The Place

Linds wrote:How many times is this now?? I'm starting to lose count

The trouble is Linds he's a 14 times TT winner and is getting no recognition because he's on a sidecar!! Rob Fisher had similiar trouble when he raced and eventually gave up...

Everyone knows about Molys ups and downs but he's still a hell of rider. On that video through Bagarrow he was miles quicker than everyone else! Thats not being disrespectful others just that he stood out...

Belly wrote:

Linds wrote:How many times is this now?? I'm starting to lose count

The trouble is Linds he's a 14 times TT winner and is getting no recognition because he's on a sidecar!! Rob Fisher had similiar trouble when he raced and eventually gave up...

Everyone knows about Molys ups and downs but he's still a hell of rider. On that video through Bagarrow he was miles quicker than everyone else! Thats not being disrespectful others just that he stood out...

Yeah but it doesn't matter how many times he's won, why does he keep announcing his retirement and then not sticking to it.

And if it's recognition he's after then he's in the wrong sport

Its a bit like Status Quo doing their 14th farewell tour

Dont worry Linds. He has recognition by the bucket loads, its money he needs. Before you reply, how would your team feel if they had won the TT once, never mind 14 times and still be out of pocket. I obviously dont know how much Dave has been paid over the years but I know it wont be anywhere near the "talk". I do know exactly what Rob Fisher was paid each year. There was one occassion after he had won 6 TTs when I advised Rob to tell them where to stick it. He did . The reply was that they hoped he may come back in the future.

Geoff your forgetting something, our team has won the TT, it may not have been Simon (his time has yet to come) but our team is brought about by the TT sidecar lap record holder who was also left out of pocket at the end of every year.

Your team is the business Linds ,Simon and Dips are as good as any. However its the Driver that is paid the start money on his past performances. There isnt (or wasnt) the vast amounts of money around that people talk about. Simon will win over there very soon , then youll see what I mean. To have won it 14 times and have to put a second hand chassis together (which Moly did this year I believe) must be very frustrating. As a driver Dave is light years ahead of anyone around the TT at present. I would like to see him give it another go (if he can) and go out with a win, or two. I know Nick had the better of Moly in his last year and he is one of the greats of recent times along with Rob and Dave, so please dont think Im putting nick down.

linds,please stop MUD SLINGING ,the mans a legend,and i wish him the very best in what ever direction he takes to retire is a very big decision,and sometimes hard to accept,then sometimes the powers of persuation are hard to ignore, his TT record is second to none,and will be hard to beat,we all know he's had troubles in the past,but i wish to remember moly for his 'on track' efforts and his superb efforts in helping sidecars, at the TT, get noticed.How many riders have won TT's and set lap records on totaly homebuilt machines ? that alone is TOTAL respect,Goodluck mate

I'm not mud slinging, I'm simply expressing my opinion which I am well within my right to do. My point is that it's not the first time he has announced his retirement...and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.

Some things happen so often they become a tradition... so maybe that's how we should regard it! Although, I think he means it this time... got other fish to fry.

I personally think you've expressed you opinion enough!!
Have you heard it from Dave himself?? if not I wouldn't listen & bite to hear say.

And now please keep calm all.. normally stuff about Dave gets pulled early on but we let this run. We all know Dave doesn't like being talked about behind his back and so far this has been very civil hence letting it go with him not here to say his own piece.
Ian stop the wind up mate please, ta! Linds rip into him by PM and if it's really good PM it to me and I'll put it on the front

It was announced on Manx radio that Dave had said he was retiring from the text I received from Mick Lines at the time, let's not let this turn this away from the original topic please. Thanks all.

Hi Guys, defo not getting involved in the politics here. Although this thread is about Dave, it's also about the things we all stand for in the Sidecar racing fraternity, and that’s recognition !

My summary of the situation was only my personal opinion, albeit following recent conversations with Dave himself. Supported by Geoff, who in his own right knows a thing or two about being at the sharp end of the TT.

So let me put it another way, as I see it, Dave has not retired from the TT, he’s just had enough of being undervalued, especially by the organisers, and with 14 TT wins under his belt, who can blame him, as he has little or nothing to prove ! The amount of money being pumped into certain solo ‘stars’ and their entourages’, not to mention the VIP freebies, and extraneous “TT activities” is positively shameful !
They seem to have forgotten that a good percentage of visitors want to see the unique spectacle of the TT, things they can’t see every day on the open roads back home . . . . . cue Sidecars, the last bastion of pukka race machinery at the TT !!

As I said before “He still regards the TT as the Greatest Road Race in the world and I think that if somebody came up with a package commensurate with his ability, then he would be back like a shot” !! That’s not stating his retirement, just an attempt to level the playing field for our sport ! Something that all sidecar racers are striving for.

Written without prejudice. Wal

Wal wrote:Hi Guys, defo not getting involved in the politics here. Although this thread is about Dave, it's also about the things we all stand for in the Sidecar racing fraternity, and that’s recognition !

My summary of the situation was only my personal opinion, albeit following recent conversations with Dave himself. Supported by Geoff, who in his own right knows a thing or two about being at the sharp end of the TT.

So let me put it another way, as I see it, Dave has not retired from the TT, he’s just had enough of being undervalued, especially by the organisers, and with 14 TT wins under his belt, who can blame him, as he has little or nothing to prove ! The amount of money being pumped into certain solo ‘stars’ and their entourages’, not to mention the VIP freebies, and extraneous “TT activities” is positively shameful !
They seem to have forgotten that a good percentage of visitors want to see the unique spectacle of the TT, things they can’t see every day on the open roads back home . . . . . cue Sidecars, the last bastion of pukka race machinery at the TT !!

As I said before “He still regards the TT as the Greatest Road Race in the world and I think that if somebody came up with a package commensurate with his ability, then he would be back like a shot” !! That’s not stating his retirement, just an attempt to level the playing field for our sport ! Something that all sidecar racers are striving for.

Written without prejudice. Wal

Well said Wal.

If memory serves correctly Dave's last retirement (pre Kawasaki?) was on the stipulation that he had to at least break even.

The feller's got to make a living, and two weeks without work, engine breakages etc. and prize money that is pathetic (compared with the solo teams that are getting money pumped in by sponsors), it's a no brainer.

Best of luck Moly with whatever you decide to do.

I've read 2/3rds of the replys here, but can't be harris'd to read more, for my 2 pence worth, I think retirements a too Harsh a word to use I think a Sabbactical would sound better !! which would probably end , when a Fairy princess turns up with pots of Money for him to go Racing as he see's fit. i.e. properly.

At least by going classic racing he's not turning his back on everyone, and he's still doing it.

I just feel sorry for the people who will have to try and beat him on a classic.

People like Him, Brian, Eddy, Dick Hawes etc will never retire, they will just have longer gaps between race's.

Ah !!! now I know where the money is going ! “LEGENDARY RIDERS AND ICONIC MACHINES” !!!! …and that will cost …. ?????????
Although I hold the chosen actual riders in high esteem, it’s a shame that most of the “represented Legends” are no longer with us and a lot of the “Iconic Machines” are replicas, so where exactly is the money going ???

Cynical . . .Moi ….! Just a tad , but hey, we are in open silly season now!