Battle-scarred TT legends John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson were both attracting the attention of well-wishers behind the Glencrutchery Road grandstand and the Jurby Festival at the weekend.

McGuinness spent time signing copies of his much-applauded autobiography In between touring the paddock on his young daughters' quad-bike. His right foot remains in a boot but he was otherwise looking remarkably chipper following his North West 200 crash on the works Honda.

Although still on crutches  and with his badly injured left ankle and foot in wire cage, Hutchy arrived on the Island on Friday having spent the previous day at Silverstone.

While both riders are in long-term recovery, neither has given up the idea of racing again next year. Hutchinson, who crashed while leading the Senior TT in June, has been through all this before. His left leg, the same one, was only saved from amputation following  his Silverstone crash five years ago by his refusal to allow it.

The BMW man’s amazing fortitude is explained by his comment: "It's a good job it was the same leg. I'd have been in real trouble if it had been the other one.”

McGuinness was in good form at the TT Classic Gala dinner in an amusing double act with Michael Dunlop confirming his standing as the Peter Kay of motorcycle racing. He also confirmed that he was not finished with the sport he loved, that he would decide when retirement was right and that it would not be determined by an accident, although huge and painful and one of the very few in a long career, which was not down to him.