MotoGP's Scott Redding will not appear in Friday's Isle of Man TT parade lap after describing the event as "like a death race" after two riders died....................could an alternative event not be created with a purpose built track?
1. The reason that Redding will not be there on Friday is that he wishes to honour his mentor and friend, the late Bob Price, in his own way. Many "professional" racers (notably Barry Sheene and "The Doc") have a similar viewpoint and a lot of the Manx based Moto GP riders (Crutchlow/ Toseland) would not consider entering.
2. Alternative....NO, you cannot recreate history and that is what the participants feel they are taking part in when competing or even just watching.
I left the IOM yesterday on the boat with some 250 bikers of all nationalities who went to watch just the practices, the Saturday race programme and to do the course on Mad Sunday as they could not get accommodation or make the necessary travel arrangements for the main week but all I spoke to said they would be there again next year and be exhorting their mates to come with them.
I also asked why they thought do people risk their lives on bikes in the race and during the whole "festival" and, almost to a man (and woman), they said it is because "it is there" and "it has to be done"!
Make no mistake, I believe that it is also past its sell by date with the advance on power (matched by similar advances in engine reliability and braking it has to be said) but I do feel that everyone, in terms of the TT and many other things, should be able to do what they want PROVIDED that:
- the maximum safety precautions that can be taken are taken, which they are;
- that the maximum health and safety considerations are put into effect, which they are;
- that everyone involved as racers, marshalls, and spectators are made aware of the risks, which they are;
- that everything from the road surface to traffic furniture is made as safe as possible, which they are (indeed the course roads stand as a beacon amongst the otherwise badly maintained roads in the IOM).
I like most, if not all, Manx people deeply feel for the families of those deprived of their loved ones BUT there are so many comments from those very same relatives who say that he/she died doing what they wanted and they would not have had it any other way........
I applaud all that participate...even if I think they are totally mad, I applaud their loved ones who "allow" them to take part, I respect the freedom to allow people to risk their lives..............I just would not want to do it myself or allow any of MY loved ones to do it, and if they did, support them doing it!
Ban it..................I would be the first at the barricades as I would for any attempt to ban the Pamplona bull run, the Mexican Cliff Diving etc etc!
