2011 TT

[Hayley]

Ferry's the same an weather can b worse believe me... last yr it was like a river runnin throu the paddock an got hardly ne track time through out the whole fortnight, race cut an some even cancelled, hardly anythin went to plan last yr..
I dont think they should b moved an even if they wanted to move them 2 the manx, how the hell would they have track time there.... there are 10+ classes at the MGP where the hell would they fit the sidcars in....

[oldbelly]

Sidecars wont be at the Manx. The club has never wanted them in the past ( Jack Woods own words) and as Hayley said they havent the room. Anyway its the TT thats in dire straights not the Manx.

[Eddy Wright]

Maybe they will move them to Billown.

[G JONES]

Maybe they will move them to Billown.

Ah yes "down to Billown" - of course it would still be a proper TT Race ? - Right ? ?

[Paul Phillips]

Hello

I've just read this message thread for the first time all the way through and would like to put a couple of points on record if I may to clear up one or two misconceptions and to provide some other information for consideration. I may not be able to reply in timely manner as I have a personal matter to deal with at present and will be out of the office for the forseeable future so please excuse me in advance.

1) There are no plans by the TT organisers to scrap the sidecar class. The race classes are decided by the Department of Economic Development (DED) not ACU Events Ltd. I can say this with some confidence as the lead individual in producing the race programme and classes.
2) I am pretty confident that some of the understanding of the financial matters relating to the TT are misunderstood. Matters such as appearance fees and travel allowances and the criteria on which they are awarded are explained in detail in the regulations. Some may not agree with the criteria, but this falls directly out of the Department's Council of Ministers policy for motorsport. It is easy to forget that the Department is not a race organiser or a motorcycle club promoting its event like would normally be the case. It is a public sector organisation trying to secure the maximum economic and reputational benefit from its investment.
3) There is no desire to take track time from the sidecars to give it to solos. In fact this year track time was given to the sidecar class from the solo class during qualifying.
4) Free fuel, free boats, free tyres... all great ideas but it can't be ignored that somebody somewhere will have to pay for this. You may not know that the Isle of Man is in the midst of something akin to the biggest financial crisis in its history at present due to the changes in the VAT sharing agreement with the UK Government, and public spending is being rapidly reduced, therefore don't expect the TT budget to grown anytime soon to cover such additions.
5) There are issues to be addressed in the sidecar community with regards to their behaviour in and around the event. Over the past two years there has sadly been a significant increase of occasions where the conduct of sidecar competitors and members of their teams has been inappropriate. This has included inappropriate behaviour in and around the paddock which have sometimes a) put the personal safety of other paddock users at risk and b) been the subject of potential criminal investigations. In addition there have been instances where serious breaches of the event regulations have occurred, representatives have been found to be drunk in restricted pass holder areas and there have been instances voluntary members of the organising team have been verbally abused and threatened. None of this does anything for the reputation of the sidecar community. Whilst the good reputation of the community is being tarnished by a minority, there has been significantly more of these kinds of issues than there has with the solo competitors and I urge those involved to help everyone involved by trying to improve in this area.

E-mail me to talk TT anytime at paul.phillips@gov.im. For the time being I might not get back to you as quickly as normal for the reasons outlined above, but I'm committed to the future success of the TT and the future success of sidecar racing at the TT and I am very happy to listen.

Regards

Paul

[steve-e]

Tiptop Paul. I would say that pretty much covers it all.
I would love to come back with a devil's advocate response for the sake of it but I believe it would be pointless. In Bob's words, I take my coat from the hanger and leave satisfied with the respected member's summary of the last 9 pages

[Bob B]

Many thanks Paul for your post which both explains and and clears matters.

[Eddy Wright]

Thats really good Paul, But what do suggest we do to increase the entry's, and the profile of the sidecars ?

[Beryl]

5) There are issues to be addressed in the sidecar community with regards to their behaviour in and around the event. Over the past two years there has sadly been a significant increase of occasions where the conduct of sidecar competitors and members of their teams has been inappropriate. This has included inappropriate behaviour in and around the paddock which have sometimes a) put the personal safety of other paddock users at risk and b) been the subject of potential criminal investigations. In addition there have been instances where serious breaches of the event regulations have occurred, representatives have been found to be drunk in restricted pass holder areas and there have been instances voluntary members of the organising team have been verbally abused and threatened. None of this does anything for the reputation of the sidecar community. Whilst the good reputation of the community is being tarnished by a minority, there has been significantly more of these kinds of issues than there has with the solo competitors and I urge those involved to help everyone involved by trying to improve in this area.

I will no doubt be shot down in flames for this post, but hey I'm brave, I think !!
Most of the teams attending last years TT are aware of the serious problem regarding the cutting of a power line, but apart from that incident I am unaware of anything else, this year or last. I had hoped someone would have come on and informed us of the facts (NOT the myths). If there are team members/riders acting in such a way to bring disrepute the reputation of the sidecar community, I feel we need to be informed so we can try and rectify things. It could well be that the "offenders" concerned are not even aware their behaviour is causing problems.

[custardchucker]

5) There are issues to be addressed in the sidecar community with regards to their behaviour in and around the event. Over the past two years there has sadly been a significant increase of occasions where the conduct of sidecar competitors and members of their teams has been inappropriate. This has included inappropriate behaviour in and around the paddock which have sometimes a) put the personal safety of other paddock users at risk and b) been the subject of potential criminal investigations. In addition there have been instances where serious breaches of the event regulations have occurred, representatives have been found to be drunk in restricted pass holder areas and there have been instances voluntary members of the organising team have been verbally abused and threatened. None of this does anything for the reputation of the sidecar community. Whilst the good reputation of the community is being tarnished by a minority, there has been significantly more of these kinds of issues than there has with the solo competitors and I urge those involved to help everyone involved by trying to improve in this area.

I will no doubt be shot down in flames for this post, but hey I'm brave, I think !!
Most of the teams attending last years TT are aware of the serious problem regarding the cutting of a power line, but apart from that incident I am unaware of anything else, this year or last. I had hoped someone would have come on and informed us of the facts (NOT the myths). If there are team members/riders acting in such a way to bring disrepute the reputation of the sidecar community, I feel we need to be informed so we can try and rectify things. It could well be that the "offenders" concerned are not even aware their behaviour is causing problems.

--
I did see a couple of instances where there was 1 or 2 people 'well on their way' in the holding area and had alcohol with them (well they did until one of the women fell over and spilt it!), and their behaviour was commented on by several other crews, one of which even said at the time that it was giving sidecars a bad name.

Do people know who to go to if they see anything like this happen?

Would it help if a Riders Liaison officer was appointed for the sidecar class, similar to Milky and John Barton in the solo's (or is there one already?)?

[oldbelly]

There always was a sidecar riders rep up until the Manx club took over.

[kew]

If we have teams giving the rest of us a bad name then:
1 Why have they not been named?
2 Why were they not sent home and refused an entry in future?

My team likes a drink but when it comes to the racing we take it seriously.

We need information!!!!!!

[Helen Gibson]

Since it seems too late to do anything about 2010, how about a sidecar rep for 2011, and agree ground rules, which we will then abide by. Those who don't would be dealt with by the TT authorities. We need clarity in all these thingsas in the issues raised elsewhere this year. Old practices and procedures which are not clear and accountable should be changed. Fun's fun but to hell with nonsense!

[Mart6]

The sidecar future a numpties view

Think you guys here are the ones that will save it or its gonna break.
Everything has already been said
1 Cost get some low cost entry level for youngsters that’s a must imo.
From my own personal experience if you actually know it exists its easy to get addicted.

2 Needs high profile and sponsorship more tv air time ect
more publicity ,prize money which in turn will stop youngsters/people choosing a
more profitable form of motorsport ie bikes cars

3 Sort costs now not next year or after three years arguing before its to late
main probs I see, and imo I am less involved in racing so I don’t have a vested
Intrest as most racers do its human nature
Surely all the top riders that get prize money appearance money ect
Have a vested interest to keep it that way , they must surely realize if it continues
And entries fall ie tt sooner or later no competitors no racing = no money anyway.

Stop pussy footing about esp with F2 enginge thing get them on standard engines asp
I was in mates dyno other day 09 kawasaki 600 standard trim 124 bhp
All this tuned engine thing is to give sponsored guys a advantage imo poor joe average

How can they keep competing by turning up entry fees ect cart pay all costs have 3 tuned motors
motec,new tyres , so less competition. Top few teams stay at top always will be.
Ive heard all excuses blah blah
Ill give a example let F2 sidecars run standard 750 engines power commander blah blah
In a year or two everyone will be able to have say 3 engines at less cost so maybe more entries
Top teams wont be able to use power loss less excitement excuse. Joe public will be
able to go club racing or to tt with a real chance of winning ? more entries i at least have a chance
of winning.
Itl never happen because the top teams love it the way it is.

Same Appearance fees to everyone that goes, half race gets £xxxxx everyone that finishes gets £xxxx
Encourage more chassis builders ie prize money for best (most wins)low volume chassis builder,
It will encourage more people to try new ideas and keep costs down more competition stops
Monoply which always means price control fact. Look at cost of F1 side cars since terry retired

Ok back to work

[bruce moore]

i think the paddock brake is suppose to represent a conventional outfit,blah,blah !!!!