ISLE OF MAN TT 2008, SENIOR TT

That Was The week That Was Then. The Fat Lady has sung and the 2OO8, Isle of Man TT has drawn to a close for this year, but not without thrills and spills in the closing race. The race was finally won by John McGuinness , with Cameron Donald second. John has now won 14 TT races, the same as the late, great Mike Hailwood.

The images.

First image is two Manx riders, look closely you can see the Isle Of Man 3 legs. 54 is John Crellin.
(If someone could tell who 55 is as I haven't got the programme to hand. Doh!)
No 13 is another Manx Man, Gary Carswell finished 13th
No 3, John McGuinness the winner
No6, Cameon Donald gained 2nd place
No 8 Ian Hutchinson who came 3rd.

DIANESE SENIOR TT - top 10

1, John McGuinness 1 hour 46 minutes 47.69 seconds (127.186mph)
2, Cameron Donald 1:47.38.64 (126.183mph)
3, Ian Hutchinson 1:48.29.44 (125.3198mph)
4, Ryan Farquhar 1:48.47.45 (124.852mph)
5, Steve Plater 1:49.22.02 (124.195mph)
6, Gary Johnson 1:49.42.39 (123.810mph)
7, Ian Lougher 1:49.59.30 (123.493mph)
8, Carl Rennie 1:50.18.08 (123.180mph)
9, Daniel Stewart 1:50.30.89 (122.905mph)
10, Michael Dunlop 1:51.03.62 (122.301mph)

This is just a small sample of images. Some of the others will turn up at intervals, but for now normal service will be resumed. Locals and birds watch out, Babooshka and her camera will be
capturing you for Ramsey Daily Photo as per normal.

I hope you've at least got the flavour of the biggest event to hit this tiny isle each year. A special mention must go to Manx resident John Qualye. He's a 105 years young gentelman, who watched the very first TT in 1907. Yes 101 years ago. Now that is too amazing a timespan to comprehend. John, you're a TT legend too.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - FLYING BIKE

It's Skywatch with a difference. Had to get the Isle of Man TT in the post somewhere and this one can do the multi tasking this week. So, a rest from the business of motorbike races and one from the stunt team instead. This was taken over the park, where during the TT we have a day off from the races and have what's known as "Ramsey Day." Not the most imaginative title, but it seems to pack the punters in. This is a wonderful all day event, with stalls, displays, and motorcycle sprints along the promenade. One for all ages, locals and tourists in unison with the sole aim of having a good time.

The biker here is one of a two man stunt team. The event has the two bikers showing an appreciative audience their agility skills, with a very jokey compare at the helm. All I will say is if you were from outside of the UK, some of the jokey comments may have got lost in translation. The stunts though are universal. This one was taken just as the guy had left the ramp before landing atop of a lorry. I went for the "suspended in mid air moment against a brilliant blue sky."
Good job I got it then! For TT action see previous posts this week.

f you want to particpate in skywatch see Tom at WIGGERS WORLD.
Only genuine skywatchers need apply. None of your advertising for sales sites please. This is for enthusiasts only and hosted by Tom of the fabulous WIGGERS WORLD

ISLE OF MAN TT, SIDECAR B

Two races today, but for now we'll concentrate on the afternoon race, Sidecar B. Unlike the other races that we've had this week, Sidecar B went to form, the winners, the favourite team of Nick Crowe/Mark Cox. Very popular result as they are local guys. As you can see this is the sunniest day by far, which is ok so long as you aren't taking photos. Couldn't bag the spot I wanted today as the locals were out in force, and they won't budge, but this angle isn't too bad.

Images again a quick snatch from roughly 100.

From the top.

5I, Claude Montagnier/Laurent Seyeux, finished 37th
18, Greg Lambert/ Sally Wilson finished 11th
19, Doulgas Wright/Stuart Bond finished 10th
2, Nick Crowe/Mark Cox the winners
21, Roger Stockton /Peter Alton finished 18th
7, Nigel Connole/ Dipash Chauhan finished 9th
4, Klaus Klaffenbock/Christian Parzer finished 5th
1,Dave Molyneux/Daniel Sayle bagged second place

It's the early hours of thursday morning. Whilst I'm covering the TT. Barker is Covering the living room floor with football caricatures for the European Championships. You can check out the ones he's uploaded so far at this link,BARKER BITES BACK! . We'd really like some input on these, as it's hard for us two to be objective about each others work, so your comments would be welcome. Makes a change from his Political Cartoons.

Time to hit the sack.

SURE MOBILE SIDECAR 2

1, Nick Crowe/Mark Cox 59 minutes 34.76 seconds (113.989mph)
2, Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle 59.45.31 (113.654mph)
3, John Holden/Andrew Winkle 1:00.19.33 (112.585mph)
4, Steve Norbury/Rick Long 1:00.33.58 (112.144mph)
5, Klaus Klaffenbock/Christian Parzer 1:00.34.47 (112.117mph)
6, Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance 1:00.59.78 (111.342mph)
7, Phil Dongworth/Stuart Castles 1:01.16.68 (110.830mph)
8, Simon Neary/Jamie Winn 1:01.19.27 (110.751mph)
9, Nigel Connole/Dipash Chauhan 1:01.51.10 (109.801mph)
10, Gary Bryan/Robert Bell 1:02.40.45 (108.360mp

ISLE OF MAN TT, SUPERSPORT 1

ABC Wednesday had to be T for TT. Same as post yesterday, a bunch of images , no particular. order. As I've before, said posts all hit and run this week, got to be out and about.

This is the Monday Race, The Supersport 1. Quick who's who in the pics. 73 is local Guy Peter Hounsell who finsihed 42. Next is Chris palmer 14 and Adrian Archibald 13. They finished in this order in 11 and 12TH place respectively. Next Keith Amor, No. 4 who finished third. Following that is John McGuinness No 3 who finshed second. Steve plater is the next image, rider 1o and the eventual winner( Bruce Anstey was disqualified.) Final pic is Michael Dunlop 23 who finished
a respectable 1oth.

No racing today, but it was Ramsey Day. These pics may have to wait until next week as there is more racing tomorrow, the sidecars Pierre( I couldn't do the sat race). Ramsey Day is a fun day of stalls, sprint racing, stunts and kiddies entertainment. A bit of light relief and a day off for the riders. Not the photographers though.

Oh yes, have to say thanks to the magazine photographer who tried to get me into the media enclosure to have better access. He argued the point that I was actually the only one with Ramsey Daily Photo on the shirt and a local. Typical Isle of Man mentality, the answer was no. Laxey Lass, I agree with you about the courier, but it's international magazines that have approached me, never the island, and yes it infuriates me.

I'll get a T.shirt pic sorted at some point. Time for bed.

Like to join ABC Wednesday? Please got to this link, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE
Mrs Nesbitt is the host for ABC Wednesday, where you can find details for joining, her own ABC shot to comment on and a list of fellow bloggers who are playing today, who would also appreciate your comments.




SUPERSPORT STATS.

1, Steve Plater 1.14.01.07 (122.338mph)
2 John McGuinness 1.14.04.46 (122.245mph)
3Keith Amor 1.14.12.28 (122.030mph)
4, Ryan Farquhar 1.14.14.25 (121.976mph)
5, Ian Lougher, 1.14.15.50 (121.942mph)
6, Gary Johnson 1.14.50.89 (120.981mph)
7, Mark Parrett 1.15.26.86 (120.020mph)
8, Mats Nilsson 1.15.32.16 (119.879mph)
9, Cameron Donald 1.15.33.15 (119.853mph)

ISLE OF MAN TT 2008, SUPERSTOCK RACE

Here are a bunch of images from Monday 02 June 2008 Superstock race. Again in no particular order. Put it this way, I've 175 to sort out so it's going to be a long "day for night." Only two deleted but those 175 left are all on the money. That's only one race too. Haven't even contemplated looking at the afternoon race!

The Winner was No. 6, Cameron Donald. Second place went to No. 3, John McGuinness. Third position was No. 1, Guy Martin. Those three lads are amongst the pics. I was one of the few fortunate ones who actually got McGuinness waving, which was a real crowd pleaser. We didn't get any wheelies today, but maybe later in the week.

A big thanks to the guys down the back alley of Taubman Street( where they were taken) for making a little space for a slight female and her camera. Hustling for position is never pretty, we all want a bite at the photo cherry, and they allowed me space to have mine. I hope you all got the goods too lads.

The T. Shirt now seems to have it's own fanclub and is a life force beyond my control. Being asked if you can have your T.Shirt photographed is well, surreal. Being called Babooshka in the middle of my local high street even more so,especially as the name does not appear on the shirt.

Well, eats shoots and leaves post again. I am going to be a bad blogger this week, but I will be "calling at a blog near you" soon as I can. I will leave you with some stats of todays race.

1, Cameron Donald 1 hour 11 minutes 59.69 secs, 125.776mph
2, John McGuinness 1:12.14.76, 125.338mph
3, Guy Martin 1:12.17.71, 125.253mph
4, Ryan Farquhar 1:12.34.98, 124.756mph
5, Conor Cummins 1:12.40.28, 124.605mph
6, Adrian Archibald 1:13.15.87, 123.596mph
7, Ian Lougher 1:13.33.48, 123.103mph
8, Steve Plater 1:13.40.87, 122.897mph
9, Carl Rennie 1:13.46.81, 122.732mph
10, Daniel Stewart 1:14.13.33, 122.001mph

ODD SHOTS MONDAY- ISLE OF MAN TT SEA OF BIKES

I know it's not one of my usual barmy bird images, but The Isle of Man TT is finally here and that's where I'll be working mostly this week. What though is particuarlly odd about this shot.

Well there are probably more tourists bikes here in this shot, than there are on the whole island the rest of the time. Also, do you notice those white posts in the distance, far left ? They are rugby goal posts. That means the motorbikes you see are actually parked on the rugby pitch. For me this is really wierd to see motorbikes en mass parked on a piece of land that belongs to another sport, especially as I usually photograph Ramsey Rugby here.

Gotta run. Off to the morning races. By the way, I will be wearing the T.shirt I had made with Ramsey Daily Photo on the back, and one of my photos of a rider on the front. You'll know who I am then if I turn up on someone else's photos or the T.V.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

THEME DAY - MY CORNER LOCAL SHOP

There seems to be a pattern running throughout the blogs today that "corner shops" are a thing of yesteryear, to be replaced by one stops shops or supermarkets. Even this island has few old fashioned corner shops now. I do however shop at this tiny mall for that most British of things, my "daily newspaper." Everything else I buy online, the supermarket, or go to the biggest town on the island Douglas to purchase goods.

I admire the sentiments behind todays theme, but the sad reality is corner shops are fast becoming a thing of the past. Maybe this kind of day can help stop the march of time and make those of us who still have the local corner shop appreciate it more.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Check out my post yesterday if you are motorbike enthusiast, or know what the TT is.