Members of the TT Supporters’ Club are now making final preparations for what promises to be another busy TT fortnight. Following on from an excellent Centenary TT, the Club Shop will again be based at the rear of the Grandstand and will be open from Saturday 24th May to Friday 6th June, inclusive. Often a focal point at the Grandstand where fans gather to reminisce or chat about the current standing of the TT, the Shop is where members are able to renew their subscriptions for a further year, in so doing assist the Club in fulfilling its principle aim that of supporting those men and women who chose to pit their skills against the world’s most demanding road circuit.
 
Likewise the Club is always on the look out for new members…the annual subscription charge of £15 is put to good use; competitors who are members of the Club receive a useful gift package, the value of which is about £45 and includes a TTSC fleece. They also benefit from the Riders’ Draw; co-ordinated live on Radio TT by Club President, Charlie Williams £1,000 is up for grabs; Dick Hawes was delighted to win the first ‘prize’ of £400 last year.

Competitors in the Junior Supersport Races will be riding hard to take home the TT Supporters’ Club Trophy – a silver tray on a plinth – to be awarded to the rider with the best overall performance across the two races. This is a change in direction for the trophy this year; Roy Richardson has current possession as the leading competitor on a 600cc machine in the 2007 Senior TT.

The Club also presents the Susan Jenness Trophy; this fine piece of silverware is awarded to the lady who is adjudged by the Club’s General Council to have made the most meritorious performance during the TT meeting. Sunday 1st June will see Sylvie LeBlond receive the trophy from Club Chairman, Roy Hanks outside the Press Centre at the Grandstand for her efforts in the sidecar events of last year when coming home as ballast to husband Francois in 25th position in Race B at an average speed of over 102mph. The trophy is presented in memory of Susan who tragically lost her life whilst marshalling at an off-road event in 1987.

Visiting the Shop during TT fortnight gives supporters the opportunity of purchasing TT related clothing – fleeces, sweat shirts, polo shirts, baseball caps, badges, mugs and many other items of memorabilia….all profits are returned to the competitors in one form or another. The competitors’ physiotherapy service – Liz and Emma – is also co-ordinated via the TTSC Shop.

What do members get out of the Club? As well as seeing competitors benefit from their efforts, they also receive two glossy 52 page magazines each year. The Summer 2008 issue, to be distributed to members in the very near future, features Gary Johnson and Ivan Lintin from the current solo brigade, a conversation with Irish legend, Con Law, three-wheeler experts Alan Langton and Dicky Gale, a ‘blast from the past’ in which Isle of Man resident, Dorothy Greenwood writes about the career of Jack Brett, and information from the Marshals’ Association as well as news from our overseas branches in Italy and France. The magazine features over thirty photos of our TT heroes in action.

Congratulation to the winners of the recent TTSC National Raffle - A.Hunt, Messingham, North Lincs. [£350] J Phillips, Mansfield, Notts. [£250], M.Webb, Stroud, Glos. [£150] and D.Blanchard, Kilbury, Derbys. [£50]

The Club is always on the look out to recruit new members; more information can be obtained via its website – www.ttsupportersclub.com . The website will provide full coverage of practice and race times during this year’s festival. Members should contact Rose Hanks on 0121 686 3799 if they are able to offer help during the TT period. Details of regional and international Club Representatives can be found in the magazine – the TTSC welcomes anyone with an interest in helping the TT competitors fulfil their aim of racing on the Mountain Course

Graham Bean