Isle Of Man TT - Madness or Thrill Overload?

[Bushmiller]

I have found myself in the course of the last couple of weeks pointing people in the direction of the Isle of man TT races. It is an insane series of races. I am not quite sure why I feel the need to bring it to people's notice, but I do. If you are already a fan, just go straight to the video link if you have not already seen it. It really is a treat in many ways.

If you have not heard of the races or only heard in passing, I will have to fill you in on a few details. It is a series of races run over the course of a week. It is a road circuit that is quite narrow and over 37 miles (approx 60Km) long. The longest race goes for six laps. The lap record currently stands at 135mph (217Kph) and is completed in 16mins 42 secs. The mountain section of the race is longer than the complete Bathurst race circuit to put things into perspective. This link below is to a complete on board lap by Peter Hickman, who is the outright lap record holder. It was his last lap of the 2018 Senior TT. He started out five seconds behind the leader and came through to win by two seconds. He put the commentary to the video subsequently and the voice over is a treat in itself and quite revealing. So listen carefully as he describes when the bike does a wheelie (not always obvious on the film), often the sort of speeds he reaches (around 185 to 190mph) and the times when he is airborne (Ballaugh Bridge is a leap of 50m or more). Please enjoy:

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_hxwAanX0)

A little more information: The riders used to start off in pairs but now they go off individually at ten second intervals and as such are riding against the clock and themselves. This is because the course is very tight and does not lend itself to groups of vehicles except perhaps on the mountain section, which is quite a bit wider.

The course is dangerous. Many riders have been killed: Over 250. Until 1974 it was a part of the GP circuit, but the difficulty of learning the circuit and the lack of safety prompted a boycott of the course. Giacomo Agostini, himself a ten times winner, was a prominent detractor and refused to ride there any more. Many other riders joined him in this stance. In 1976 it was formally removed from the GP race circuit.

The racing is held over two weeks. The first week is for the practice sessions and in the second week racing occurs every other day. The only other similar spectacle I have ever witnessed is the Vingt Quatre Heures Du Mans (Le Man 24Hrs). It is now a long time since I have watched the IOM TT races, but I was fortunate the last time seeing Mike Hailwood's return to the Island to win on the works Ducati: Absolutely amazing.

Regards
Paul

[aldav]

There are none as brave (or is that stupid?) as motorcycle racers, and certainly none as totally insane as those who race the Isle of Man. The skill and daring of motorcycle racers never ceases to enthrall me. I'm with you mate. :2tsup: I don't care whether it's Superbikes, Moto GP, speedway, whatever, I love it.

[aldav]

Anybody who loves motor sport must have seen this, but if you haven't - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsk-5VGx5sc) - they should never have been allowed to seal that stretch of road. :no:

[taz01]

The thing i find amusing about the TT race is that many of the top racers are locals. They would no doubt be practising outside of the race season with the added complication of other traffic

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[Bushmiller]

Taz

It is not quite as simple to learn the course as that and many of the best riders are not from the IOM. The problem is that although you can ride the complete course any day of the week it is very different to taking a racing line using both sides of the road. Having said that, when I was last there over forty years ago it was possible on "Mad Sunday," which was the first Sunday in the second week, to ride a racing line over the mountain as it was made one way just for that time. It was not the full length of the course by a long stretch.

460861

The difficulty in learning the course was because a new rider would only get three laps of practice before the race. Even an accomplished rider could not learn the track in that time.

I remember reaching around 100mph and having people go past me like I was standing still. I was a very fearful rider completely devoid of instinctive riding skill.

In an earlier visit when I had not been riding long I was following a colleague around the course. He told me to follow him and do just what he did. Unfortunately I followed a little too closely. On the run down the hill to Creg-ny-Baa a policeman had stepped out into the road and was waving the traffic off the road as they were clearing it for the first race. The colleague slammed on the anchors and so did I. As we came to a halt my front tyre just touched his and unbalanced me. At zero mph the bike fell over. :D

Unfortunately this was a favourite spot for spectators who were all perched around the corner ready for the race. My "tumble" brought a round of applause I could have managed without. :(

Regards
Paul

[Chris Parks]

The TT is madness at the highest level but no one is forced to run in the event and Guy Martin has retired and perhaps family responsibilities have forced that. Irish road racing is a close second in the madness stakes but perhaps that is a national trait.....?
We raced Superkarts and a lot of people reckon the same thing applies to them as well


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU-ynRoqDEs

[cava]

One of our members here has actually done the course competitively. I will leave it to him to out himself.

[rrich]

Anybody who loves motor sport must have seen this, but if you haven't - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsk-5VGx5sc) - they should never have been allowed to seal that stretch of road. :no:

In July or August 1958 my father drove our family to the top of Pikes Peak. It was in a 1958 Chevy Bel Air with a V8 and Powerglide transmission. All I can remember was my mother, the world class back seat driver who never moved from the front passenger seat, screaming and yelling that my father was driving too fast and the rocks from the dirt road were chipping the paint on the car. I had just turned 16 but didn't have a driver license yet.

Almost 2 years later, I cured my mother of back seat driving. That's another story and I'm not sure where to put it. And yet another how I cured SWMBO of a similar affliction.

As for the Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy races, some years we get them. Watching them requires nerves of steel. You're watching and about to scream as the biker pulls of an incredible move.

[Lappa]

O
Anybody who loves motor sport must have seen this, but if you haven't - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsk-5VGx5sc) - they should never have been allowed to seal that stretch of road. :no:

Yep, one of the all time classics. Not the same since the tar went down. Curse the Sierra Club:((

This is another one I like

YouTube (https://youtu.be/rxjD_KWmxXE)

[Bushmiller]

I am probably opening Pandora's box here, but on a list of racing madness I would have to include:

Le Mans 24Hrs
Bold d'Or (held on the Le mans circuit but with bikes)
Mille Miglia
Targa Florio
Pike's Peak
The Baja
Dakar Rally

When I think about it, motor racing and motorcycling is fraught with danger. Period. Some of the above events no longer exist in their original guise.

Regards
Paul

[Simplicity]

I am probably opening Pandora's box here, but on a list of racing madness I would have to include:

Le Mans 24Hrs
Bold d'Or (held on the Le mans circuit but with bikes)
Mille Miglia
Targa Florio
Pike's Peak
The Baja
Dakar Rally

When I think about it, motor racing and motorcycling is fraught with danger. Period. Some of the above events no longer exist in their original guise.

Regards
Paul

I personally think the Dakar would have to be the most demanding.
Especially for the bikers.
But don’t also forget land speed record racing
Unfortunately this was news just resent.

Jessi Combs, jet-car racer and MythBusters host, dies in crash while trying to break speed record - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-29/jet-car-racer-and-mythbusters-host-jessi-combs-dies-in-crash/11459476?pfmredir=sm)

She was trying to break the woman’s speed record of 823 Kph [emoji17][emoji17]

Cheers Matt,

[notevensquare]

Original Dakar was awesome - back 5 or 10 years ago when it wasn't quite some commercial and the drivers and riders had to help fixed there gear but unfortunately like Ocean Sailing Racing they need for big returns from sponsors has made it more mainstream.

I watched some old movies from Paris to Dakar from the 80s those guys did it tough sleeping on the course and waiting up to 2 days for the support vehicles to catch up if there was a problem, the best one was the bike rider used to carry pistols for wild animals,

IOM TT is insane so fast on such a small track.

[clear out]

I’ve was into bikes and raced them and cars as a younger person in the 60s and 70s.
Also raced karts at OP with Phil Wards Wednesday circus after hearing about it at a mates 50th.
Talked the missus into it as you can’t roll a kart. I managed to after being cetrepunched after a cold tyre spin whilst heading the pack.
So here we are on our Italian trip in quiet little Mantua which was just a pleasant spot between Venice and Milan. I’m down the main square and locals are putting up barriers so I ask what’s happening.
The Mila Miglia was coming thru that arvo. We settled in at a outdoor restaurant with suitable refreshment.
H

[rrich]

Oh, Just to be able to see those magnificent machines . . . . . .

[Mr Brush]

There are several points on the IOM TT course designed to remind riders that neither the brakes nor the steering work when both wheels are off the ground. :oo:

I remember watching this some time ago

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsZBXlTHPCg)

Very funny, but also very sad.