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All change again for the TT Supporters Club
Trophy – for many years, the trophy, a silver
tray on a plinth was awarded to the winner of the Ultra-lightweight 125 Race, then, with
the demise of that class, last year it was presented to Jason Griffiths as having the best
aggregate time in the two Junior Supersport TT Races. Now with only one Supersport
race the trophy will now be presented to the highest placed finisher on a 600 Supersport
machine in the Senior TT.
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The Dublin branch of the TTSC headed by Myles Lally held its first Christmas Dinner and
Night out during the festive season in Skerries. Of the 25 attending the special invited
guests included local TT podium finisher Martin Finnegan, local MGP hero Keith Costello,
and sponsor of the Street Sweep Two Stroke Supporters Club Series Gary Ryan.
(… no conflict of interests there ...) All had their gorgeous better halves in tow and a
great night was had in the local steak house RW Grahams. After the meal and plenty of lubrication
the Kareoke started, and this lasted until the wee small hours. Photo’s of the budding
X-Factor singers and fans later surfaced on the realroadracing.com message board
much to everyone’s amusement or was that embarrassment! After the February TTSC
meeting it was agreed that with such fun to be had it should become an annual event.
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Apologies to our German Representative, Gerti Eppert, who was not given credit for her
article, ‘The Impressions of a Newcomer’, in the Winter 2005 issue of the Magazine. The
article, which followed Frank ‘Fritz’ Spenner’s exploits through his first TT meeting, was both
written and translated by Gerti – the latter skill is certainly appreciated by the Editor whose
grasp of the German language is probably limited to ‘ein grosses bier, bitte’; sorry, Gerti
and many thanks again for giving us such in depth information on a talented rider, who we
hope has a long and successful TT career in from of him.
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A change with respect to the TTSC Annual Dinner – Tom Haygarth has recently experienced
a bout of ill-health and so has handed over the organisational reins to Amanda
Mills. We thank Tom for his help and wish him all the best for the future as we do to Amanda
in her new role. Amanda can be contacted via 67 Woodfield, Bamber Bridge, Preston,
PR5 8ED. Tel: 01772 324535. Mobile: 07884 330227. E-mail: red.ajm@tiscali.co.uk The
2007 Annual Dinner is scheduled for Saturday 17th February at the usual venue,
The Crofters Hotel, Garstang, near Preston. Amanda will be pleased to give you any further
information.
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Bill Crumpton, James’ Dad, kindly let the Club
know of the money raised in support of the
MGP Helicopter fund by family and friends in memory of James, who tragically lost his
life in a road accident last year. £1,300 was donated as a result of a collection made at
James’ funeral and a further £350 was raised by his old school friends at a class reunion.
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Seemingly, there will be two rescue helicopters
at this year’s meeting, which is, of course, excellent news for competitors unfortunately
requiring hospital treatment. There is, however, no doubting the excellent service
provided by last year’s single helicopter both at the TT and MGP. According to statistics in
the 2006 Manx Organisation for Motorsport Medical Officers and Paramedics [MOMMOP]
Newsletter at TT 2005 the average time from AIRMED alert to arriving at the scene of
an incident from its usual base near Alpine Cottage was 5.8 minutes and this included
a start up time of two minutes. Average time spent on the ground at the scene of the incident
was 12.3 minutes….and then on to the Nobles Hospital helipad to give an average
time from alert of 23.6 minutes. This overall average for the MGP was even an improvement
on that at exactly 21 minutes.
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The TT Supporters Club is always grateful for any assistance it receives in fulfilling its aim
of supporting those who wish to pit their skills against the Mountain Course and so thanks
goes to Dorwingear Ltd, the door and window gear service specialists of Birmingham,
for providing the Club with the van in which all our stock is taken over to the Isle of Man.
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Our Club is eligible to enter teams for the Club Award in each of the races. However, as we
don’t think it appropriate to finance the entry fee of £25 from Club funds, we are looking for
individual sponsors. If you can assist with the cost of the entry fee, contact Rose Hanks in
the Club shop at the rear of the Grandstand. A silver replica will be awarded for the team
who complete the total distance of the race in the shortest aggregate time. A medal will
also be awarded to each driver and passenger.
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Future dates -TT 2007, the centenary of the event is scheduled for 26 May – 8 June,
with the following year’s meeting due to take place from 24 May to 6 June. Of course another
‘centenary’ looms, that of racing on the Mountain Course in 2011.
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Don’t mention this to him, but will Roy Hanks be setting out to ‘make it three in a row’ by
retaining the Frank Cope Trophy? Being the recipient, along with passenger Dave Wells
in ’04 and ’05, this trophy is awarded to the competitor in the meeting whose performance
is adjudged to be the most meritorious having regard to the competitors seniority of
age.
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To qualify for the Senior TT, machines must comply as such -TT Superbike, Supersport
Junior and Superstock both the latter without limitation of tyre choice. Other machines
may be, however admitted at the discretion of the Organisers which was the case with
the French Voxans last year. Although competitors must enter the event in the normal
manner, the Organisers reserve the right to invite other competitors to take part based on
performances during the meeting.
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The Isle of Man Branch is looking for more members to attend its meetings; if you have
got time to become more involved in club activities on the Island contact Brian Rostron
on [01624 862011]. We are hopeful of a second branch opening in the IoM, based in the
Sulby area with sidecar driver Nicky Crowe at the helm.
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Anyone thinking of attending the Skerries 100
event this year should remember to include
the Thursday night in their visit. After the Parade around the original 7 mile circuit, most
riders and crews start their race weekend celebrations by attending the annual TTSC
night out in the Michael Collins pub. In the past there has been some great bands and
more recently road racing slide shows from award winning photographer Stephen Davison.
As is always said on the night, “there are no strangers here, only like minded road racing
friends that have not met yet”. Many great friendships have been forged in the past on
this memorable night. There is no cover fee just a bucket collection during the evening for
the TTSC and all are welcome to join in on the Craic!.
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Colour plates this year are thus – Superbike
-white, Superstock -red and Supersport -
blue. During the Senior TT plates must bear the colours appropriate to the class of the
motorcycle. For those experiencing difficulty in identifying sidecars, their plates have a red
back ground. According to the Regulations, number plates have to provided by the competitors
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There appears to be greater structure to
pre-race examinations for TT 2006 with time
bands being allocated according to start number with those bearing higher numbers
being required for examination first.
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The Organisers are quite clear in their intentions
with respect to verification of
machines…”the MMCC reserves the right to examine any motorcycle that has started in a
practice or race, and for this purpose, to impound it and retain it in official custody for as
long as may be required. In the Superstock and Supersport Races a dynometer will be
used to check power output. Motorcycles must be submitted for these checks no later
than noon on Wednesday 31st May. At least the first three machines, together with class
winning machines in each race plus up to three at random as selected by the Technical
Steward will be required to undergo a post-race dynometer check and may be stripped
for Technical examination. Fuel samples will be taken, fuel tanks measured and weights
checked.” Post race dismantling will begin within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the
garlanding ceremony or as soon as the engine is cold enough.
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The Steam Packet Co. has stated that fuel may only be carried in the tanks of machines;
cans/barrels will not be allowed. Spot checks will be carried out and anyone found in contravention
of this ruling will not be permitted passage to the Island. Anyone wishing to import
fuel into the Isle of Man should contact: Trading Standards Division, Office of Fair
Trading, Lord St, Douglas Tel: +44 (0)1624 686520
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‘They died living their dream’…the fitting memorial to competitors who died in the TT and
MGP, as you know, is now in situ in Douglas Cemetery alongside the Start Line on Glencrutchery
Road. The TTSC made a donation of £500 to assist in its construction; if you
would like to make a further donation contact Wyn Evans at 3 Mount View Terrace, Onchan
[01624 622755]. No charge is being made to the relatives of competitors to have the memorial
bronze plaques placed in the wall.
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Extra vision for sidecars… one rear-facing mirror must be fitted on the fairing between
the front and sidecar wheel tracks to enable the driver to have a view of the passenger
and any machines approaching from the rear. External rear view mirrors having suitable dimensions
and mountings are mandatory.
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