Edscape,

I was involved in a pretty nasty incident at Greeba Bridge in the Junior Manx Grand Prix about 10 years ago where I was hit by a bike which came over the wall. We were lucky. It didn't stop us watching from that spot though, I watched the next lap stood on the very same brick. My choice. It wasn't a position I deemed particularly dangerous but watching motorsport is just that, dangerous.

I was also unfortunate enough to witness Paul's accident at Juniper. I thought the marshals who were injured were half way up Juniper, not up the top of the hill. Would I have stood where the marshals were stood? Absolutely no chance. Ludicrous comes to mind.

I'm not sure exactly what point you are trying to make but if you stop spectators watching from their favoured positions, for whatever reason, they are not going to attend. No spectators, no meeting.

Full list of prohibited areas available by clicking here.

Well I don't want to be too negative about the biggest event on the calendar, which is just around the corner, but I was rather dissappointed with the release of the prohibited areas.

I fully agree with some of them and I think on the whole, the highly dangerous areas were already prohibited. However, I noted a few more than 'one or two' additions. I had a PM asking for a list of additions in TT fans lingo, this is what I compiled. I might have a couple wrong and no doubt I have missed a few:

Glen Lough Campsite
Gorse Lea
Ballaspur/Ballig
Laurel Bank
Black Dub
Top of Barregarrow
Bottom of Barregarrow
IOM Bank (Kirk Michael)
Rhen Cullen (Part 2)
Alpine (I think)
Ballacrye (I think)
Entrance to Quarry Bends
Exit of Waterworks
Exit of Gooseneck (partially prohibited?)
On top of the wall at Hillberry
Exit of Signpost.

wuldnt it of been easier to release a list of places that arnt prohibited?

unfortunately not unexpected but nevertheless sad day for many fans.all favourites now outta bounds.
predict ALOT of very shocked and disapointed visitors too.

If only the mountain wasn't so cold and desolate. There are stacks of really good places to watch from. Get your thermals on and bring the thermos full of soup and a good radio. Enjoy.

The slightly annoying thing is that some of the places are not fully prohibited and unless you know house/road names and field boundaries it's very difficult to picture. Definitely needs a sighting lap.

my first reaction was that it didn't look too bad but as Phil say's the proof will be in the eating. To be honest reading it I had no idea where you could and couldn't sit. I predict quite a few arguments between fans and marshals as they debate whether they are 9 meters or 10 meters from the action.

I guess the big questions are: Even if areas are designated prohibited is it against the law to sit there? What would be the consequences of sitting there?

If the answer to these is no and you accept full liability then happy days, I always went to road racing on that assumption anyway.

This is as bad as it could have been. Or is it? I have no idea, it's too hard to read. Will have to do a sighting lap when i arrive.

It will have to be a slow lap on arrival to check out the good old fav spots.

If it as bad as they say it is, then (fair play with regard to safety reasons) but bad for race fans, and may turn many away for 2009.

Cheap shot Alan.

I don't play, nor indeed do I watch, snooker.

I have however had six MGP starts and seven at the TT, and it is on the strength of observations made during these that my opinion was formed regarding the left-hand bank at Rhencullen.

Those who sit there are well worth the attentions of the men in white coats.

Your comment about "stepping down/back" when necessary is noted, but when a 120mph missile is heading for you, you don't have the time.

You'll only get one chance to prove your theory, and I hope to God that you're proved right - an awful lot of people in various situations and locations have been proved wrong.

Too many of them are dead.

Larry Devlin