Isle of Man TT

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Image:JoeyDunlopKatesCottage.jpg The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy), or Manx TT, is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man, set in the Irish Sea between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, is at first glance an unlikely mecca for motorcycle racing, being just 33 by 13 miles, (53 by 21 km). It is known for having its own currency, stamps, native tongue and the world's oldest continuous parliament, the Tynwald. However, the Isle is also world famous because of its TT series of motor races, first held on the island's roads in 1904. They were originally restricted to automobiles, but motorcycles were admitted in 1907 and the torturous, undulating terrain made the TT race series the most significant motor-cycle road-racing competition in the world.

The Oxford Companion to World Sports and Games notes, "The oldest motor-cycle racing circuit still in use is the Snaefell mountain course over which the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races are run. Starting at the town of Douglas on the south-east coast, the course takes a wide sweep to the west and north to enter the town of Ramsey on the north-east coast and thence return to the starting point, each lap measuring 37 3/4 miles (60.6 km) and taking in over 200 bends while climbing from sea level to an altitude of over 1,300 ft (396 m). This circuit is the epitome of the natural road course, all the roads used being ordinary public highways closed for the racing and practice sessions".

The first TT race over the Snaefell course took place in 1911. In 1957 the TT races were headlined when the late Bob McIntyre recorded the first 100 mph (161 km/h) lap, riding his Italian Gilera. Two years later, a new racing team, Honda of Japan, participated in the 125 cc race. Today, the premier TT racing bikes are streamlined, technological wonders that complete the Snaefell course at an average speed exceeding 120 mph (193 km/h). Record holders include the late David Jefferies who set a then lap record of 127.29 mph (204.81 km/h) in 2002. This was surpassed by John McGuinness during the 2004 TT on a Yamaha R1 setting a time of 17 min 43.8 s equalling an average lap speed of 127.68 mph (205.43 km/h).

From 1949 to 1975 the race was part of the Motorcycling World Championship and was the home of the British Grand Prix until 1976. The most successful rider was the late Joey Dunlop who won 26 times in various classes from 1977 to 2000.

Image:Isle of Man TT Races RC30.jpg The TT races are extremely dangerous because of the high speeds on very narrow, twisting streets, roads and lanes flanked by stone walls and even buildings. Unfortunately, they have already taken almost 180 lives throughout their history. However of the three names mentioned above, only David Jefferies died on the island. Bob McIntyre was killed in a race at Oulton Park in England in 1962, and Joey Dunlop was fatally injured in a race at Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000. Australian driver Paul Hawkins was killed in 1969 when his Lola T70GT crashed and burned at Island Bend.

Traditionally held in the last week of May and the first week of June, the TT races create a carnival atmosphere. Picnicking crowds flanking the circuit are reminiscent of the community festivals that are part of another form of cycle racing in a different country - the Tour de France. During the TT Festival and the Manx Grand Prix it is difficult to travel across or around the island because of the road closures. There is a TT access road in Douglas that gives access to the centre of the mountain course during the event.

As with any other sport, motorcycle racing in the Isle of Man depends on support. The TT Races are possibly the best known series of motorcycle races in the world. The Official 59 Club is possibly the best known and largest motorcycle club in the world with over 28,000 members. To show its support for the TT Races, the 59 Club sends representatives to 'Fly the Flag' and to promote the cause of motorcycling everywhere. It also puts on a Barbecue every year which has become almost as much an institution in the Isle of Man as the TT Races themselves.

The future of the TT is always in doubt with regards to the safety. In 2007 the TT will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Currently there is a Hollywood blockbuster being developed on the TT. Rumours have started to spread of a well-known sports car manufacturer supporting the event in the future.

A special note about the TT is that the late rally driver Tony Pond drove a standard production Rover 827 Vitesse during his second bid to be the first person to lap the Isle of Man TT circuit at over 100mph in a four wheeled vehicle.

Tony, an Isle of Man resident and one of Britain's most famous rally drivers, almost made it during his attempt in 1988.

For his 1990 challenge he chose to do it without a navigator. This meant a useful weight-saving – particularly effective on the 1000 feet climb from sea-level to the highest point on the circuit – but would require Tony to have perfect memory and knowledge of the TT course's 100+ bends in order to break the record.