....because on this very forum back in the summer, we were told in the course of a debate about 250s returning to the Mountain that John McGuinness (among others) had said that they did NOT want to see 250s back on the TT course and that those comments were minuted.

I've just read this on a crash.net interview with John:

"If it was on the TT Mountain circuit, I'd be jumping through hoops to get a 250 and I'd be on the grid there is no question about that"

I guess between now and then, something's happened to change his mind?  Anyhow, if the current leading TT rider would bust his chops to get a 250, you can assume that most (if not all) of the present quick guys would want a shot at him and perhaps they'd "jump through hoops" to get a 250 aswell...

Now, is it REALLY true that a quality grid couldn't be assembled?  I'm beginning to wonder....

I Spoke to John along with others a while ago about the 250cc debate, I cannot however comment on the statements made at the "meeting" that is regularly brought up as I was not there.

I said "I thought you loved the 250's, how come you have said over on the Island that you wouldn't want them back ?" the reply to me was " I didnt say I didn't want them back, what I said was that in the TT's current format I couldn't see any place for them and If a quality field could not be guarenteed it was a waste of time. If they could get a good field of new / modern machinery with well prep'd reliable bikes I would love to ride one again". I said well they run a class at the U.G.P. etc and you entered that ?" and he said "yeh and its fantastic but only half the field finished and its only a short race, all the bikes were old and tiered and there is no new stuff around, practice week is a real busy time at the TT and I cant see where the practice time would slot in, if bikes were not 110% people would be stranded all over the place and struggling to get out on the next machine, I have raced 250's longer than any other class in my career and won a British championship, they're great, but looking how a normal TT week pan's out these days I cant see where there is a place for them anymore".

Dont shoot the messenger, just brought up the subject after reading comments on hear and that was the response. Not word for word as it was from memory, I dont carry a note pad and take minutes. What I can say is that John is a down to earth honest kind of guy that genuinely love the TT and indeed the Isle of man in general, after all its not us with our necks on the line and we dont have to set off down Bray Hill to pay the mortgage. Most of the top guys sing from the same sheet I think.

I am sure the debate will continue, with many different opinions but until all the teams that make the event what it is get together and state they want a 2 stroke race I cant see how it can happen ? 

There is so much negativity on this board you wouldn't think it was for fans of the TT

Strange how most of the top riders have nothing but praise for Paul Phillips and reckon

he has done a lot to help promote and improve the races but certain posters on here

seem to know better

We all love the TT

Lets carry on marshalling, supporting and spectating and make sure it lasts another 100 years and not

bring it to an abrupt end by constantly mithering