"The Only Race that Matters" Isle of Mann TT

[Jeff Higgins]

It's that time of year again. I've travelled halfway around the world to see this, and will do so again someday. Nothing else like it in so many ways, and it's not just the speed nor the danger. Dripping with history, tradition, and an unshakeable quaint, "hometown" kind of a vibe. Best of luck to everyone this year.

[Bob Kontak]

In Vic Elford's how to drive fast book i think he said that on the Mulsanne straight he would try not to think about what would happen if something went wrong at 200+ mph.

These guys don't have much time to ponder.

Always thrilling just to watch any YouTube videos.

[Dpmulvan]

One of the best TT videos.

[VINMAN]

Joey Dunlop's on board camera footage as he explains what he's doing during a lap is probably the coolest videp I've seen of that race.

.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

One of the best TT videos.

I had to turn the audio down, but great visuals.

[Jeff Higgins]

Peter Hickman's lap record of 136.358 mph from 2023:



And remember, the camera tends to slow it down a bit.

[VINMAN]

[zakthor]

It sure looks awesome but… i just dont see how its possible. Are the crazy motorcyclists also ultra responsible?

isnt it going to be cancelled after some horrific accident? Racing through those little towns? I wish im wrong.

[Jeff Higgins]

I've watched several interviews over the years regarding the TT with whomever happened to be the Chief Minister on the Isle of Mann at the time. Each and every one of them has been adamant that the TT will go on. Their position is, essentially, that no one is forced to compete. They turn down three times the number who actually do make the list to compete. They have all said that when they quit coming, we will quit hosting the TT. They have also addressed the "safety police" as they call them, and how they have ruined so many things in this world. They vow that the TT will never be one of them. If they don't like it, no one is forcing them to watch.

They liken it to climbing Mt Everest, and other similarly risky endeavors. They recognize that there will always be a class of people who seek out such risks. They will provide that venue so long as there are those who wish to test themselves in this manner.

The Isle of Mann is what is known as a "British Crown Protectorate". Pretty much independent, like Canada, Australia, and Ireland. They make their own law, independent of British Parliament. They even have their own money (you can spend British pounds there, but the UK does not accept IOM pounds). As such, no Act of Parliament will ever carry the authority to cancel the TT.

The TT is in no danger of going anywhere.

[Jeff Higgins]

Yeah... Crap... Peter Hickman was medi- vac'd to hospital after going off in qualifying today. Alert and responsive, so prayers and fingers crossed...

[otto_kretschmer]

Don't want to be a wet blanket, but you know..



We need more docs like Dr. Hinds, RIP

[herr_oberst]

^ That's Jorge Lorenzo crashing in the thumbnail above during a Moto GP event. I didn't watch the video, but, as the British would say, as different as chalk and cheese.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

^ That's Jorge Lorenzo crashing in the thumbnail above during a Moto GP event. I didn't watch the video, but, as the British would say, as different as chalk and cheese.

well, maybe you should watch it

it's not about motogp

[Jeff Higgins]

Yes, Dr. Hinds... his services are greatly missed.

The Irish Open Road Series are a full-up professional road racing series run exclusively on public roads. The Isle of Mann TT is just one of their stops, if not the most famous of their stops.

The series is kind of an enigma. All of the same concerns, of course, that folks express over the IOM TT, with all of its dangers. Michael Dunlop's brother William died racing that series, as did his uncle Joey. I believe both lost their lives at the Northern 200.

I don't think there is another racing series left anywhere on Earth other than WRC that still runs on public roads. Oh, maybe some other rallies, like Paris-Dakar (now held in South America, but interestingly with the same name), the Baja 500 and 1,000, but no road racing that I'm aware of. And, no, F1 and Indycar "street" circuits don't count as "open road racing".

From the outside looking in, there is a lot of "crazy" going on here, accompanied by "they shouldn't be allowed to do that". Allowed??!! By who? As long as there are those among us who would like to test themselves like this, they should not have to seek other's permission. For those who don't like it, there are plenty of other things to do that day.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I've watched several interviews over the years regarding the TT with whomever happened to be the Chief Minister on the Isle of Mann at the time. Each and every one of them has been adamant that the TT will go on. Their position is, essentially, that no one is forced to compete. They turn down three times the number who actually do make the list to compete. They have all said that when they quit coming, we will quit hosting the TT. They have also addressed the "safety police" as they call them, and how they have ruined so many things in this world. They vow that the TT will never be one of them. If they don't like it, no one is forcing them to watch.

They liken it to climbing Mt Everest, and other similarly risky endeavors. They recognize that there will always be a class of people who seek out such risks. They will provide that venue so long as there are those who wish to test themselves in this manner.

The Isle of Mann is what is known as a "British Crown Protectorate". Pretty much independent, like Canada, Australia, and Ireland. They make their own law, independent of British Parliament. They even have their own money (you can spend British pounds there, but the UK does not accept IOM pounds). As such, no Act of Parliament will ever carry the authority to cancel the TT.

The TT is in no danger of going anywhere.

Im not worried even a little bit about the riders im worried for the residents. Bits of bike at those speeds are shrapnel. Does everyone go in a bunker? Or are their mandatory evacuation zones?

In the video of the cute kid on the trackside hay bale gave me the whillies.

Same reason they cancelled group b.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I've watched several interviews over the years regarding the TT with whomever happened to be the Chief Minister on the Isle of Mann at the time. Each and every one of them has been adamant that the TT will go on. Their position is, essentially, that no one is forced to compete.

The TT is a cash cow for the Isle of Man. When the fans stop going to the event and renting the rooms at marked up prices and spending all the tourist money then they will cancel the event.

I won't go to the TT. Its like watching guys play Russian roulette. Not my cup of tea. I'd rather spend that time on a motorcycle tour in Ireland or the UK.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I don't think there is another racing series left anywhere on Earth other than WRC that still runs on public roads.

WRC cars are piloted by a 2-person team. The driver is continuously told what to expect at each upcoming section of the stage and at each corner so they're able to maintain maximum pace.

How are these IoM racers able to put up such incredible lap times with over 200 corners to deal with? Do they actually memorize the entire lap, or are they just pushing as hard as they dare and counting on their ability to 'read' the course as they go along?

[Jeff Higgins]

Yes, each and every rider has absolutely memorized the entire course. Every crack in the pavement, every bit of shade cast by every tree at every time of day. All of it. Those guys have hundreds, even thousands of laps around the 26 mile mountain course. Qualifications to even compete there are very, very strict. Like I said above, they turn away three for every one who is accepted.

The residents know the risks. They know them very, very well. And they revel in it. People who think that the TT only lives on because it is a "cash cow" for the island have absolutely no idea what this event means to them. Most never see a dime from the event. They would run it at a loss if it ever came to that, so long as the riders keep showing up.

It actually creates quite the disruption for their day to day activities when the course is closed to public access so they can race. They have to get to and from work during the time allowed for public transit on the course, they have to get all of their errands run, the school buses have to run, farm equipment needs to be moved, deliveries need to be made, and all of that day to day public road stuff. Kind of a monstrous pain in the ass, really. Yet they love it. They wouldn't have it any other way. They love their TT for reasons outsiders will never full grasp.

[Bill Douglas]

One of my dog walking buddies is a Triumph 650 fan. Him and a bunch of others load their Triumphs into a container and send it off to London. So when they arrive the bikes are already there then they goto Isle of Man for the racing, do a ride around England/Scotland/Wales then off to Europe so they can enjoy the full benefits of the Triumphs down the autobahn (joking), and they make a real holiday of it each or most years.

[berettafan]

Love what this represents to humanity. Truly a holdout from a time when the nannies weren’t in control. God bless these crazy people!

There is also some intersting spectator video from folks visiting via bike. They have to get to their campsite before roads close. Neat stuff all around.