Here is the info on the start list.. http://www.crash.net/road-racing/news/201277/1/mcguinness-to-lead-tt-charge-from-the-front.html Ron
Cool seeing a sponsor like Valvoline on the bikes! Bruce is one of my all time favorites. Dude is so laid back and as fast as any of them when he is on. http://www.closer2thehedge.com/new-...nesss-padgetts-hondas-as-valvoline-join-team/
Most deff re Bruce and he is a Cancer beater, that may explain why he is so fast and focused= when is awake of course haha Nothing ventured nothing gained
I cannot call a favorite this year at all. This kid Dean Harrison though has been quietly knocking on the door of the top guys. He's about the right age and number of races to be a surprise if he is on a good bike. I've heard you guys say it takes years to nail this course.
3 max these days mate compared to when I started in 1991, the track and terain has changed so much. The only favourite really is John M apart from about 5 other serious serious door knockers. A lot of it is about NOT having any bad luck.
I'm always rooting for the soft-spoken guys that talk with their twist grip- Bruce epitomizes that. So cool.
Rolling up in it here soon, boys! The team I was set up to pit for (James Edmeades) had to pull out for lack of finances....back to square 1 for me- if you guys know of anyone needing a good set of wrenching hands, let me know. Or just general assistance- I just want to stay busy in the pit!
James isn't racing?? I wasn't aware of that news...how'd you get sorted with helping him? Shoot me a PM and we may be able to use you for our team.
Got in contact with his team manager through the TT forums. I didn't mean to break news for him, as I don't think he's publicly announced it yet, we've just been in touch talking about possible Manx stuff....haha so between you, me, and the beebs.
So I'm continuing to look at next year. I see that ferry bookings start the Monday of practice each year. I have a link to Steam Packet to book and I see there are 3 ports from Ireland and 3 from the UK. I just have a few questions that someone here might be able to answer. Is there only one ferry company to the island? Any opinions on which port is the best to leave from? Is it recommended to catch a train from London to one of the port cities? What are the preferred days/times to arrive on the Island? Is flying easier? It looks like most of the flights are similar to Ferry routes. The only flight that would be more convenient is BA which flies from London city. Anything else I would have to find transportation to the port city from probably London, which is likely where I'll be flying into from the US It has been suggestion to spend the whole two weeks there, but I'm thinking if I take 2 weeks off, I'd like to spend time before or after visiting other parts. Anyone go for the whole two weeks. Is there anything better about also being there for practice week? Anyone have thoughts about renting a MC for the weekend to get around the island? Is that a pain with the international license or the crowds? Thanks in advance
Steampacket is it for the ferry. Where are you coming from? That will dictate which flights are available. In my case, from Dulles, I flew into Paris then to Manchester, then to IOM. On the way back I went into Birmingham then to Paris. This made more since than even flying into Ireland. At least when I was looking for flights there weren't many if any from London to IOM. I went over for the Manx, I don't know if they add flights for the TT. The turboprops to the island fly out of the smaller airports. Availability would be the biggest issue with renting a street bike.
RWDFUN, I have only been once and will answer as best I can. We started planning in August and could not find any rooms for race week so we were there for practice week and one race day. The owners of the B&B, the Heathers in Ramsey actually slept on their couch and we stayed in their room the last night just so I could see a race. Incredible people. If you are taking a wife, or gf Ramsey was great, alot less crazy. The public transit was the way to go, get a weeks pass and sit back. Riding around during the TT would be iffy, lots of traffic and the police are out too. We flew in from Dublin, once again by August the ferry had sold out. Touring Ireland was pretty good also. If you have time stay the two weeks, tour the entire island and talk to the locals, especially the little old ladies at the bus stop, funny as hell. I would stay the rest of my life there if I could.
I understand this is last second, but I'm throwing it out just in case... I have one round trip ticket in the premium cabin on the Steam Packet departing Belfast on May27th, returning to Dublin on June 3rd. My girlfriend was planning to make the trip with me, but had to bail due to an issue at her firm. The ticket is free if someone can use it.
Steam Racket....err I mean Steam Packet provides full refunds 99% of the time. Not to take away from a free ticket for anyone but you should have no problem getting your money back.
I had a hell of a time trying to get a refund when I decided to fly in rather than take the ferry. They eventually wore me down, and I gave up. -jim
