Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website. Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.  

Advertisement

Lone Wolf and the big, audacious goals

Well, the Isle of Man government can't be accused of lacking ambition. The proposed TT World Series is something that TT supremo Paul Phillips has been thinking about for some time, it has a certain ring to it and is certainly possible.

But one can't help feeling sceptical, that we've seen these grand plans - BAGs - before. But that may be the legacy of longevity, being around a long time - too long some might say.

But we must fight off negative thoughts although trying to forget much publicised Great British world beaters such as the KTM, the Scorpion, something called a Velocette backed by BRM and even the Fred Marsh 4(not really) is difficult. Even Foggy didn't quite make it with the Petronas, the Circuit of Wales is progressing, not yet certain, but hope springs eternal.

Advertisement

But this is different and it has a chance. The TT has  been wonderfully revived, the re-invented Classic TT is great success and road racing in general, despite obvious difficulties, is on a roll. So what is there to doubt?

Well, there is a little matter of economics. Running a world series is expensive, with transport being the main cost. Sponsorship is hard to come by, ask Dorna who are probably struggling to make World Superbikes break even. And is it likely to get manufacturer backing?

Maybe in countries like Indonesia where they sell a lot of bikes. Unlikely in Europe where Honda sell five per cent of their total output - the heritage of the TT, and it's new found TV audience, put it in a different bracket.

This, of course, is why the circuits so far suggested are in the Southern Hemisphere. Plus it is going to be a winter series. But it also begs the question as to why the home of road racing, Ireland, has been left out. It is surely madness to exclude them. And one can only assume it is either that they are regarded as competitors, won't carry the TT brand or don't fit into a timetable which has the TT as the final round.

Many of the circuits so far suggested are unknown to British fans and it is difficult to describe some of them as road races. But Macau and Bathurst are. And if you're not going to Ireland why not revive the idea of a Scottish TT which Robert Fearnall and Neil McKenzie looked at some time ago. It would be on road roads, the Road Traffic Act which was a problem then has been relaxed and Scotland is now, more or less, independant.

But, but... it is a long game, requiring huge commitment in money, resource, sheer stubborness and, most importantly, belief. If, as reported, the Manx Tourist Board has already committed £200,000 for what is simply the first stage then that is an indication of what is required.

Turning dreams into reality is what greatness is all about. The idea of putting a man on the moon was a BAG, the greater achievment was doing it.

KNOWING YOUR PLACE

Insurers Bennetts, one-time sponsor of the British Superbike Championship, has been taken over by, wait for it, Saga. Yes, we now have had it confirmed what we all suspected but wouldn't admit to - riding motorbikes is for old men.

Advertisement

Saga, for those of you who don't insure your cars or go on cruises round Scandinavian fjords, is described as an over-50s services provider. Roger Ramsden, head of insurance at Saga, in describing their rationale in spending £26million, said: "Biking is becoming a middle-aged and beyond-hobby activity."

Whatever the latter part of that sentence means, recent research confirms the trend. Spending on bikes by the over-50s has soared by 41 per cent since 2008 but only four per cent for under-50s. And 70% of Bennetts customers are over 40.

Saga says they are not going to change the Bennetts brand but one wonders what is going to happen to their social networking site which features "Bennetts Babes" - Spandex-clad nymphettes astride motorbikes?

What do we make of all this? No wonder finding teenage racing prodigies is such hard going compared to Spain where motorcycling is for the young.

Articles you may like

Advertisement

More Big Read

Advertisement
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram