NO PUNCHES PULLED
“I STILL LIKE THE IDEA OF THE EVENT, THE HISTORY AND DEMANDS MADE ON MAN AND MACHINE ARE VERY IMPORTANT, I JUST THINK KILLING SOMEONE FOR MAKING AN ERROR IS UNJUSTIFIABLE...”
Horton’s dramatic change of opinion about the TT came in 1979, and was based on both the gradual realisation that the dangers of racing there were too great to be ignored, coupled with the fact the organisers were not offering him enough start money, as a TT winner.
His criticism did not make him very popular, but then, and now, that did not worry him.
“My TT corrosion started in 1975, turning up for the event as a TT winner. I had never asked for any money, so why was I expecting them to offer some cash? To illustrate my lack of understanding of the system, I had even paid my entry fee!” says Clive.
On the Island he went to the Auto-Cycle Union office and asked for expenses. He was told that all the start money had gone.
Clive believed the ACU thought a TT winner had no value. It was a lesson learned.
He was in love with the event and it would take more than this to spoil the romance, however, by 1979 the corrosion had rusted through his resolve, and that love affair was over.
He was a critic of the event from then on, appearing as a witness for the prosecution on a controversial TV programme. It made him many enemies, but he was not bothered then and still isn’t.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still like the idea of the event, the history and demands made on man and machine are very important. I just think killing someone for making an error is unjustifiable, extreme punishment I find unnecessary.To be taken out of the race is quite sufficient punishment in itself, for any rider. He does not require his femur shoving through his
