bill skipper - Isle of man Manx GP 2004

A excellent trip completed by:

John Hold (previous competitor) and Organiser
Bill Skipper
John Nelson
Ian Armstrong

An easy outline story ...... travel to IOM and watch the Manx Gp practice week...and have a laugh

wise men inspect Rogers Bike - 3 experts 1 doer

Thursday 24 August 2004 Departed at 10am for a run across to Heysham to catch the steam Packet ferry to Douglas in the Isle Of Man. Arrived dry in good time for the 2.30pm sailing which once on our way felt as though it was driven by steam, taking until 6.30pm before we docked. Holdie then lead us straight to the circuit to watch the practice session, which was on till 8pm. Then off to the hotel where it proved difficult to park as a film crew complete with a dozen or vehicles had taken over the street. A film was being made about a pole dancer who fell in love was being made; despite waiting for a few hours no extras were required. 4 hunks available and still no opportunitys for the boys. Time then for a quick douche and off to the bar, another bike trip without a beer was to prove another testing night. Anyway I survived and proved once again that after 7 pints of coke I still can't sleep. John (Holdie) has given his orders that we are to be up early for our first ride around the circuit.(36 miles a lap). So I shall leave it for now and hope for a good dry run tomorrow.

	Practice at quarter bridge

	ditto
	25 August 2004 Holdie gets his day - wedding anniversary present from the boys Wednesday - a dry day what a wonderful feeling this summer. The day was started early and we were on way by 9.30am. Holdie was eager on this his 20th wedding anniversary to show us the circuit 38 miles lay ahead, and after a visit to the pits and some of the riders he knows who previous encounters. We had a quick coffee to calm the nerves and we were off. The lap record stands at roughly 18 minutes at an average speed of 127mph so it was interesting to record our time at 59mins 37secs (at least it was under an hour). Even allowing for fact that the roads were open and the traffic lights switched on it is unbelievable to consider how fast these race bikes fly. Holdie being a man of many past talents can say he has completed the course on a race day at over 100mph. All in all the day was a wonder at least when we watched the afternoon practice session it made you appreciate it all the more. Away from the racing we had a good fast run around the rest of the island which I enjoyed the scenery and the ice cream, on a culture note a mention of the Laxey wheel (see photo), which is 150 years old this year is worth a mention.
	The laskey wheel is a different type of wheel
	26th August 2004 Thursday - another ride across the mountain and a visit to the Murray motorcycle TT Museum . What a collection of over 120 bikes 1000's of bits and pieces from spark plugs to helmets dating back to the start of the TT. The mountain was clear of fog so another fast run was possible down off the mountain. Today's viewing was spent split between Ballaugh bridge (17 mile marker), where the bikes hit the bridge and take off what a excellent viewing spot and then to Rhen cullen (15 mile marker) we were sat on the grass verge 2 metres from the road watching the bikes hurtling past at 120 mph through a chicane. Practice was over by 5.30 and all the riders we had chatted to in the paddock were safely back we had heard that 3 serious accidents had occurred. sadly this was the end for us Friday was printed on our return tickets so this was the last of the racing we were to see....never mind always next year.
	Murheys motorcycle museum offers a diversion, when the practice is late and the bars are closed

Ice cream time
Ian is that your finger ??

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14-Oct-2009