Popular Post Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted June 5, 2018 Yesterday at the TT races a very talented young Scotsman named Adam Lyon was killed. I had the great pleasure of meeting him in March at a Euro trackday in Cartagena, he had already won some of the big Irish national road races last year, particularly Armoy if I remember right. He was saying in March that his plan was to race at the Manx GP in August ( it’s like the amateur TT, run over the same course as the TT proper) but when he applied the organisers looked at his 2017 times and performances and told him he was going straight to the TT because he was too fast for the Manx. There’s only ever been a handful of racers who have been invited straight to the TT. He was absolutely buzzing about it, achieving his dream a year early. Sadly Adam died after a crash on his 3rd lap of the Supersport 1 race while running in 17th position in a field of 64 bikes. These men and women don’t do this type of racing on closed public roads for financial gain, there’s very little to be had in that respect. Even the prize money for winning a TT would be lucky to cover the expenses of being there competing for the fortnight. They do it for the love of the sport and the glory of the win. It puts the word brave in to perspective, when we talk about footballers making brave tackles. For me brave is racing through streets lined with walls, houses, hedges and fences at speeds as high as 200mph, for not much more than a little replica trophy. I noticed yesterday there was a small article about Adam on the Daily Rhebel website, focussing on his death and the dangers of racing at the TT, such a shame they couldn’t have written a small article about him when he was alive, concentrating on his achievements. This morning Scotland and Britain are very much poorer having lost a supreme talent and a thoroughly likeable young man. Ibroxbornandbred, BlueBusa, born a blue nose and 11 others 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Land Rover 789 Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Well said Sir . I don't know anything of the young man , but he has my respect . Craigyboy9 and Courtyard Bear 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 5, 2018 Author Share Posted June 5, 2018 15 minutes ago, Land Rover said: Well said Sir . I don't know anything of the young man , but he has my respect . Thanks mate, and there lies the problem as pure road racing is still viewed by the media in this country as some kind of taboo. The way I see it, it should be celebrated as a last great choice, something the PC and health and safety brigades can’t touch. This is a young man who should have been known across the land for his talent and bravery. It’s a cliche, but he died doing the thing that gave him what he needed in life. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieD 18,732 Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Used to live on the TT course at May Hill in Ramsey, not far from the hairpin. Have never been able to wrap my head around those who come back for more after winning it. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueRD 138 Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 I look forward to the TT every year but I'm always fearful of competitors paying the ultimate price. It happens much too often. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Band of Brothers 10,303 Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Seriously dangerous but he died doing what he enjoyed as tragic as it is. Always remember the Guy Martin crash and thinking fucking hell the way those bikes go round is breath taking but must take serious set a balls to do it. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Hurlock Loyal 12,133 Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Stupid sport, in a dangerously daft circuit - should be banned outright. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger9650 106 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 12 hours ago, Terry Hurlock Loyal said: Stupid sport, in a dangerously daft circuit - should be banned outright. Words of wisdom from our H & S expert. Anything else you'd like to ban? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieD 18,732 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 3 hours ago, roger9650 said: Words of wisdom from our H & S expert. Anything else you'd like to ban? 255 fatalities on any race course is ludicrous, to be fair. I think consenting adults should be entitled to risk their lives if they want but there's no doubt that is indeed "dangerously daft". The roads are simply not designed for racing, which incentivises the more daring riders to push the limits beyond any sensible level in the knowledge that the less daring won't. Terry Hurlock Loyal 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 23 hours ago, Terry Hurlock Loyal said: Stupid sport, in a dangerously daft circuit - should be banned outright. Stupid, just because people die doing it? Might as well wrap us all in cotton wool and ban leaving the house. pretty stupid statement Tel! Every single person there is there because they want to be. Nobody is there under duress, I don’t see the problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 6 hours ago, JamieD said: 255 fatalities on any race course is ludicrous, to be fair. I think consenting adults should be entitled to risk their lives if they want but there's no doubt that is indeed "dangerously daft". The roads are simply not designed for racing, which incentivises the more daring riders to push the limits beyond any sensible level in the knowledge that the less daring won't. 255 fatalities, in isolation looks worse than it is. More people die in mountaineering accidents every year in Scotland than at the TT, yet there’s no calls for that to be banned. Band of Brothers 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieD 18,732 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 1 minute ago, Craigyboy9 said: 255 fatalities, in isolation looks worse than it is. More people die in mountaineering accidents every year in Scotland than at the TT, yet there’s no calls for that to be banned. Sure, but they aren't typically taking place in a officially sanctioned, commercial, profit-making event. A mountain doesn't have a duty of responsibility towards a mountaineer. There were 80 something entrants this year, there have been 2 deaths already. There are multiple deaths almost every year. That is an astonishingly high fatality rate for an organised event. I don't say ban it, but I can see why some think it's ridiculous. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Hurlock Loyal 12,133 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 53 minutes ago, Craigyboy9 said: Stupid, just because people die doing it? Might as well wrap us all in cotton wool and ban leaving the house. pretty stupid statement Tel! Every single person there is there because they want to be. Nobody is there under duress, I don’t see the problem. I'm sorry mate, but the statistics tell it all - with the high performance bikes that are used, and more suitable for track racing it is an inevitable occurance every couple of years that a tragic accident occurs. If you compare F1, if this occurred on a circuit then the licence would be revoked. Different sport, I know, but these deaths are sadly becoming a feature of the TT. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 7, 2018 6 minutes ago, Terry Hurlock Loyal said: I'm sorry mate, but the statistics tell it all - with the high performance bikes that are used, and more suitable for track racing it is an inevitable occurance every couple of years that a tragic accident occurs. If you compare F1, if this occurred on a circuit then the licence would be revoked. Different sport, I know, but these deaths are sadly becoming a feature of the TT. It’s always been a feature Tel, the people who do the TT ride the machine to absolute limit, it’s been like that since 1907. The difference is F1 is held all around the world and it’s a corporate monster, the TT is all about choice, they know the risks and do it. There’s no financial gain to racing at the at the TT. As far as I know the winner of tomorrow’s Senior race get something like £40k. Just to buy a Superbike costs in the region of £100k, never mind what a top of the range factory bike would cost. The thing that sets it apart is, you and I could wander round the paddock and pit lane tonight, all the mechanics will be working on the bikes and the top riders will be there chatting and mingling with everyone. No passes needed. Then we could wander down to the bottom paddock where all the privateers are. Guys who save up all year just to race there, sleeping in the back of a dirty old transit, with a wee pop up awning, doing their own spannering with the help of a mate or two. It’s bike racing in its purest form. siddiqi_drinker, Band of Brothers, Land Rover and 4 others 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 27 minutes ago, JamieD said: Sure, but they aren't typically taking place in a officially sanctioned, commercial, profit-making event. A mountain doesn't have a duty of responsibility towards a mountaineer. There were 80 something entrants this year, there have been 2 deaths already. There are multiple deaths almost every year. That is an astonishingly high fatality rate for an organised event. I don't say ban it, but I can see why some think it's ridiculous. It’s is high Jamie, you’ve lived there, what else could be done? I stil stand by it though. It’s a choice the risks are known, Dan Kneen who was killed on Wednesday night last week, his father and brother released a statement saying they wanted it to continue, and wanted his team to continue to compete on his name. That for me is all the justification you need. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Hurlock Loyal 12,133 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 1 hour ago, Craigyboy9 said: It’s always been a feature Tel, the people who do the TT ride the machine to absolute limit, it’s been like that since 1907. The difference is F1 is held all around the world and it’s a corporate monster, the TT is all about choice, they know the risks and do it. There’s no financial gain to racing at the at the TT. As far as I know the winner of tomorrow’s Senior race get something like £40k. Just to buy a Superbike costs in the region of £100k, never mind what a top of the range factory bike would cost. The thing that sets it apart is, you and I could wander round the paddock and pit lane tonight, all the mechanics will be working on the bikes and the top riders will be there chatting and mingling with everyone. No passes needed. Then we could wander down to the bottom paddock where all the privateers are. Guys who save up all year just to race there, sleeping in the back of a dirty old transit, with a wee pop up awning, doing their own spannering with the help of a mate or two. It’s bike racing in its purest form. Good point, well made. You obviously know a lot about it so I defer my ignorance to your superior knowledge. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 8, 2018 Author Share Posted June 8, 2018 9 hours ago, Terry Hurlock Loyal said: Good point, well made. You obviously know a lot about it so I defer my ignorance to your superior knowledge. No worries mate, I just get a bit pissed off, because the only time it makes headlines is when someone is killed, so it’s no surprise people who aren’t particularly into bikes, only see these headlines and draw the obvious conclusion. Courtyard Bear, Terry Hurlock Loyal and siddiqi_drinker 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtyard Bear 41,357 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Absolutely tragic for him and his family. But to die doing what you are good at and love doing above all else, that’s living your life. RIP Adam. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Land Rover 789 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 15 hours ago, Craigyboy9 said: It’s always been a feature Tel, the people who do the TT ride the machine to absolute limit, it’s been like that since 1907. The difference is F1 is held all around the world and it’s a corporate monster, the TT is all about choice, they know the risks and do it. There’s no financial gain to racing at the at the TT. As far as I know the winner of tomorrow’s Senior race get something like £40k. Just to buy a Superbike costs in the region of £100k, never mind what a top of the range factory bike would cost. The thing that sets it apart is, you and I could wander round the paddock and pit lane tonight, all the mechanics will be working on the bikes and the top riders will be there chatting and mingling with everyone. No passes needed. Then we could wander down to the bottom paddock where all the privateers are. Guys who save up all year just to race there, sleeping in the back of a dirty old transit, with a wee pop up awning, doing their own spannering with the help of a mate or two. It’s bike racing in its purest form. Good point mate . I heard a few guys at work who've been to the TT talking about Adam . He was originally entering the junior manx but because his times were so good he was invited to the TT proper . Tragic .Joey Dunlop , a man that had achieved it all and was truly beyond a living legend . He still had to compete to get his fix . I've never been to the TT , but what you say is correct , there is no big prize money or pressure to compete . There was talk of Insurance being a problem for the organisers this year , I can't see it being any easier in years to come . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 8, 2018 Author Share Posted June 8, 2018 3 hours ago, Land Rover said: Good point mate . I heard a few guys at work who've been to the TT talking about Adam . He was originally entering the junior manx but because his times were so good he was invited to the TT proper . Tragic .Joey Dunlop , a man that had achieved it all and was truly beyond a living legend . He still had to compete to get his fix . I've never been to the TT , but what you say is correct , there is no big prize money or pressure to compete . There was talk of Insurance being a problem for the organisers this year , I can't see it being any easier in years to come . I’d guarantee, that anyone with even a slight interest in motorsport would love it. The whole island comes alive, the atmosphere is magic and then that first night you’re sitting on a dry stane dyke and a superbike comes past so close you could reach out and touch it and literally sucks the air out out your lungs. One of the truly breathtaking things in the world and it never gets any less exciting. Fuck knows what it’s like to be riding it! Terry Hurlock Loyal, Land Rover, Courtyard Bear and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedylan 11,555 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Road Racing is a virtual religion in Northern Ireland with the NW 200 drawing up to 100k spectators but year after year there are fatalities but the riders still come from all over the world to challenge themselves Craigyboy9, Terry Hurlock Loyal and Courtyard Bear 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddiqi_drinker 14,635 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 On 2018-06-07 at 05:18, JamieD said: 255 fatalities on any race course is ludicrous, to be fair. I think consenting adults should be entitled to risk their lives if they want but there's no doubt that is indeed "dangerously daft". The roads are simply not designed for racing, which incentivises the more daring riders to push the limits beyond any sensible level in the knowledge that the less daring won't. I personally feel that the bikes have outgrown the roads, I don't believe anyone envisaged bikes capable of >300 kmph when the TT started. As @Craigyboy9 rightly says it's about choice, but we have to balance that with a bit of common sense. Courtyard Bear and Craigyboy9 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddiqi_drinker 14,635 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 16 hours ago, Craigyboy9 said: No worries mate, I just get a bit pissed off, because the only time it makes headlines is when someone is killed, so it’s no surprise people who aren’t particularly into bikes, only see these headlines and draw the obvious conclusion. Enjoyed your views ontheTT, walking around the paddock etc, reminded me of when I used to ride across Europe to watch the WSB, again you could walk around chatting to rhe racers, mechanics etc and often seen them in the hotels around the venues...... different breed. Craigyboy9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 12 hours ago, bluedylan said: Road Racing is a virtual religion in Northern Ireland with the NW 200 drawing up to 100k spectators but year after year there are fatalities but the riders still come from all over the world to challenge themselves The NW200 looks brilliant Dylan, I know how much the road racing means to the people of NI, just from speaking to them while I’ve been at the TT. There was a couple of programs on last year about the national racing scene over the water. Hope to get over at some point maybe to the NW200 or the Ulster GP. A few of my mates go every year to the Armoy races and are always well looked after. bluedylan 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigyboy9 416 Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 9 hours ago, siddiqi_drinker said: I personally feel that the bikes have outgrown the roads, I don't believe anyone envisaged bikes capable of >300 kmph when the TT started. As @Craigyboy9 rightly says it's about choice, but we have to balance that with a bit of common sense. You’re probably right about he bikes outgrowing the courses and maybe this is something that’ll be looked at in the future in terms of limiting the power of the machines. I’m not sure it would make a difference though. Lots of accidents happen in the 600 and super twin classes as well as the Superbike. siddiqi_drinker 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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