Isle of Man

[MOTV8]

This is a little off topic for a car forum, but I know there are some riders here. If you like motorcycle racing, and I do obviously, then you might already know about the Isle of Man. If you've never seen the races held there, then do yourself a favor and rent a DVD or search Youtube. Words cannot do this justice. Straight Insanity. Flat out racing at speeds up to 200 mph on a 266 turn, 38 mile (per LAP!) course over public roads with rock walls, telephone poles, shear drop-offs, freaking jumps, and bad weather. People die. Almost every year. 'Regular' racers think these guys are nucking futs. Hell, they even still race sidehacks with the "monkey" jumping from side to side there.

On this date, 101 years ago, the 1st Auto-Cycle Union Tourist Trophy race was held. The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race, commonly known as the “TT,” is an event that has been held on the Isle of Man since 1907. The race is run in time trials on public roads on the northern part of the island, and the public is invited to watch the races for free at designated points around the course. The race is attended by motorcycle racing enthusiasts from all over the world who flock to the island every year during the last week in May through the first week in June.The inaugural race was called the International Tourist Trophy and was held on May 28, 1907, and was organized by the Auto-Cycle Club (now known as the Auto Cycle Union, or ACU). It was run over ten laps of the of 15 mile, 1470 yard St. John’s Short Course, which is south of the current course, and was designed for road-legal touring motorcycles.

The winner of the single-cylinder class, and overall winner of the first event in 1907, was Charlie Collier, in the time of 4 hours, 8 minutes and 8 seconds. His average race speed was 38.21 mph. The winner of the twin-cylinder class was Rem Fowler, with a time of 4 hours 21 minutes and 52 seconds at an average race speed of 36.21 mph.

The Marquis De Mouzilly St. Mars donated the trophy that was presented to the winner of the race. It had a model of the Greek god Hermes riding a winged wheel, and was fashioned after the Montague Trophy, which was given to the winner of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy car race. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars Trophy is now presented every year to the winner of the Isle of Man TT.

Last year was the 100th Anniversary TT race, which was held between May 26 and June 8, 2007. There was a special re-enactment of the 1907 TT. Held on the village green next to Tynwald Hill in St. John’s on May 28, 2007, the parade of 100 vintage motorcycles re-enacted the original St. John’s Short Course race. It was flagged away by Geoff Duke, the former World Motorcycle Champion. The first of the riders to ride the course was on the recently restored Rem Fowler twin-cylinder Peugeot-Norton, which was ridden in the first Isle of Man TT. Also participating in the re-enactment was TT race competitor Guy Martin, riding a 1938 Triumph Tiger 100. Other former TT competitors also completed the re-enactment lap.

The first TT race over the Snaefell Mountain Course, or “Mountain Course,” was in 1911. The course is 37.73 miles (60.72 km) long and the highest point of the course climbs quickly to 422 meters above sea level. The course includes a number of public roads, and all roads included in the course are closed at 9 a.m. during race times and reopened again at 6 p.m., and also opened for one hour during the noon lunch break. The roads are closed for racing by the provisions of an Act of Tynwald (the parliament of the Isle of Man) during the official race times. The course in manned by volunteer Marshals throughout the route. These marshals are vital to the safety and competent running of the race, and are trained comprehensively in Incident Management Control and first aid. 1923 was the introduction of a race for amateurs run on the same Mountain Course. It was known as the Manx Amateur Motorcycle Road Races until 1930, when the name was changed to the Manx Grand Prix.

Two separate races were introduced for the 1911 event: a four-lap race (150.92 miles) for 300cc single-cylinder and 340cc twin cylinder motorcycles. It was the first event on the new course, had 35 entries, and was won by Percy J. Evans. His winning time was 3 hours, 37 minutes and 7 seconds, at an average speed of 41.45 mph. A new race was open for 500cc single-cylinder and 585cc twin-cylinder motor-cycles called the “Senior TT,” and was run over five laps of the Snaefell Mountain Course. The technical challenges of the Mountain Course forced entrants and motorcycle manufacturers to change everything about their motorcycles. The Indian Motorcycle Company of the U.S.A. installed a two-speed gearbox and chain-drive, an innovation at the time. This proved to be the winning combination when they won the 1911 Senior TT race in 3 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds, with an average speed of 47.63 mph.

Now, in modern races, TT racing motorcycles complete the Snaefell course at an average speed exceeding 120 mph (193km/h). Record holders include David Jefferies, who set a lap record of 127.29 mph (204.81km/h) in 2002. John McGuinness, on a Yamaha R1, improved upon this record during the 2004 TT riding a Yamaha R1. He set a new record time of 17 minutes 43.8 seconds, with an average lap speed of 127.68 mph (205.43km/h). He went on to set yet another record at the 2007 TT, with a time of 17 minutes 21.99, with an average speed of 130.35mph (209.35km/h). The most successful rider of all time was Joey Dunlop, who won 26 times in various classes from 1977 to 2000 (he recently passed away after a practice crash).

This year's event is underway, with practice sessions this week, the first races begin this Saturday. Scope this vid from last year's 100th running for a quick taste: 2007 Review

[goldenC4]

Oh yeah, I've been a big fan of the TT for years. Too bad Nascar TV.. err "Speed TV" won't broadcast any of the races anymore.

A good friend of mine is from the Isle of Man. She has some pretty crazy stories about the races there!

[ChadC]

thank you I have now just wasted 20 min watching videos on youtube.

chad

[Hotrod]

That is some cool racing for sure

[MOTV8]

thank you I have now just wasted 20 min watching videos on youtube.

chad

Only 20? Perhaps you should visit Streetfire as well...

Here's an excellent 18 minute on-board lap, even has cool telemetry included: One lap at Isle of Man

Enjoy the vicarious adrenaline rush, then get back to work CaHd!

[Guest Sidewinder]

AWESOME!

I remember watching it a few years ago. A guy on a ZX-10R catch and pass a squid on a r1, It was cool as hell. I was cheering green all the way!!

[Big Poppa]

I've been watching that for years. I agree, nuckin futs, but awesome racing.