Hawaiibusa mentioned the name of David Jeffries who was killed in a very bad accident last year at the TT.
His bike - a Gixer 1000 - went on to smash down a telephone pole and it left the wiring hanging across the road(circuit). Jim Moodie, a pretty fair Scots rider arrived at the scene, slowing slightly but the wires still ripped over his bikescreen and nearly decapitated him. Fortunately for him, the wire broke but the weal it left on his neck was horrific.
There are always US riders entered in the TT, its probably that they are not well known in the States. I see that someone called Monsanto from California is riding a MV in two or three races this year.
The ambience of the place, particularly Douglas promenade is fantastic throughout the fortnight (1st two weeks in June). Regardless of what the Jap factories say, they always want to do well at the TT as they know this will sell sports bikes in the UK and in some parts of Europe especially Germany.
I only wish I had gone there in the last Golden Period the mid 60s when it was all-out war between the factories in every class from 50cc upwards. I susequently met and helped sponsor one of my heroes of that era, Hugh Anderson, a Kiwi who won a couple of world titles in the 125cc class with Suzuki. But for me the greatest bike ever built is still the 6 cylinder Honda 250cc.
I used to live close to Brands Hatch (near London) and was fortunate to attend the Classic Festival put on there by John Surtees in the early 90s. there were 3 and 4 cylinder MVs, Benelli 4s and I think a Gilera and a near full set on Hondas 250 4s and 6s. However, I recall being at Brands in the mid 60s when standing about 3/4 of a mile away from the pits, I could hear Mike Hailwood blipping his 6....what a sound and of course it could only idle at 7,000 rpm!!!!!! Oh happy days.
One of the greatest duels in TT history is the race between Hailwood on the new but ill-handling Honda 500cc against Agostini on the MV 3. If you can get a copy of one of the many tapes DVDs on TT history, its always mentioned. Upshot was Ago was going to win when his chain snapped 10 miles out after 216 miles of racing.
cheers
Delboybusa
