When will the list of restricted areas be published for this years TT? More to the point why hasn't it been published yet? It is way overdue? I heard yesterday that it is not going to be make good reading.

On a brighter note - new chief marshal assinged!

Well at least from a Safety point of view for all concerned and attending this years races it may be a good idea to publish it sooner rather than later

I have been to many spots on the TT course, and found many to be dodgy. Take Rhencullen for instance. The place is jammed with hundreds of spectators. You have all seen how the top men come through out of Kirkmichael, past the 30mph sign on the back wheel and cranked over. Spectacular. But the TV doesn't show the less experienced men coming through, and I can tell you that some day a rider will lose it into that bank taking a large chunk out of that crowd with him. It's as hairy as the bottom of Barregarrow, and that's banned. Use your heads when you get there and stay safe.

Hi Eddie - Glad I got through to you all those years ago about Rhencullen

Larry D

Jasus Larry. I must be gettin mellow in my old age.

Totally agree guys. Rhencullen looks fantastic on DVD but that's as close as I have ever wanted to get!

I think the really annoying thing is being treated like mushrooms- being kept in the dark and fed excrement!? On one hand the organisers' line is that there will be "No dramatic change to TT viewing areas" while on the other we keep getting drip fed rumours. I have seen postings on another site from the man who purports to own Glen Mooar saying it is prohibited this year and others making comments like it will be very difficult to watch anywhere between Ballacraine and Glen Helen, which if true is hardly "No dramatic change to TT viewing areas."

To be honest the first thing we're gonna do off the boat is scoot round and take a look. Call me a Doubting Thomas but it's getting to the stage that until I've seen it with my own eyes...I'm sure any of you boys over for practice week will keep us well posted tho

I don't think the section of Rhencullen you refer to is that bad. All you have to do is take a step backwards and you will be OK? I could give you a long list of far more dangerous allowable vantage points.

As far as the Black Dub is concerned, this was my reply to the landowner:

Poshboy,

Can i firstly say thank you for letting me, my family and my friends spectate on your land next to the tea rooms since you took the site over. This is without doubt our favourite vantage point on any road racing course. I am saddened that we will no longer be able to spectate from this position but I also fully understand why you have had to take such a decision. Hopefully one day we will once again enjoy the spectacle and hospitable tea rooms on race days.

It sounds as though most of the restricted areas in place at the Manx Grand Prix in 2007 will remain and this will somewhat dissappoint returning TT fans. Pauline, the section you are referring to, Gorse Lea, has had a fence constructed just prior to the B road which will restrict any vantage point. As for the wall after the cottage, I suppose it's up to the landowner.

A sensitive subject. I say this with some despair, but if these issues are not addressed promptly, i feel it could spell the end of road racing on the Isle of Man.

Ben Oates wrote:

QUOTE:
I don't think the section of Rhencullen you refer to is that bad. All you have to do is take a step backwards and you will be OK? I could give you a long list of far more dangerous allowable vantage points. [/i]

I remember distinctly standing on the bank with my right foot on the wire fence ready jump down into the field if need be. The guys further down the bank had no such option. However Ben, you obviously haven't been involved in a high-speed incident. If you were, you would know that even if your eyes are glued to the road at all times, (impossible at the TT) the action unfolds indescribably quickly, and you would need to be an olympic athlete to stand any chance of avoiding it. Stay safe by being aware of where you spectate from.

Again I agree Ed- with bikes going at those speeds you would be just glued to the spot. The accident that sticks in my mind which really illustrated this was Paul Dedman coming off at Juniper Hill a few years ago. He high-sided at the bottom of the hill and the bike managed to collect two marshals at the very top of the hill. Looking at the distance it travelled you'd think they had plenty of time to move but they didn't.

Just to straighten a few things out here…

None of Rhen Cullen is completely safe, but then none of the 37.73 miles is completely safe. You could even fall down the stairs and the grandstand and break your neck! However, quite a lot of Rhen Cullen is safe - anywhere before the jump and around 50 yards after the house are fine. After that your are mad to sit there and both Ben and I never have. If that is all that is lost, fine and good – why would you sit in the firing line? However, I suspect the lot will be closed off.

The same is true of the Black dub. Just after the tea rooms for around 50-60 yards is fine but there is then a sliding scale of madness for those sitting any further around. Again, we have never sat towards the end because we have an element of self protection. But I am a bit pissed at being unable to sit in my usual safe spot towards the tea rooms. I have unfortunately seen more than one accident around there so I have some idea what I am talking about when I say ‘safe’.

The only thing the Paul Dedman crash proved is that those marshals were stood in a stupid place. It was a bit like being stood on the side of the tarmac at the exit of Clearways at brands – who on earth would stand there? Thank goodness they survived.

Larry, if you want to be 100% safe I would go watch your sport at the crucible. This isn’t safe – there are 100s of disclaimers around the course saying that so I don’t understand why this insurance liability point is an issue at all.

As far as I see, Moyle’s criticism of the organizers was that there should have been a prohibited area sign at the 26th milestone. OK, so go fix that problem and make sure a sign is put there. I don’t see the connection between Moyle’s verdict and increasing the number of prohibited areas. Surely on the basis of the verdict you would want to reduce the amount of prohibited areas not increase them.

The liability should be on the fans. If you want to stand in a stupid are that is up to you, but you probably will get hit and it will be your fault.

There is one place that I consider to be the best place on the TT course to spectate. It is far more dangerous to watch there than at any point at Rhen Cullen or Black Dub. But I’ll bet my mortgage on it not being prohibited because it is virtually unknown. I’m not watching at Quarter Bridge or the Grandstand so I guess I am forced to spectate from more dangerous places – bit silly that.

The good news is that there will be more marshals as a result of this but is that really a reason to sign up?