S I T E   U P D A T E D  16 / 7 / 08                              J I M   M O O D I E   R A C I N G # 2 1

By this time John's getting ready for the superbike race and surely John's in with a good chance with that well sorted Kawasaki. It turned out that John and Bruce Anstey were the clear front runners with John just missing out on that win.

We then decide to have a look for the illusive Barry Symmons and it wasn't long before Jim was stopped either for autographs or by others asking about his condition. For a while I felt a bit like a minder, wondering if we would ever get something to eat. Jim's usually in a hurry to get from A to B, but on this occasion I think he was enjoying the attention….and why not. Eventually Jim said "there it is, exactly where I said it was". Having a look myself, the two Norton's sitting there really should have been a clue. Anyway, Jim's invited in, introducing Tom and my good self. We get something to eat while Jim seemingly chats away to everyone. I have a word with Barry about the Norton days and it was really unfortunate that Norton folded back in 93 as Jim was pencilled in for a team spot. The rest is history and fortunately the Duckhams venture came in and took over the rotary project with Jim finishing second in the superbike championship to James Whitham……………………………..Below, Jim on that Norton.

Back we go for the 600 supersport race. John got a poor start but it wasn't long before we thought something wasn't right. The race itself was by far the best of the day, but John wasn't really up with the leaders. After the race John said "that's not the bike I rode at the TT" John explained there was  a problem as the bike wouldn't even pull top gear.

Time was getting on and there was another red flag in the forgotten era and classic race, putting the last superbike race in jeopardy due to time constraints. We were beginning to wonder if the race would run so we headed back to the helicopter to watch the race from there.

On our way through the paddock Jim was being stopped every few yards and I wondered if we would ever get over the track in time. I found it funny when a young lad asked me "what happened to him" I explained telling him he was a racer. The lad replied "is he any good" I laughed and explained a little more. By this time the youngster wanted his autograph and the only thing he had was a Tas Suzuki poster which I gave to Jim to sign. Now we have a young lad going about with Jim's autograph on the Tas poster…well you never know.  On the way up we heard they were calling the superbike race and looking at the time we began to wonder if it would go at all. When we got to the helicopter one of the sector marshals gave Jim a seat and as the time was now 6.10 we guessed it was a no go, so we decided to set off for home.

Before we go Jim and Tom give the helicopter a good look over. This time I put, sorry try to put, my life jacket on before we take off and yes I get it wrong again. I should have known better to ask Jim as he was way too involved with the helicopters start up procedure, telling me to work it out for myself…and I did. Up we go and with the wind slightly behind, the flight home was even faster than the outbound journey. It didn't seem that long before we were over the water again going through the flight protocol as we go. Jim text John and it was confirmed that the race didn't go ahead. The weather was even better and we could see many of the West of Scotland islands as we crossed the sea. Tom dropped us off at Jim's and it was just after 7pm, amazing and what a way to travel. Time for a cuppa and then for the drive home….how long will that take?    End.