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Post by charleselan on May 29, 2019 15:54:24 GMT
Its that time of year once more when the worlds greatest motorcycle event begins to shape up on the worlds scariest and most challenging of tracks. This week sees the beginning of practice for the 2019 Isle Of Man TT Races which for me is one of the main highlights of the motor sporting year. Currently on the UK ITV4 Channel they have an hour long program leading up to race week. Two nights ago they had a superb hour long episode featuring the mighty battle for the 2018 Senior TT between winner Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison who eventually finished second. It really was an enlightening program with both guys reflecting on the race and what they did during the race. it was also interesting to hear multiple WSBK World Champion and TT winner Carl "Foggy" Fogarty talking about the race and the fact that he believes it to have been the greatest TT Race of all time. It is really good to hear Carl talk these days as he is now such a good down to earth guy, and far more pleasant than the bit of an ar*e he used to be at times. By the way he even admitted that he was himself some years back, so i am not talking out of turn  . Following on from that in last nights (Tuesday 28th May) program they then featured what many still believe to be the greatest race ever which featured Carl and the truly brilliant Steve Hislop. The 1992 Senior TT will go down in history as one of the greatest races ever between the two guys who were at that time the best on the IOM course. It was great to hear the comments of those involved and also dear old Julian Ryder who is sadly missed from the BTSport commentary team these days, tragically of course Steve isn't here to feature as he died sadly in a helicopter crash in the early 2000nds. It is interesting to think that Peter Hickman is probably the nearest to Carl & Steve in that they were brilliant circuit racers who also made the transition across to the roads. Peter, like Foggy, is absolutely stunning across the Mountain section of the IOM course where they ride it like a short circuit track. Hissy on the other hand was just brilliant everywhere and as Foggy mentioned last evening, he was pin sharp accurate and knew every bump on the 37.75 mile course. |
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Post by Carl on May 29, 2019 21:59:51 GMT
John Charles, I remember last year's Senior TT and it's right to say it may be the best one ever. Thank goodness I'll be able to watch on cable channel MotorTrend, formerly called Velocity. Isle of Man is definitely a major highlight of the year. In one curious paragraph you write: "It is really good to hear Carl talk these days as he is now such a good down to earth guy, and far more pleasant than the bit of an ar*e he used to be at times. By the way he even admitted that he was himself some years back, so i am not talking out of turn " Various attorneys have advised it would be pointless to complain because, they all say, of the many documented times I have been an ar*e. However, I have personally never admitted it! Cheers, Carl  |
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Post by charleselan on May 30, 2019 12:13:38 GMT
John Charles, I remember last year's Senior TT and it's right to say it may be the best one ever. Thank goodness I'll be able to watch on cable channel MotorTrend, formerly called Velocity. Isle of Man is definitely a major highlight of the year. In one curious paragraph you write: "It is really good to hear Carl talk these days as he is now such a good down to earth guy, and far more pleasant than the bit of an ar*e he used to be at times. By the way he even admitted that he was himself some years back, so i am not talking out of turn " Various attorneys have advised it would be pointless to complain because, they all say, of the many documented times I have been an ar*e. However, I have personally never admitted it! Cheers, Carl That is great news Carl, in being able to see coverage of the 2019 TT races. So far the weather has not been good with much of practice cancelled due to rain, a far cry from last year where it was scorching hot in what was a long very warm summer in northern Europe. With regard to Foggy being an ar*e, I believe he mentioned it more than once with respect of his moods etc when racing and his attitude at home, where he has professed dismay at his wife staying with him at such times. He is also far less full of himself when interviewed these days, and always paints a much fuller picture of events now, which in turn makes him a much more rounded and amicable individual. He also took part in one of those horrendous "celebrity" TV challenges a while back and won, gaining many compliments from those that watched. Age has mellowed the man, and he was a truly awesome racer and great champion. |
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Post by Carl on May 30, 2019 16:21:23 GMT
John Charles, I remember last year's Senior TT and it's right to say it may be the best one ever. Thank goodness I'll be able to watch on cable channel MotorTrend, formerly called Velocity. Isle of Man is definitely a major highlight of the year. In one curious paragraph you write: "It is really good to hear Carl talk these days as he is now such a good down to earth guy, and far more pleasant than the bit of an ar*e he used to be at times. By the way he even admitted that he was himself some years back, so i am not talking out of turn " Various attorneys have advised it would be pointless to complain because, they all say, of the many documented times I have been an ar*e. However, I have personally never admitted it! Cheers, Carl That is great news Carl, in being able to see coverage of the 2019 TT races. So far the weather has not been good with much of practice cancelled due to rain, a far cry from last year where it was scorching hot in what was a long very warm summer in northern Europe. With regard to Foggy being an ar*e, I believe he mentioned it more than once with respect of his moods etc when racing and his attitude at home, where he has professed dismay at his wife staying with him at such times. He is also far less full of himself when interviewed these days, and always paints a much fuller picture of events now, which in turn makes him a much more rounded and amicable individual. He also took part in one of those horrendous "celebrity" TV challenges a while back and won, gaining many compliments from those that watched. Age has mellowed the man, and he was a truly awesome racer and great champion. John Charles, I was responding with tongue in cheek in defense of my own (still unproven) misbehavior, forgetting there's more than one Carl in the world. On a serious note, the arrogance and conceit of many, whether racers or rock stars, who are rocketed to stardom by ordinary people often taints their achievements. Those, like Carl Fogarty, who mellow with age deserve to be applauded.
-Carl
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Post by chrisb on May 30, 2019 21:54:01 GMT
King Carl was famous for being blunt, direct and taking no prisoners, on and off track, he was by his own words 'unpleasant' but my word was he quick,
i had a brief dialogue with Mat Oxley on why the Brits seemed so successful at WSB and less so in MotoGP and in truth I still don't quite understand why,
but, the TT - the most breathtaking, scary and adrenalin filling show on two wheels, respect to everyone who takes part, Hickey is looking formidable, but everyone is overlooking Michael Dunlop, terribly bereaved by the tragic accident to his brother last year, but keeping below the radar, or is he?
having ridden the circuit a few years ago and topped out at 150mph [about 240 kph] on the mountain section and being passed by all and sundry I understand Hizzy was doing over 200mph in 92 on the same section, that is just mind boggling and beyond my ability to even contemplate it, the mountain section is hardly a straight and it is scary, really scary, very very scary
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Post by charleselan on May 31, 2019 14:38:02 GMT
I believe that Carl Fogarty would have been a top drawer Grand Prix rider, but the opportunities were not there for an English guy in those days. He made his way in WSBK and I would say that its huge popularity was down to him and his huge UK following. Back then WSBK was as big, or bigger than Grand Prix (pre MotoGP), something that the likes of DORNA could not accommodate.
According to Mat Oxley and his ilk, it is down to background that prevents the Uk riders from breaking into MotoGP. They are brought up on production based bikes, not pure race machines and according to these pearls of wisdom that is why they do not transition. I don't really hold with that personally, I believe it to be more political and sales driven.
Michael Dunlop has had a great TT career but I think that he was found out by the likes of Pete Hickman and Dean Harrison who have very good short circuit pedigree. Dean not so much as Pete at this stage, but he is working on it and as James Whitham has said he will crack short circuits as he has the ability. A top quality short circuit racer will always be quicker if they decide to make a career out of the roads. Michael Rutter did it, and in advanced years is still a good place man; pre injuries Ian Hutchinson was also very good at short circuit racing.
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Post by chrisb on Jun 1, 2019 5:50:47 GMT
There were some 'wild-cards' back in the day and they always did well, I think the only things that are really bothering me again is the lack of some nations riders, the UK, Germany, USA amongst others, I know in the states they are trying to do something, Italy recognised this a few years ago and we now have Rossi's dream teams based on his academy, not something I see Cal doing, maybe some of the feeder series may produce some British stars, but I fear it won't be long until there are no Brits in MotoGP and possibly Moto2,
No, I don't agree with Mat on that one, but I do agree with you. What also helps are the Spanish and Italian riders are that they are modelled from an early age how to race in MotoGp and get all kinds of support and guidance,
Michael was always the 'scary' one for me, he never seemed to have that control others had and I am unsure how he is following William's dreadful accident, I just hope for a safe TT this year, Hicky is good and probably one of the best out there. Michael Rutter is still 'doing it' and effectively as well, some great riders, all of whom I have enormous respect for, that is one scary circuit. Aside from Mike the bike my favourite TT rider was Dave Jeffries, another tragic loss that should not have happened, he was mighty at Scarborough but I don't seem to think he was that successful elsewhere, But Mike the bike sums up your point for me very neatly JC, surely the greatest two were Mike and Ago?
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Post by Carl on Jun 1, 2019 17:06:35 GMT
I've had a forboding about Michael Dunlop for some time. He's driven and takes little pleasure in his achievements, like someone whose path was chosen for them.
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Post by charleselan on Jun 1, 2019 19:05:51 GMT
Some very salient points Carl. I have always felt that Michael Dunlop is too brave and or motivated for his own well being. His ability to ride on this demanding and dangerous of courses with scant regard for margins made his name and delivered his successes. All credit to him for that, but when confronted with someone like Peter Hickman or a pre injury Ian Hutchinson, and a pre injury John McGuiness he had guys who were quicker and who still had margins to spare.
Michael is an unyielding character and I, like you, fear for him; it would be truly tragic if he ended up like his father; uncle and brother.
Chris, it is no contest in that S.M.B. Hailwood was the absolute greatest of all time, how anyone with half a brain can think otherwise is beyond help. "Mike the Bike" was the Jim Clark of bike racing period!
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Post by chrisb on Jun 2, 2019 8:57:42 GMT
hear hear chaps, I do fear for Michael whose bravery is beyond question, but having so many losses may temper than ambition, just hope that there are no nasty accidents this year
and it starts today, good luck to all
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Post by chrisb on Jun 4, 2019 4:57:00 GMT
well, we're off, tragically it seems, RIP Daley Mathison,
sad win for Hicky you may well be right JC,
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