On Fri, 4 May 2001, Tom Sheraden wrote:
> Hmmm, could be a good thing. Isn't this the event from
> which AMA pulled sanction because it's so ridiculously
> dangerous? My in-laws live along the race course for
> the TT, so I've driven it quite a lot. Absurdly narrow
> roads, acute bends, and your only run-off is a stone
> wall topped by an oak tree. OUCH! It's incredible, but
> I think the racers AVERAGE about 120mph on the course.
> I love fast riding, but you couldn't get me on that
> course at race time for love or money.
I understand those who argue that the IoM TT is dangerous, but I also
respectfully disagree that it's too dangerous to continue. Another
perspective:
First, close, but FIM, not AMA. The inclusion of the TT in the world GP
championship was cancelled, due largely to rider protests. I can agree
with that position. The race is inordinately dangerous, and no one should
be REQUIRED to participate as a condition of employment. That was the
essential argument made, I agree, and no, it's not part of FIM sanctioned
GP races and never again will be.
However, there's an entirely different question involved here. Should
amateur racers, and willing spectators, be prohibited from participation
through the rather draconian means of cancelling the event? I say no.
Anyone who would like to be a part of this great (and historically
significant) race should be allowed to do so, voluntarily.
In June, 1994, Mark Farmer was one of the TT fatalities, during a practice
ride on the Britten V-twin. Jack Ward, a former TT rider and Manx GP
rider was the Clerk of Course that year, and was asked by a journalist if
the race should be banned because of the inordinate risk. I think his
answer, which I've transcribed from the Duke Video coverage of the 1994
TT, pretty well sums up my views and the views of many. So I quote, at
length:
"We deeply regret any accident....it does affect us and we have to stop
and think, are we doing the right thing in organizing the event.....and
you've got to rationalize your thoughts and fortunately I did race for
seventeen years. And I knew at the time nothing would stop me from doing
it. Nothing.
"People race motorbikes initially for personal pleasure. I know money
comes into it later in your career, but you set off for personal pleasure.
And it's like all risk sports, whether it be climbing Mt. Eiger, or hang
gliding, or whatever. And we are selfish. But fortunately we have got
men with courage who like a challenge and that is why they enjoy this long
road course. And I'll just add to that, no course in the world will give
a rider more pleasure once he's learned it than this TT course.
"The TT will go on as long as the riders want it to go on. And we don't
put it on for us. This race is organized for the competitors. And once
the competitors tail off, of course the TT is gone. But that's not going
to happen.
"It will be a sad day when we breed people who don't want to take a risk.
Then the world will just go backwards. I'm not talking about just racing
motorbikes. People who take risks in life and enjoy it as a challenge do
it for personal pleasure. And as regards for everything else, the
pleasures far outweigh the risks, that much applies to all risk sports."
In my opinion, he said it well.
My personal view, then?
I take the view that throwing a leg over a motorcycle is inherently risky,
and if we take the view that the IoM has no business continuing, then it's
a very short step down the slippery slope to the banning of motorcycles
entirely. I say let the TT go on.
Lord, protect me from the people who want to protect me from me.
Phil
