[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Fatality every year? I believe they have run about 90 TT's, and have suffered about 240 fatalities. Lost another young rider this year in practice.

Damn near lost one of the best last year, Guy Martin. The fastest guy to have not yet won a TT. He crashed at damn near 200 mph and the bike exploded into a fireball, resulting in the first red flag of the TT ever, in its entire history. He was back on a bike and racing again within weeks. Here he is, guiding us around the mountain course on what was then the record lap:



Yes, he is speaking English. It takes awhile to get into his groove and begin to understand what he's saying.

The TT is certainly a different kind of race, for a different kind of man. Martin mentioned in an interview I saw a couple of years ago that several of the top riders only buy one way ferry tickets to get to the island. I saw an interview with the Americans who have ridden there for several years, wherein they said an American will never win. Not because they can't learn the 37 mile course, but because they are not as willing to die for it. This is the last race left on earth where that truly remains a factor, and not just braggadocio. Incredible.

I'm getting old...this seems crazy to me ! Is it worth risking killing yourself and maybe some spectators standing right next to the road ??