By I recently remarked on Facebook, more questions than answers in relation to Senior Classic TT, parade-lap cancellations.
We have heard the reasons provided by Clerk of The Course Gary Thompson MBE BEM, course conditions, ensuring rider safety, the limited number of volunteers to enable chance of contingency session plans.
Stood in Parc Ferme at the time of the race cancellation announcement, you could hear a-few groans and the disappointment on racers, team members faces were clear to see.
Countless comments on social media afterwards did not make for enjoyable reading.
Not racing in the wet, parade laps taking precedence over racing, lots’-of noise was-made but large strands of-it including from competitors was constructive.
Will the powers that-be listen to it? Take it on-board? Hopefully but miracles do not happen over-night.
There was particular-disappointment regarding Michael Dunlop – Joey Dunlop F1 2000 Tribute Lap’s been-annulled.
This was meant to be the grand finale of the first Classic TT of this decade witnessed by Joey’s family and friends, instead the reinstated event ended on a rather-damp squib.
Why no parade lap? Even with adverse conditions, surely a speed-controlled lap could have happened?
At the end of the day, it is those in the control tower making the decisions and I know they are-not made via a simple, yep, we will do that mindset.
At the same time, these decisions decided are in-my opinion certain to have a knock-on effect for Mountain Course events in-the near future, why invest 100’s of thousands of pounds to not have races take place?
For various teams, the Classic TT is their blue-riband event, yesteryear SBK mainstays Greenall Racing, Key Racing, Wiz Norton Racing, Mistral Racing to name but a-few.
Will teams like them keep coming back if races keep-been-called off?
The costs involved in getting to IOM shores is huge for general race-fans, marshals, media, one can only imagine the financial hit teams take.
I am always a glass half-full when it comes to opinion dividing topics within pure road racing.
I always want to see the bright side, which is-the enthusiast, supporter in me. In this case though, I am struggling.
Anyway, on the plus side, the 102nd Anniversary Manx Grand Prix was a huge, huge-success. Great racing, no politics, what real road racing is all about.
Here is to a sterling year of Mountain Course racing in 2026, hopefully one not featuring race cancellations!
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
