By Charlie Lambert
Delighted to report that 'TT Talking' is now officially published and is available in bookshops from this week and also by post from the publishers
www.veloce.co.uk. It retails at £14.99. The publishers have a number of personally signed copies so if you'd like one of those please give them a call on 01305 260068 or email them at
info@veloce.co.uk. I'll be at the Lexicon in Strand Street, Douglas, at 11am on Friday May 30th to sign copies of the book so hope to meet plenty of TT fans there. There are likely to be some other signing opportunities as well which I'll post here and on Twitter as and when I know for sure.
I'd like to say a few thank-yous because a lot of people have helped me bring this book to fruition. John McGuinness has written a very generous foreword, somehow finding the time in a busy schedule. To have THE top rider willing to put his name to my book is a huge compliment. Phil Wain and Chris Kinley read the manuscript and came up with some great comments and suggestions, especially Phil who was absolutely brilliant and steered me away from a few high-sides.
Alan Knight has provided most of the pictures. It was hard to know which to leave out. For example this one, of Michael Dunlop at Kirk Michael is one that isn't included. My wife Dorothy captured a lot of behind-the-scenes moments over the years and the book includes a number of her photos. I also want to thank the guys at Veloce, specialists in publishing motor sport books - Rod Grainger, Kevin Quinn and Kevin Atkins, for their professionalism in editing, designing and producing the finished product.
Of course none of this would have been possible without the raw material generated by the most exciting road races of them all and the terrific buzz that is part of the live broadcasting operation. I hope 'TT Talking' does something to reflect the spirit of the races, perhaps in a way that hasn't quite been done before, while at the same time lifting the lid on the fun and the stress of being at the sharp end of the radio broadcasts.