SHOCK AND.... WELCOME!
The sheer amazement experienced by first time visitors to the Isle of Man as they feel the rush of wind from race bikes whizzing past their nose at 180mph is matched only by their appreciation of the welcome they receive from the long-suffering residents.
This was brought to my attention by a colleague who experienced at first-hand the enthusiasm and hospitality of the locals when invited to the best little house on the island. No, not the residence of the Governor, although he did drop in, but a charmingly modest property halfway down Bray Hill, the home of Beryl and Brian.
There are two great attractions. One, the shock of witnessing John McGuinness and his fellow heroes plummet down that famous hill, inches away from stone walls, telephone poles and people at an unbelievable pace. Second, the warmth of welcome accompanied by cups of tea by the indefatigable Beryl and her helpers.
No wonder it attracts the famous. Formula 1 driver and motorbike enthusiast Mark Webber, whose Dad owned a Yamaha dealership in Adelaide; American film star Eric Bana (Star Trek. Black Hawk Down, Hulk); former F1 world Champion Jackie Stewart; Honda boss Mr Katoh; not to mention daily collections of industry luminaries and ex-racers.
You wouldn't get it in Qatar!
WHO REPLACES STONER?
The TT still attracts a lot of industry personnel - Honda in particular - and although road racing enthusiasts can be somewhat scornful of the goings-on in MotoGP speculation as to who might succeed Casey Stoner in the Honda team was rife.
If there was betting, a lot of money would be going on Jorge Lorenzo who is currently in the middle of contract negotiations with Yamaha. Even more intriguing, if that were the case, is the identity of his successor.
Manufacturers now see MotoGP, with its huge audience, as a means of building their brand across everything they sell rather than promoting a motor cycle model to enthusiasts. So when it was suggested that it might be Valentino Rossi swinging his leg over a Yamaha once more it was an idea which couldn't be dismissed. Remember it was Yamaha who paid what was probably the biggest signing-on fee in racing history when they tempted The Doctor away from Honda.
It is well known that relationships between Rossi and Ducati are strained, to say the least; Italian fans are blaming Rossi rather than Ducati for the poor performance; and Rossi, although not the rider he was, is still the biggest star in racing by a country mile.
Watch this space!
CRUTCHLOW TO THE RESCUE?
Silverstone, home to the British round of MotoGP next week, needs two things to pull in the people. Good weather,which even track boss Richard Phillips can't organise, and a home town hero which we haven't had for some time. Now we've got one... Cal Crutchlow.
Crutchlow is a gritty battler whose performances this year have exceeded the expectations of most, probably including his boss at Tech 3 Yamaha, and surely must be prime candidate for promotion to the main Yamaha team should either Lorenzo or Spies move on. Last year the weight of expectation at his home track seemed to much for Crutchlow, now an Isle of Man resident, but this year he must be a podium contender - if not a winner.
Richard Phillips, the Silverstone boss, was much in evidence at last weekend's MotoGP round in Barcelona. His track have not yet found their major investor - talks with Qatar seem to have cooled, although Richard Branson's name has (inevitably!) been linked - and with a sanction fee rumoured to be circa $5m payable to promoters Dorna, he is likely to be found on the main gate next weekend counting the bikes as they come it.
Catch an exclusive interview with Cal in the next issue of bikesportnews. On sale June 14
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR
The article on the Yorkshire family Padgett in BikeSport News was a fascinating insight into one of the great dynasties of racing from that part of the world, others being Jefferies and Appleyard. Racers who came in to work on their bikes in the evenings had to get used to the fact that at 9.30 it was Batley Variety Club time and everything stopped to watch some entertainment legend.
Balancing crankshafts or watching Shirley Bassey with a pint of John Smiths - no contest!
