Mythical Beast New Zealander John Britten's astonishing home built motorcycles were like nothing anyone had ever seen when they came along in the early 90s. Dismaying the status-quo, the Britten Team only ever built ten of these machines. And in 1993 the team was on hand to contest the TT. Looking back I can say I didn't realize how lucky I was to be there to see the Britten race on the Isle of Man.

On any given race day the road is closed just while the race is on, so you must get to your chosen vantage point before the race starts. Jonathan and I had hiked up the mountain to see the Lightweight - and after the race we visited one of the only structures on the mountain- a small but impressive museum of racing motorcycles.

Walking out of the museum to head back toward Douglas, what should wechance upon, but a Press Pass, just lying out onthe vacant walkway. Clearly this was a sign from the Racing Gods.

The laminated card got us into various places, including the paddock. I struck up a conversation with the Britten mechanics, and they were interested to know that I painted huge spark plugs. At my request they produced a Spark Plug from the legendary Britten 1000 for me to keep. The engine blew up last night, the mechanic said. I looked at the plug, and the tip had a good smack in the side.

the legendary Britten 1000 in the paddock at the Isle of Man