What started throwing a bag over a fence has since grown into a true tradition for ‘Bert and Ernie’. For years they have been visiting the TT Circuit at night, in the week before the event. Not to kick noise, but to prepare their sneaky beer supply. That is why they want to keep their real identity secret.
Bert and Ernie (Namur known to the editors) are both avid TT enthusiasts. “We have been going to the TT since primary school. That is for me fifty years ago,” says Bert. “That is a little less long ago for Ernie,” Ernie adds. “Yes, Bert and Ernie are not that young anymore,” both characters laugh. The average age of the Sesame Street figures that participate in the stunt is around 50. “The oldest is 75.”
For years they have not had to buy beer on the circuit. Since about five years they have been doing that as Bert and Ernie, so that others can also enjoy the hiding plans. “Yes, everyone with us in the gallery thinks it’s wonderful what we do,” says Bert proudly. In May it starts to itch with the personalities. “Then we are already thinking: are we going to do something and how are we going to do it?”
It is almost professional. One of the most famous hiding places was the electricity cabinet, which they had ‘professionally’ there. So -called electricity wires went into the ground from the cupboard and a sticker from Enexis was stuck. “Then it turned out that the TT Circuit Enexis does not have as a network operator at all,” the gentlemen say. The hiding place was discovered by that detail.
Every year the group of Sesame Street comes up with something new. Often also with a backup plan, because it can happen that the stock is found. Last year half of the stock was found by the TT Circuit. Even half, because they had something in hand. “The weather would be nice and you would not have beer during the TT, that is not possible,” Bert jokes.
What Bert, Ernie, Pino, Ieniemienie and the other colleagues play every year is not entirely without danger, but she doesn’t bother. “We were almost caught by the police once, but they are not fast enough,” says Bert laughing. At the time, the police were around the circuit for something completely different. “They had received a report from cyclists on the track, not from us.”
And nerves? “A very little bit,” says Bert. “If we are caught, we will be caught. We are so sporty. We take that risk.” Ernie adds: “That makes it exciting.”
The TT Circuit does see the humor of it, based on its own Instagram messages. Bert can enjoy that. “It is and remains a game between the TT circuit and us. They also poke themselves:” Ey Jungs, how does it lick? “
Good research is being done into new hiding places. “We sometimes walk around to see where we can let something.” But according to the figures it is not more difficult. “You have such a huge circuit. There are several options to get there,” says Ernie. “If we should go through the water, then we go through the water. If we have to go over fences, we climb over fences,” says Bert after it.
They still enjoy doing it. “The anticipation you have together makes it so much fun,” says Ernie. They gather, drink a few beers and wait until it gets dark. “And then by bike to the track.” And stop? That is not yet the case. “It is still fun to do, so see how long it remains fun and original.”