This is me interviewing the maestro of the Mountain Course John McGuinness, as ever under the watchful eye of producer Eunice Cubbon, in the Radio TT commentary box overlooking Glencrutchery Road
Radio TT is pulled together for two weeks each year with a combination of full-time radio professionals, part-time freelances, and others whose sole broadcasting experience has only ever been at the TT. It is one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with and one big reason is motivation. We all want to be involved, we all count the days till it starts every year. Teamwork is another factor. There are no over-riding egos. The team dovetails naturally, knowing we can rely on each other. The ability of each individual is beyond question, whether it’s Roy Moore and Dave Christian describing events at Ramsey and Glen Helen, or Mavis and Heike chatting away in French and German. There’s a lot of good humour all fortnight, off air as well as on air, and that includes those who voices may not be heard but whose presence is certainly felt – the engineers, the timekeepers, and our producer Eunice Cubbon.
The reason this matters is that the days are long and unpredictable. Uniquely in my experience there is never any script, no running order, no formal structure for a live show which can extend over an entire working day. We set off and see what happens. Of course, we are not completely flying by the seat of the pants. There is a tradition and a pattern which were established by Peter Kneale and Geoff Cannell, both overseen by Eunice, and today we amend and update things as we see fit. It’s a bit like the British Constitution – nothing is written down but somehow it all works. In recent years an extra layer of journalism has been grafted on by Tim Glover and Chris Kinley which gives our output a bite which you don’t always find in the live broadcasting of sports events.
In 2012 we were honoured to be nominated in the category of Best Sports Story at the annual IRN (Independent Radio News) Awards.
Radio TT team 2011 with Murray Walker and Maurice Mawdesley
Manx Radio TT raceday line-up in 2010 and 2011:
Editor: Tim Glover. Producer: Eunice Cubbon. Commentators: Roy Moore (Ramsey Hairpin), Chris Kinley (Pitlane), Dave Christian (Glen Helen). Timekeepers: Pat O’Hanlon (Ramsey Hairpin), Norman Quayle (Grandstand), Tim O’Hanlon (Pitlane), Roy Sweetman (Glen Helen).
Engineers: Darren Leeming (Glen Helen), Ed Rixon (Ramsey Hairpin), Bob Allison and Catherine Nicholl (Grandstand). French commentary: Mavis Brown. German commentary: Heike Perry.
Mavis, Eunice and Heike
Norman Quayle
Dorothy Lambert
CL with Maurice Mawdsley
Charlie Williams, John Kennaugh, Dave Christian
Chris Kinley
Bob and Catherine
Tim Glover, Phil Edge andThe team with Murray Walker and Maurice Mawdsley, 2011. photo: DLFinding out how to do it from Murray, 2011. photo: DL
A big well done to the Manx radio TT team who keep us all informed throughout the day. It helps all us volunteers from Braddan football club, who are working hard down at isle of man TT camping, inform the fans and get through the busy days. A lot of happy bikers have been fed and watered before watching the races, well done martin, rod and of course craig who makes it all happen! A big well done guys!
Thank you
Enjoy your TT and keep safe riders!
Well done everyone.I have been to a few TTs and this year I am at home in Croydon but listening to all of you has brought the atmosphere into my living room.My only regret is that I did not listen to you before either on or of the Island.I will be over next year so I will look forward to meeting some of you. Regards Ted
Thank you so much for the commentaries. I live in Spain, have done the last 31 TT’s and many MGP’s but can’t be there this time. Listening on the laptop is the next best thing and almost feels like being there, it’s like home-from-home!!
Keep up the good work and thanks again.
Thanks Ian, that is much appreciated.
Charlie
Hi Charlie
I’m sorry this has taken so long but back in November you asked me to provide copies of the articles I wrote for the TT Supporter’s Club magazine about memorials around the TT Course. I’ve had a bit of trouble finding them but now have three parts out of the four of which it consisted. I’ve cobbled together what I can remember of the missing part.
I wonder if you could let me have your email address, or at least one where I can send this batch of pages as attachments
Kind Regards
Ian Leacy
Ian, I have sent you an email. And hope I haven’t put you to too much trouble.
TT 2012 will be even better than TT 2011 as this year I will be on the Island.My first purchase when I get there will be a TT radio to make sure I can listen to the excellent commentary from TT Radio just like I did last year in Croydon wishing I was there. Cannot wait.