TT

What does the TT mean to you? Why is it so special?

I am a 'TT stopover' who came to watch the races in 1975 and never went home again! Before then I had worked in motorcycle shops, as ad-man at Motorcycle Sport magazine, and a despatch rider in London.

You used to be a race mechanic. How important is a good mechanic to a rider in the race?

A methodical mechanic is required, especially for the Island races. Better to have one man in sole control, than a team, one of which might overlook an essential item. A calm mechanic is also a great asset; when I rode in the Manx Grand Prix I had a top-class rider as a mechanic , but his nervousness as race day grew nearer was a trifle upsetting!

How does today's TT compare to the races of the past?

I find the current races disappointing. Close your eyes and you cannot tell which race is going on, every race is full of UJM (Universal (four-cylinder) Japanese Machines. Very few twins, no two-strokes (with one exception this year), the TT lacks the diversity of the Manx Grand Prix with its Classic and Lightweight classes.

What is you favourite TT moment from years gone by?

1978 Senior Manx Grand Prix

Too many to choose from! Being a mechanic for Ray Knight on the Le Mans start for the Production Race but I was so nervous I nearly dropped the Tiger 100. The bike was an oil-burner, my job at the pit stop was to pass Ray the filler, then run round and empty a quart oil can into the oil tank, he finished with just smoke in the tank!; Sitting at Glen Helen in 1960 when Mike Hailwood (125 Ducati) came into view and slid to earth (heroes weren't supposed to do that!). Again, sitting in the churchyard one cold morning practice, we heard a multi set off, down Bray Hill, round Quarter Bridge and braking for Braddan, suddenly - silence followed by a whooshing noise as Mike the Bike and Honda 6 came into view on their sides! Mike Hailwood again, shaking his head as he came round Ramsey hairpin on the last lap of the 1979 Classic TT, which Mike lost by a scant three seconds, he knew he could not match the pace of Alex George, a man who broke the hearts of millions of TT fans that day.

What will you be doing at this year's event?

We will be preparing the results book for publication as soon as possible after the event. Meeting old friends and making new ones from all over the world. Assisting Simon Crellin, the Press Officer with photo requests. We have recently published a book 'The History of the Clubman's TT 1947-1956' with Fred Pidcock, so will be meeting journalists to spread the word.

When did your vast photo collection start?

About ten years ago; I was aware that one of the TT collections had ever been catalogued so offered my services. As word spread about the cataloguing and archiving service, more and more collections have come under the control of FoTTofinder Bikesport Archives.

What is it about the IOM and the TT which has kept you on the Isle of Man?

So many friends, the more you get to know about this place, the bigger it becomes, and there is always someone to share their knowledge with, be it TT racing or Manx history and folklore - hope I have a life sentence here!

Who is your TT hero?

It must be Mike Hailwood. When living in Mitcham, Surrey I use to cycle the 15 miles or so to Brands Hatch to see Mike dice with and generally beat the best British riders of the day irrespective of class. It was rare for Mike not to win at least two of the four classes he rode in, beating the likes of Derek Minter, Bob McIntyre, Alan Shepherd etc. I would also pay tribute to 'the voice of the TT' the late Peter Kneale, Manx Radio's commentator who I worked with on two books, one of life's gentlemen, he is sadly missed by the massed ranks of TT followers.

What does it take to be a top TT rider like McGuinness?

The ability to dial into the special and ever-changing race conditions that the Mountain circuit throws at the riders. On short-circuit John is not top-dog, but put him on the Mountain and that man is world class.

Why is the TT such a special event for the IOM and people around the world?

It is more than a race meeting, it is a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts to eat, drink and sleep their chosen hobby. This week we have met fans from New Zealand, Japan, Finland, Canada, India and so on. Some are ex-riders that are making a nostalgic trip back, one is a seasoned veteran of 60 years as a spectator without a break (he even came to the Island for a day when the foot and mouth outbreak cancelled the racing in 2000!). Others have been swept up in the passion that is the Jubilee TT2007.

Is the TT a good or a bad thing for the IOM?

Ask a Manxie, he will say yes, ask a finance sector 'newbie' and he will say no! Many years ago, the TT provided a good income for the many boarding houses, restaurants and shops. Nowadays, someone sitting at a computer in a finance house can quadruple that figure with the flick of keyboard key. The Manx are now a minority in their homeland and so many of the new residents take exception to the disruption that the TT brings to their adopted home; they lose their pubs, clubs restaurants and girlfriends for a fortnight!