WHEN, in 1904, the lawmakers of the Isle of Man allowed the roads of the rocky outcrop in the Irish Sea to be closed for car time trials, they could not have possibly envisaged what the Gordon Bennett races would become. They had just created motorcycling's Mecca.
This week sees the latest staging of the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races, held on the Snaefell Mountain Circuit, the oldest motorcycle track still in use. Each lap is 37 and three quarter miles long, climbs from sea level to 1,300 feet and cont
ains over 200 bends – all on public roads with stone walls and buildings acting as barriers in the main.
For an island of 80,000 residents, the influx of petrolheads is an annual highlight as well as a cornerstone of the economy. Last year's centenary of the TT races brought 60,000 visitors and £48million to the island.
The event has come a long way from the moment, back in 1907, that the Auto Cycle Club, frustrated by being unable to stage a British motorcycle race on the mainland, turned to the Isle of Man on the back of the successful Gordon Bennett races. The world's most dangerous event was born and continues to thrive, despite losing its world championship status more than 30 years ago.
Take Saturday's racing, for example. The opening race of this year's TT was the Dainese Superbike race in which Guy Martin had opened up a ten-second advantage before mechanical problems forced him to retire. "Frustrated isn't the word to describe how I feel," said Martin. "Leading the TT by ten seconds, I was comfortable, just sat watching the world, not pushing too hard, just doing what I had to do to win the race. Then with three laps to go the crankshaft shoots – what can you do? You can't do anything – at least I am here to tell the tale."
And that's the crux of the matter. The inherent danger of road racing is its most alluring but most controversial feature. Last year saw the death total at the Isle of Man TT rise to 224 since 1907. With no run-off areas, customary at regular racing circuits, a mistake or mechanical fault could be fatal. Even the greatest cannot last forever in road racing. Joey Dunlop, who holds the record for Isle of Man wins with 26, died in 2000 after crashing in Tallinn, Estonia. His younger brother, Robert, was killed only last month at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland.
Safety – for riders and spectators – is paramount, which is why practice sessions last week were cancelled due to bad weather. Still, there is always plenty for people to do throughout the day and night during the TT. For those at a loose end this Thursday evening, tickets are still available to see indie band Athlete perform on the island. No such luck for tomorrow's Status Quo gig, however, which is sold out.
And when racing concludes on Saturday, the island will return to normality. At least the sort one can expect on an island that has no speed limits on stretches of roads and can count Nigel Mansell and Jeremy Clarkson as homeowners.
The full article contains 548 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
