[ZoomaFoo]

You should find lots of useful info about transportation and accommodations on the official web site: www.iomtt.com (accommodations are posted on the message board).

I've never been, but my uncle went every year when he was growing up in Ireland. He never raced the TT, but wrenched for friends who did.

I've got every TT since '97 on tape or DVD, and to me, it's the ultimate motorcycle racing event, and my goal is to race there one day. There's the TT for pro racers in May-June, but there's also the Manx Grand Prix for amateur racers in late August-early September. I hope to do the Manx within the next few years, provided I can secure the required funds and gain the necessary race experience to qualify. Even if I ever had the skill to be a successful AMA, WSB or MotoGP racer (which I highly doubt:laughing ), my window of opportunity would have closed on those dreams years ago. Racing at the Isle of Man is still something I have a realistic shot at doing, as Canadian Mark Gardiner proved when he did the TT at age 47 in 2002 (as documented in the film, One Man's Island).

 

[ZoomaFoo]

Lucky lucky. Definitely my favorite race out of any of them and I hope to give it a try one day. You in Mel?

Absolutely, Rob. Like I said, I've got to dust off my skills, get back on the track and rack up some race miles again, etc., but it's definitely a must-do for me. Let's keep in touch about it.

 

[ZoomaFoo]

As a racer at the TT you get to do all the things that would get you locked up anywhere else.
Flat out in top gear through villages and there's terrifiying humps in the road where the front wheel just goes flying. Somehow these humps don't appear at normal traffic speeds when the road's open. There used to be a part where top gear could be held for 6 miles.
I got around at 111 mph and change in 1988 on an FZR 1000. The lap record back then was 116 or so, set on a works Honda. I'd really like to do it again on an R1, I'd also like to be 20 years younger and not have had 13 broken bones.
It's a huge course to learn. You need to be there weeks in advance, just riding around on the road to gain circuit knowledge. Forgetting where a bump, a shady damp area or manhole cover is can be fatal. It takes 4 years to start going fast. Two to know where you're going and two to put it together. Take a 600 and aim for a 110 mph lap on the first visit.

Sir, you have my respect. Thank you for the good information and advice (and for not trying to dissuade us...). We must meet and chat sometime. Tonight I just re-read a great Cycle World article from 1987, about associate editor Steven Thompson's achievement of a 101 mph lap in the Production TT that year. At the time, Joey Dunlop won with an average of 118 mph, a speed now almost attained by the winner of the latest Manx GP Newcomer race, while this year John McGuinness re-set the outright lap record at 129 mph -- unbelieveable.

 

[ZoomaFoo]

If you can behave yourself I don't mind sending you out on the mighty TL for a few sessions next year. Just let me know.

Rob, that would be fantastic, thank you. I promise to be on my best behaviour.:angel

 

[ZoomaFoo]

Passing Ian Lougher and Phil Read Jr on the outside of the 33rd milestone...

Anyone who has passed Ian Lougher anywhere, on any track, has my respect. In practice for the 2005 TT, Guy Martin said Lougher had passed him so quickly out on the course that Lougher's bike was "sucking rabbits out of the hedges."

 

[ZoomaFoo]

everyone that appreciates bike/biking/racing should go to the IOM at least once.

Absolutely. I used to think that just visiting it would be enough, but then I got this crazy notion that I wanted to race there, which has since become a promise to myself.

 

[ZoomaFoo]

I had the pleasure of talking to Signpost on the phone today, and after our conversation I'm even more keen to do the IOM. So much for talking me out of it, eh?

We'll have to get together with Rob soon, over a few pints of Guinness, and talk some more about it.
:drinkbeer

 

[ZoomaFoo]

Signpost, you have a new avatar, I see, which appears to be a nice shot of you out on the Mountain Course on your FZR1000, yes? Now we just have to figure out what section... I'll say either it's taken at the Creg, Signpost or the Nook... any of those right, Gary?

 

[ZoomaFoo]

If you have the chance to run the mountain course do it.

Believe me, I'll do my best to give it a go!:thumbup