Isle of Man TT - 2018
Greetings to all my fellow 4-wheel & 2-wheel racing enthusiast fans, and for any Isle of Man TT Motorcycle racing fans. Well yes indeed everyone, this is indeed real... and it actually happens every year & I might add, has done so since 28th May 1907.
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On some sections of the road course, fans can literally be within inches of riders doing in excess of 100mph. |
For many years the Isle of Man TT races are regarded as the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world & also considered the 'Most Dangerous Race in the World'.
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Me outside my Isle of Man B&B-style accommodation, the Strathmore on Clifton Terrace in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man Photo: John Cannon |
The Isle of Man will enchant first-time visitors with its craggy coastline dotted with medieval forts, towers, and castles. You can fly there, but the best views are aboard ferries arriving from Ireland or the UK. Its waterfront capital of Douglas is a great place to explore the island’s proud seafaring past. Heading inland you’ll find mysterious glens and forests and a single mountain that are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
How did the "King of the Mountain" die? Joey Dunlop. 1952-2000. Joey Dunlop died in Tallin, Estonia in 2000 while leading a 125cc race. (He had already won the 750cc & 600cc events). He appeared to lose control of his bike in the wet conditions & died instantly on impact with trees. Northern Island Television carried live coverage of his funeral. 50,000 mourners attended the funeral procession.
I have been to the Indianapolis 500 (6-times), Daytona 500, NASCAR, Bathurst V8 supercars and Formula 1 races throughout the world, dirt track speedway racing & trust me there is nothing like the TT motorcycle racing on the Isle of Man and that is precisely why I am going back for more in 2022.
The most adrenaline-fueled activity is the Isle of Man TT, it's a death defying, hair-raising motorcycle race. The length of one lap around the open road racing circuit is 37.73 miles or 60.72 kilometres. The course passes over the summit of Snaefell, the islands only mountain, towering more than 2,000 feet above sea level.
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Here I am in Dan Kneen's Tyco garage. Dan Kneen performed so well as a stand-in rider for Tyco BMW at the Ulster Grand Prix that he was signed up to ride for the team full-time in 2018. Photo: John Cannon |
When I attended the 2018 Isle of Man races, I witnessed Peter Hickman record the lap record at 16 minutes & 42 seconds, a phenomenal 135mph or 217km/h.
Since the inaugural race in 1907 there have been over 255 deaths on the race course. In 2016 alone, five riders died during practice & race week.
If all goes well & to plan & this wretched Covid Virus is somewhat under control I have already booked for the 2022 TT races on the Isle of Man.
Once you have experienced this TT motorcycle racing it gets into your blood & you can't get enough of it.
At the beginning of this video the young American man comments about the spectator sitting on the hedge next to the track on the main straight with the bikes flashing by him only inches away at over 200mph or 321km/h. Yes, that is what the thrill is all about for me.
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Standing beside Champion TT racer Joey Dunlop's sculpture. Joey Dunlop was the "King of the Mountain" by winning the TT race on 26 occasions Photo: John Cannon |
I have been to the Indianapolis 500 (6-times), Daytona 500, NASCAR, Bathurst V8 supercars and Formula 1 races throughout the world, dirt track speedway racing & trust me there is nothing like the TT motorcycle racing on the Isle of Man and that is precisely why I am going back for more in 2022.
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| Me, perched among the foliage on the hedgerow and closely watching the bikes power back up to 'straight speed' after negotiating the nearby Creg-ny-Baa corner. Here you really get the sensation of speed. Photo: John Cannon |
During lockdown when you are looking for something to do, you may want to go back in my blog & check out my coverage of when I attended the 2018 Isle of Man TT races.
At the very bottom of this page, I have posted the links to all those 2018 stories. Click on each individual one to travel back through time and look at the track-side adventures that I wrote about and some great accompanying photographs that suit.
Okay, I have got a bit carried away with this story, however if you ever have the chance to attend the TT races on the Isle of Man make certain you do it, it is a 'must do item' for your automotive bucket list.
Cheers from the 'Squire' from the locked down Shire.
Warbo
MORE READING: To view any of my nine Warbo's Blog posts from the 2018 Isle of Man TT races, click on any of the individual links below...
