He took down my tips for the winners of the forthcoming TT...
I mentioned in passing that my mother had been six months pregnant with me in 1939 and that my parents had been at that years TT when Georg Meier had won on the blown BMW...So The interview relevant to 40 visits included my very early trip over --- in the womb !
I also contributed some of the places from which I liked to watch plus a TT crossword and a quiz. I contributed to a number of subsequent programmes until the Isle of Man took over its production. I interviewed riders, including Brian Morrison, over the phone, gave my opinions and wrote more quizzes and gave more of my tips. As a consequence of my involvement I gained my Press accreditation for which I was more than happy and began writing freelance for a number of magazines. Over the years I helped Leslie Nichols, George Turnbull and Norrie Whyte. and since 1986 I was back in the thick of it................
...And who was my top tip for 1986 ?????
ROGER BURNETT
My father was unable to make his annual trip to the TT after 1961 so I began to write to him while I was at each TT, relating what I was doing, my latest news and information about bikes and riders.
When he died in 1995, among his files were every letter I had sent him, which I knew he had read avidly...
These letters were subsequently published in a motorcycle magazine and they made very nostalgic reading.....and reminded me of the times I had attended the TT and now form the basis of my personal experiences.
In 2007 I completed 60 years as a TT Fan and received a number of awards for my dedication to the TT..
MY TANKARD FOR 64 YEARS DEDICATION TO THE TT
In 2010 I was invited to the Governors residence to be presented to him and I also received a very nice engraved tankard from Geoff Corkish, again recognising my dedication..
AT THE GOVERNORS RESIDENCE
MY TANKARD FOR 64 YEARS DEDICATION TO THE TT