The Place

Hi All,

I am seriously considering coming over for the TT to learn as much as I can in preparation for a future return trip to enter the race. To that end I figure I would learn the most if I joined an existing team as crew. If any teams are interested then I would like to trade my time and effort for your help with logistics (and putting up with me asking lots of questions).

I will get myself to the Isle of Man (or England if you prefer help getting to the island) and then do what ever you need done to help the team for the duration of your TT campaign. I'll pay all my own transportation costs, crew entry fees and my share of any other costs you incur as a team (such as lodging, food, transport on the island). In return I would look to the team to arrange the crew pass, lodgings, transport on the island, etc.

I'm not picky for lodgings as long as I'm dry and there's a potty near by. I'm happy to sleep on a cot in your awning, the back of your van, a corner of the floor in someone's room, etc. If my flights require me to come or go a few days early/late I'll take care of my arrangements for those days.

I'm reasonable competent mechanically (don't usually break something more than once ) and work well under the direction of a good mechanic. I know my way around a sidecar. I'm also well versed in the use of stopwatches, cleaning rags, camp stoves and BBQs.

Let me know.

Chris

Kew has graciously offered to take me in (or was that corrupt me) during my TT visit. (The "all you need to bring is plenty of beer money" has me a little worried. )

I just finished booking my flights. Well that's a couple of hours of my life I'll never get back!

Apparently the IOM is some insignificant backwoods place that none of the major online travel routing engines have ever heard of. And when I phoned Expedia their first reaction was "you can't fly from Ottawa to IOM". After a little prodding ... apparently you can fly from Toronto to IOM at the guaranteed lowest price of $6138 return (about 4000 GBP).

If you want something done right, do it yourself. I now have two separate airline reservations (Ottawa-Gatwick return and Gatwick-IOM return). Apparently the only way to get from Ottawa to IOM is to fly 500 miles east to Toronto, then way too far west to Frankfurt, then back east to London and finally a little further east to IOM! Adding in extra time at Gatwick to collect my luggage, clear customs and ensure I make my flight with Flybe my total travel time will be 34 hours (plus the ride to the paddock).

I'm officially EXCITED now!

Looking forward to meeting many of you in person.

Chris

Check flights to Scotland, Glasgow International or glasgow prestwick, Im sure both go direct to canada, I can pick u up and take you to the Alcatraz,

have you had a look at manchester airport mate

I apologise in advance for Kew and co...

Jo Rowe wrote:I apologise in advance for Kew and co...

Lol great tent to learn "all the ropes" in

"All the ropes"? Had never realized that Keith was into Bondage

Welsh Daph wrote: "All the ropes"? Had never realized that Keith was into Bondage

Daphne I'll have to have a word with you next time I see you.

Well Keith, I've heard a bit about the things they get up to in Skewen

Hey Chris I assume that Keith has mentioned you become a member of
T.W.A.T. *

* Team Walters And Thomas.

Well this trip was planned a bit on the spur of the moment. Next time I return I'll do a little more pre-planning and solicit travel advice here before booking.

If I don't get the snot scared out of me on this visit, my plans are to acquire a TT compliant F2 in the next 12 to 24 months, spend a couple of seasons back home learning to drive it and then attempt to obtain an entry for the TT. It is a 4-5 year plan with a total budget likely to push $100,000.

Chris

Chris, i am sure when you get over to the I.O.M. you will find everyone most helpful and accomodating ,just take time to gloss over what has been said on here and you might find an easier way there, oh! and bring a welsh phrase book with you so that you can understand keith! as no bu***r else can apart from welsh Daph, hmm? look forward to meeting yer mate

Hi Chris

If you fancy a short break during all the chaos, we'd be very happy to have you come and marshal a session with us up at Tower Bends - I don't arrive until 2nd June (grumble grumble school half term should be two weeks grumble).

Anne

Hi Ann,

I figured by taking up residence in the paddock that various learning opportunities would present themselves. As long as kew doesn't have me swapping engines or something I'd be very happy to spend a day out on the course marshaling. I have some experience and training as I marshaled a few motorcycle/sidecar races back in 1986/87 (but I no longer have any documentation/proof). I also helped form a club that road raced 50cc bikes (in parking lots and on go-cart tracks) and ended up co-authoring the rule book and being the tech inspector/referee/starter for about a year and a half (at least the didn't make me flag the races I was entered in ).

Chris

ChrisWells wrote:Hi Ann,

As long as kew doesn't have me swapping engines or something I'd be very happy to spend a day out on the course marshaling.

Chris

There will be no engine changing this year, my gang has told me that they got a bit fed up with it last year.