Iomtt23

[dlockhart]

It's that time again.

[dlockhart]

[Eric Hahl]

I used to love this stuff. Watched it all the time. As I've gotten older though, I quit watching. If you crash in certain sections of the track there is zero chance you survive. 180-200mph straight into a building. No thank you. This is a stupid race that kills 6 or more participants every year. Utterly ridiculous.
JMHO.

266 fatalities and counting.

[Jeff Higgins]

"The only race that matters."

I've been absolutely enthralled by this race since I first heard about it as a kid in the '60's. My younger son and I went and spent the week there four years ago. There is nothing else like it.

And, well, nothing else like the attitude of the participants, community, and fans. "Ridiculous"? That is not how they see it. No one is forced to participate. No one is forced to watch. All are proud of the fact that this one race, this one week, is a big giant thumb in the eye of the "safety police" (as they call them).

In a vastly over-sanitized world, as their council chairman explained in an interview many years ago, some people still feel some inner need to challenge themselves at this level. Like climbing Mt Everest and similar "ridiculous" pursuits. The IOM simply provides such men and women an outlet for that, a way to fulfill that "need". When participants quit signing up for it, when fans quit watching, they will quit running. At the present, however, they turn away three for every that compete. It is showing no signs of slowing down. And, well, they have absolutely no plans for giving in to the hand-wringers who demand they stop. Again, no one has to watch. No one has to participate.

They have now run the TT just over 100 times and, yes, are approaching 270 deaths. That's hardly "6 or more participants every year" (pretty simple math...). Last year, in its post-COVID return, they did lose six competitors (maybe most tragically, a father/son on a sidecar). It has, however, in these modern times, become a much less frequent occurrence than in years past. In the modern era of the TT, they can go years without losing a single rider. Riders are better vetted (one must pass rather stringent requirements to be allowed to compete these days), better safety measures are in place, etc. They are making an effort.

It does, however, remain exceedingly dangerous. No one denies that. Yet, for those who choose to pursue these kinds of challenges, it maintains an unshakeable allure. More power to 'em. Long live the TT. We plan to go back.

My son and I for the Senior TT at Creg Ny Baa:

[Rawknees'Turbo]

I've always wondered how they get around the course so quickly with such supersized gonads dragging behind them.

[GH85Carrera]

More my style!

[Zeke]

Well, Jeff, he did say it was "JMHO." Did that call for a 7 paragraphs of defense? Grading all things dangerous and extreme, add in jet wing suits. Or jaywalking in Los Angeles.

[Jeff Higgins]

None of that was directed specifically at Eric. He does, however, echo an attitude concerning the TT that is held by many. He is certainly entitled to his opinion, as is everyone else. The problem in this particular instance (the TT) is that quite often those who call it "stupid" follow up by saying it should be "banned". That really strikes a nerve with those who participate in, and follow, the TT.

I'm a huge fan, no apologies, and I will take every opportunity to "defend" the TT (not that they need me, they do a fine job of that without my help). When someone calls something I love "stupid" and "utterly ridiculous", I will come to its defense. Even if it is just their opinion. No hard feelings, no animosity, but I'm certainly not going to just let it slide. I think most of us would defend something we love against such attacks. At least I hope we would.

There is a clear delineation between "dangerous" and "stupid". There are certainly things that are both, that are only dangerous because they are stupid. Jaywalking in L.A., yes - dangerous because it's stupid. Jet wing suits? Not so much. Everyone involved knows exactly what they are doing, is well aware of the risks. None of them are "stupid" by any means.

Same with the TT. Nobody there is "stupid". To call them that is childish and, well, "stupid" in its own right. If it's not for you, great, don't watch. Just don't insult the participants by calling them "stupid".

[mjohnson]

I do dearly want to go see this event - surely "level-heads" will risk-manage any time now and at some point the TT will be gone. To me though, it's kind of on the scale of the old rally "crowds running out of the way of the airborne cars!/gruppe-B nonsense)". And by that - awesome!

Consenting adults should be given the freedom to do what consenting adults do. Cars, sex, whatever...

[Jeff Higgins]

That has been a concern, mjohnson. There have been efforts to put an end to the TT for decades. Send it the way of the Targa Florio, the Monte Carlo Rallye, and other such events. "Outdated", "barbaric", a "blood sport" and all of that.

Well, those who would like to put an end to it have nothing to do with it. Why they would even care is beyond me. Actually, I think we all know why - there are just those sorts among us. Overly interested in other's well being. At least that's their cover story... it really boils down to an innate desire to tell others what they can and cannot do.

Fortunately, the Isle of Man is in a unique position. Many believe they are a part of the U.K. They are not. They never have been. It never joined the European Union either. The Island is a self-governing British Crown Dependency. So are Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Each has its own parliament, government, currency, and laws. Interestingly, the IOM accepts British pounds, but not the other way around.

What this means is that the IOM governs itself. They are not beholden to anyone else. They are fiercely independent, loathe to accept any direction, even any suggestion, from the U.K. or anyone else.

The TT is deeply rooted in their heritage. That, and it pretty much pays for everything else on the island, along with the Manx TT in the fall (the vintage bike equivalent). They are proud of their TT and the defiance which it represents. They see themselves as unique in this modern world and, quite frankly, they are. In a very refreshing way.

[GH85Carrera]

I read one article that said many of the riders going to participate only buy a one way ticket because they know the odds of surviving the event are not great.

They all know up front, it is an insane speed event, and a slight error can take their life. Much like the flying squirrel suit base jumping parachutists flying close to the tree tops or next to a cliff. It is just a risky thing to do.

If they are adults, consenting to a very risky event, let em race. They are in a county that says it is 100% legal.

[Jeff Higgins]

In their second week already. The "usual suspects" - Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, and Michael Dunlop have been on fire. All three knocking on the door of 135 mph laps. Hickman hit 202 mph through the speed trap on the Sulby Straight, just north of Kirk Michael, on the west side of the island. First guy to top 200 mph on the island. Lap records are falling almost every time these guys go out. One of the best years in recent memory.

[dlockhart]

[Baz]

Amazing.......

[Zeke]

Never watching again after the hoax video.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Never watching again after the hoax video.

Whats that?

[Jeff Higgins]

Michael Dunlop was on fire this year. Many had written him off as no longer capable on the big bikes, as becoming a small bike (the 600 Super Sports and Super Twins) specialist. He put all of that to rest this year. Broke his late uncle Joey's record and now stands as the winningest rider in TT history. And he's an Irishman...