Not to get into a pi$$ing contest but GP racers have a well set up and manicured track that they've been on hundreds of laps. The IOM course constantly changes and has several different weather changes on the course. Top riders on the IOM have to be able to adapt constantly. That is not to say GP riders don't but we will never know since most top riders are not allowed to participate in TT races due to the dangers. Either way these riders have brass ones the size of basketballs. Going to see the race on IOM is on my bucket list and I hope to go before I'm worm food
The I O M reminds me of when I was really stupid and after getting my 1971 Kawasaki Mach III through the 1985 Kawasaki GPZ I would go rain or shine on the Marin city sunday morning ride. It was fun.
Vehicle related: (there are other none vehicle related examples for me but I will stay on topic)
) and professionally on motorcycles and cars tracks since before I got my license in the mid 70's . Its not that we dont care or respect our life nor does it mean we have "cojonies" . It is about the thrill and feeling hitting triple digits on the speedo as often as possible and reaching "vanishing point" where the only thing in reality focus is at least almost a mile straight ahead. I have gone down hard on the street at over 130mph (not my fault or my bike) and I have almost vaporized a couple of cars Drag Racing. Sure we take that chance of the uncertain and uncontrollable things, that just happen its all part of seeking the moment when you know only others that are like you at that moment when you know the only thing preventing you from going even faster is the engine. Not to take anything away from Ago, he's still in my top 3...sometimes at the top. But he did have it his own way for a long time. For me the Kiwi years are important - 1970 Ago won the World 500cc Championship, and Ginger Molloy came 2nd. Ginger drove around Europe in a van with his wife and kids, paying for everything himself, working on his own bikes....he was the first to get the Kawasaki triple to finish and win races. Ago would fly in to the circuit, jump on his factory prepared bike, and fly home again. '71 was Kiwi Kieth Turner in 2nd, and '73 was Kim Newcome - 2nd posthumously on a bike he built himself. They came 2nd the hard way ...but it was still 2nd.
