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WATCHING THE RACING

When I first visited the Isle of Man, the only way to get to the best places on the course was by coach. The drivers would visit the hotel the day before on on the day during breakfast, offering the trip of the day, not only to listed places on the course but also the original magical mystery tours on non-race days to little villages and beauty spots dotted round the island.

A hotel could fill a coach so we often had an allotted driver who concentrated on us alone and we guaranteed the drivers wages for the TT Period.

The hotel would supply us all with the "Packed Lunch" ,a brown paper bag in which was a bottle of pop, a piece of currant cake, an apple or an orange, a chocolate biscuit and a double slice sandwich made of meat or fish paste. Surprisingly the food lasted the time of the race (they could be over three hours long in those days !) We would be taken up to the Creg or Ginger Hall and find our places among a huge crowd. There seemed to be much bigger crowds in those days.




So we sat on our rugs or on collapsible chairs and watched the seven lap races unfold. When Jack and Charlie Brett came past they knew where we were and waved even though they were flat out...




In later years Louis Carr did the same since his wife Helen came with us to watch. It always seemed to be sunny and hot and after the races we would pile back into the coach and be driven back down to the hotel where we would all go to the nearest ice cream parlour and have a cone.



In my early days we were limited to where the coaches went and were able to park but later we used taxis who dropped us at places we wanted to try and then when we began to come over in the car we found even more places where there were fewer crowds. It was easy, as long as you had permission or were not standing in prohibited areas (of which there were very few) you could see much of the 37 miles of the course.

However, as speeds rose and there appeared "accident spots", the areas where you could stand or sit were reduced significently in number over the years. Ballaspur was one of my favourite places but after two nasties it has been closed to the public. Baaregarrow was another wonderful viewing point but that too has succumbed to closure due to "what could happen".

Now that most fans come over with their bikes and camp sites have sprung up at special places on the side of the circuit, the number of spots has increased a bit lately but only due to the fact that places have become accessible on two wheels from minor roads.

Frankly, my favourite spots nowadays have to encompass some luxuries such as food. drink and a toilet !!.




I choose such places as Creg ny Baa, Sulby Glen Hotel, Glen Helen, Ginger Hall and The Mitre in Kirk Michael. The Raven at Ballaugh is useful but the racing is best viewed from the outside of the course. The Swan at Ramsey is great for atmosphere. The 16th milestone is good and the Bungalow must be on everyones list. I generally have at least one race in the Grandstand area then going down to Quarter Bridge for the next.

I could list many more but my final point on this page has to be the Crosby Hotel.


There I have been allowed to set myself up in the Bay Window so I can see down to the Crosby crossroads. I have my two computers plugged in with live commentary and showing live tracking of each machine in the race. Quite a change from the early days when we had to sit on the banksides with only a programme and a pencil and guess !

...At the Crosby Hotel I am pleased to have befriended the boss who keeps me fed with the most beautiful queenies, a barbecue and an evening meal all washed down with wine or coffee.


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