys like Geoff Duke were national heroes back in the 50s, rating as high as soccer and motor racing stars. Now they don't get a mention on the sports news.

It will be interesting to see if the clerk of the course is charged with manslaughter as happened when a rider was killed at a sprint meeting there last year.

R.I.P. for all who are killed doing what they love the most.