DESTROYED

TT supporters are trying to find anyone connected with a memorial at the side of the TT course which appears to have been destroyed by a vehicle. The small stone memorial was at the side of the course at The Nook and commemorated Czech rider Petr Hlavatka from Holodin who crashed nearby during TT practise in 1991. According to the Isle of Man TT Circuit Memorials Revealed book by Paul Copparelli and Peter Mylchreest, the memorial was erected by Mr Hlavatka’s family and friends in a field on the outside of the course and bore a plaque on top of the stone plinth. Fellow Czech Jiri Podobski, who lives nearby at Governor’s Hill, contacted the Manx Independent recently noting the memorial had been demolished apparently by a vehicle. Mr Podobski said: “I drive past it every day and recently I noticed it was crashed into. I believe he was the only Czech rider to have died in the TT races.” Mr Podobski added that the memorial was visited by Czech riders currently competing in the event. Paul Bradford, TT fan and author of the TT and MGP Memorial Book said he too had noticed the damage. “I know people who may be able to help with repairing it but we need to know if there is anyone in the island connected with the memorial,” Paul said, adding, “It would be good to try and make contact with the person responsible for building it in the first place.” Anyone able to help should contact John Turner at Isle of Man Newspapers on john.turner@newsiom.co.im who can pass on their details.