got2dv8 griff851 wroteFirst man down. Jap rider for tyco smeared in practice.That's kind of in poor taste, don't you think Griff? Robert
griff851 A mate of mine has ridden it 6 times. That's how we talk about it. Sorry if I've offended anyone. It's not just a race, it's the prime battle of life and death of riders and their machines against the real world. Rock walls and all. Riders get smeared and broken, bikes get trashed. And at the end, there are champions. Riders to be truly admired for their courage and skill, and devotion. But above all else we the unwashed masses revere them for being complete and utter lunatics.
Mr.R Well I'm a big TT fan and have "Been over" around 25 or 26 times, (1st time in '75) I can tell you all that when a rider dies it puts a real damper on the week/fortnight, riders and fans are never flippant/blase about it IME. Some elderly Manx residents can't understand why the roads are closed for so long after a death, saying... "Just throw them over the hedge and sort it out later, like we used to in the past"... The Japanese rider died doing what he wanted to do, facing the ultimate challenge for motorcycle and rider. My thoughts go out to his family and those others close to him, of course he also has/had my full respect. Steve R P.S. It's 10 years since "DJ" died in practice for the TT, today's MCN carried a several page homage to one of the best TT riders ever. There was nothing but total respect shown for the rider, his family and his friends.
