Isle of Man TT
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| Isle of Man Tourist Trophy | |
| Region | Isle of Man |
| Last date | 30 May to 12 June 2015 |
| Next date | 28 May to 10 June 2016 |
| Type | Road Course |
| Clerk of the Course | Gary Thompson MBE BEM |
| Event Organiser | ACU Events Ltd |
| Principal sponsor | Isle of Man Department of Economic Development |
| History | |
| First race | 1907 |
| Number of races | 96 (through 2015) |
| First winner | Charles R. Collier (1907) |
| Most wins | Joey Dunlop 26 (1977–2000) |
| Lap record | John McGuinness 17 minutes, 3.567 seconds 132.701 mph or 213.562 km/h (2015) |
The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races are an annual motorcycle road racing event traditionally held on the Isle of Man in the last week of May for practice and the first week of June as race week with many supporting attractions, gatherings and other events taking place.
For many years regarded as the most prestigious and oldest motorcycle race in the world,[1] it has been reported as the most dangerous motorcycle road-race in the world.[2][3][4][5][6][7] When interviewed by his local newspaper in 2015, 23-times TT winner John McGuinness stated: "The TT is the biggest most dangerous thing for me and I have my family around me for it".[8]
The event was part of the FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship from 1949–1976 before the Grand Prix-status event was transferred to the United Kingdom after safety concerns over the TT course with factory-contracted riders compulsorily competing, and involving a riders' boycott.[9] The FIM as ruling body transferred the World Championship round to Silverstone in mainland England as the British Grand Prix from 1977.[9] The TT races continued independently but became part of the TT Formula 1 Championship from 1977 to 1990 to preserve the event's competition status. From 1989 the racing has been developed by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism as the Isle of Man TT Festival, and traditionally concludes on the Friday of race week with the Blue Riband event, the prestigious Senior TT race.
Contents
- 1 Description
- 2 Origins
- 3 Early Isle of Man TT race history from 1904
- 4 Format of the races
- 5 Practice sessions
- 6 Race schedule
- 7 TT course official vehicles
- 8 Crossing places during practice and races
- 9 TT Course Access Road
- 10 Safety and danger
- 11 Total overall race winners
- 12 FIM Championship Rounds (1949–1976)
- 13 Current lap records
- 14 Current race records
- 15 Awards in 2015
- 16 See also
- 17 Notes
- 18 External links
Description[edit]
The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races are run in a time-trial format on public roads closed for racing by the Road Racing Act 1982 (Isle of Man) an Act of Tynwald. Since 1911 the Isle of Man TT races have been held on the 37.73-mile (60.72 km)[10] Snaefell Mountain Course consisting of a number of public roads closed for racing.
The Oxford Companion to World Sports and Games notes:
The oldest motor-cycle racing circuit still in use is the Snaefell Mountain Course over which the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races are run. Starting at the town of Douglas on the south-east coast, the course takes a wide sweep to the west and north to enter the town of Ramsey on the north-east coast and thence return to the starting point, each lap measuring 373⁄4 miles (60.7 km) and taking in over 200 bends while climbing from sea level to an altitude of over 1,300 ft (396 m). This circuit is the epitome of the natural road course, all the roads used being ordinary public highways closed for the racing and practice sessions.[11]
During race week, the TT races create a carnival atmosphere with picnicking spectators flanking vantage points on the circuit similar to other community festivals in another form of cycle racing — the Tour de Yorkshire and Le Tour de France.
Origins[edit]
During the 1906 International Cup for Motor Cycles held in Austria, the event was plagued by accusations of cheating and sharp practices. A conversation on the train journey home between the Secretary of the Auto-Cycle Club, Freddie Straight, brothers Charlie Collier and Harry Collier from the Matchless motorcycle company and the Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars, led to a suggestion for a race in the following year for road touring motorcycles to be held in the Isle of Man based on the car races on closed public roads.
The new race was proposed by the Editor of The Motor Cycle magazine at the Auto-Cycle Club annual dinner held in London on 17 January 1907.[12] It was proposed that the races would run in two classes with single-cylinder machines to average 90 mpg and twin-cylinder machines to average 75 mpg fuel consumption. To emphasise the road touring nature of the motorcycles there were regulations for the inclusion of saddles, pedals, mudguards and exhaust silencers.
The first race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and was called the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy.[13] The event was organised by the Auto-Cycle Club over 10 laps of the St John's Short Course of 15 mi 1,470 yd (25.484 km).
The first Isle of Man TT Race in 1907 was for two different classes of touring motor-cycles. The winner of the single-cylinder class, and overall winner of the first event in 1907, was Charlie Collier riding a Matchless motorcycle in a time of 4 hours, 8 minutes and 8 seconds at an average race speed of 38.21 mph (61.49 km/h). The winner of the twin-cylinder class was Rem Fowler riding a Peugeot engined Norton at an average race speed of 36.21 mph (58.27 km/h).[14]
The trophy presented to Charlie Collier as the winner of the 1907 Isle of Man TT Race, was donated by the Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars.[15] It featured a stylised version of Olympic God 'Hermes' by Giovanni Da Bologna as a silver figurine astride a winged wheel. The trophy was similar in design to the 18 carat gold Montague Trophy presented to John Napier (Arrol-Johnston) as the inaugural winner of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy car race in 1905 now known as the RAC Tourist Trophy.[16] The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars Trophy is now presented annually to the winner of the Senior TT race.
Early Isle of Man TT race history from 1904[edit]
Gordon Bennett and Tourist Trophy car races[edit]
Motor racing began on the Isle of Man in 1904 with the Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial, originally restricted to touring cars. As the Motor Car Act 1903 placed a speed restriction of 20 mph (32 km/h) on cars in the UK, Julian Orde, Secretary of the Automobile Car Club of Britain and Ireland approached the Isle of Man authorities for permission to race cars on public roads.[17] The Highways (Light Locomotive) Act 1904 gave permission in the Isle of Man for the 52.15-mile (83.93 km) Highlands Course for the 1904 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial which was won by Clifford Earl (Napier) in 7 hours 26.5 minutes for five laps (255.5 mi or 411.2 km) of the Highlands Course. The 1905 Gordon Bennett Trial was held on 30 May 1905 and was again won by Clifford Earl driving a Napier automobile in 6 hours and 6 minutes for six laps of the Highland Course.
This was followed in September 1905 with the first Tourist Trophy Race for racing cars, now known as the RAC Tourist Trophy, won by John Napier (Arrol-Johnston) in 6 hours and 9 minutes at an average speed of 33.90 mph (54.56 km/h).[18] The RAC Tourist Trophy for motorcars continued on the island until the outbreak of World War I; average speeds increased and the leading teams such as Vauxhall and Sunbeam brought to the island the latest in racing technology such as the dohc four valve per cylinder Sunbeam driven by K Lee Guinness which won the 1914 event. After the war the RAC Tourist Trophy was renewed in 1922 when a 3-litre straight eight Grand Prix Sunbeam driven by Jean Chassagne won the event remembered as ‘a nightmare in a sea of mud’ against a field of Bentleys and Vauxhalls; Bugattis, Aston Martin and Talbot Darracq were run in tandem in the lightweight ‘1,500 International Trophy’. This was to be the last of the RAC Tourist Trophy races on the island.
International Motor Cycle Cup Race (1905)[edit]
For the 1905 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial it was decided to run an eliminating trial for motorcycles the day after for a team to represent Great Britain in the International Motor Cycle Cup races. An accident at Ramsey Hairpin forced out one of the pre-race favourites and the inability of the motorcycle competitors to climb the steep Mountain Section of the course forced the organisers to use a 25-mile (40 km) section of the Gordon Bennett Trial course. This ran from Douglas south to Castletown and then north to Ballacraine along the primary A3 road and returned to the start at the Quarterbridge in Douglas via Crosby and Glen Vine along the current Snaefell Mountain Course in the reverse direction. The 1905 International Motor Cycle Cup race for five laps (125 mi or 201 km) was won by J.S. Campbell (Ariel) despite a fire during a pit stop[19] in 4 hours, 9 minutes and 36 seconds at an average race speed of 30.04 mph (48.34 km/h).[20]
Race history 1920–1929[edit]
The TT and motorcycle racing started after the end of World War I in 1920. Changes were made to the Snaefell Mountain Course and competitors turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona to follow the primary A18 Snaefell Mountain Road to Governor's Bridge with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course to 37 3⁄4 miles (60.8 km).
Format of the races[edit]
The TT Races since the first race in 1907 have been in the format of time-trial. The races held on the Clypse Course during the period 1954-1959 were the more traditional full grid starts along with the 1924 Lightweight TT Race and Clubmen TT Races from 1948, which were also "mass-start" races. The current format is a "clutch start" and race competitors will be "started singly at 10 second intervals".[21]
Race procedure[edit]
- Start Preliminaries
- First Signal – 45 minutes before the start with a warm-up of engines in the Race Paddock and assembly area.
- Second Signal – 30 minutes before start.
- Third Signal – 15 minutes before start, race competitors move to the start-line and form-up in qualification order.
- Fourth Signal – 5 minutes before start, signal to clear the grid and race competitors move towards the exit-gate.
Eligibility[edit]
Entrants must be in possession of a valid National Entrants or FIM Sponsors Licence for Road Racing.
Race classes[edit]
Superbike TT[edit]
The 2015 specification for entries into the Superbike TT race are defined as:
- Any machine complying with the following specifications:
- TT Superbike: (Machines complying with the 2015 FIM Superbike Championship specifications)
- Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 3 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 850 cc up to 1200 cc 2 cylinders 4-stroke
- TT Superbike: (Machines complying with the 2015 FIM Superbike Championship specifications)
Minimum Weight 165 kg (364 lb). Other machines admitted at the discretion of the Organisers [22]
Supersport TT[edit]
The 1911 Isle of Man TT was the first time the Junior TT race took place, open to 300 cc single-cylinder and 340 cc twin cylinder motorcycles, contested over five laps of the new 37.5-mile (60.4 km) Snaefell Mountain Course. The first event on the new course was the Junior TT Race contested by 35 entrants, won by Percy J. Evans riding a Humber motor-cycle at an average race speed of 41.45 mph (66.71 km/h). The 1912 event was the first to limit the Junior TT to only 350 cc machines and this engine capacity prevailed until 1994 when replaced by the 600 cc Supersport class.
-
- 1911 For single cylinder motorcycles not exceeding 300 cc engine capacity and 340 cc twin cylinder motorcycles.
- 1912–1948 For motorcycles not exceeding 350 cc engine capacity.
- 1949–1953 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 350 cc engine capacity and held on the Snaefell mountain course.
- 1954–1959 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 350 cc engine capacity and held on the Clypse Course.
- 1960–1976 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 350 cc engine capacity and held on the Mountain Course.
- 1977–1993 for motorcycles not exceeding 350 cc engine capacity and held on the Mountain Course.
- 1994 onwards for motorcycles not exceeding 600 cc engine capacity and held on the Mountain Course.
The 2015 specifications for entries into the Supersport TT race are:
-
- TT Supersport: (Machines complying with the 2015 FIM Supersport Championship specifications)
-
- Over 400 cc up to 600 cc 4 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 600 cc up to 750 cc 2 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 600 cc up to 675 cc 3 cylinders 4-stroke
Minimum Weight 161 kg[23]
Superstock TT[edit]
The 2015 specifications for entries for the Superstock TT, an event for production based motorcycles racing with treaded road tyres, are based on the FIM Superstock Championship specifications, as follows:
- Superstock TT: (Machines complying with the 2012 FIM Superstock Championships specifications)
- Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 3 cylinders 4-stroke
- Over 850 cc up to 1200 cc 2 cylinders 4-stroke
Minimum (Dry) Weight 170 kg[24]
Lightweight TT[edit]
The 1922 event was the first time the Lightweight TT race took place, won by a motorcycle-journalist Geoff S. Davison, riding a Levis at an average speed of 49.89 mph (80.29 km/h) for seven laps of the Snaefell Mountain Course. As with the Ultra-Lightweight TT Race, the event was dropped from the race schedule in 2004, but was reintroduced 2008-2009, held on the Billown short road circuit and then dropped again from the race schedule on cost grounds.
-
- 1924–1948 For motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity.
- 1949–1953 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity, held on the Snaefell mountain course.
- 1954–1959 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity, held on the Clypse Course.
- 1960–1976 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity, held on the Mountain Course.
- 1977–2004 for motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity, held on the Mountain Course.
- 2008–2009 for motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc engine capacity, held on the Billown Circuit.
- 2012– The event was re-introduced from the 2012 event for water-cooled four-stroke twin cylinder not exceeding a capacity of 650 cc and complying with the ACU Standing Regulations.[25]
The 2015 specifications for entries into the Lightweight TT race are:
-
- Machines must comply with general technical rules as per ACU Standing Regulations and 2015 IOM TT regulations.
- Any four-stroke twin cylinder motorcycle originally sold for road use with a water-cooled engine of up to 650 cc engine capacity.
- Eligible machines must be from models homologated[clarification needed] for road use 2006 or later.[26]
- Machines must comply with general technical rules as per ACU Standing Regulations and 2015 IOM TT regulations.
Sidecar TT[edit]
The 1923 Isle of Man TT was the first time the Sidecar TT race was run over three laps (113 mi or 182 km) of the Mountain Course and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Perry with a special Douglas banking-sidecar at an average race speed of 53.15 mph (85.54 km/h). For the 1926 event the Sidecar and Ultra-Lightweight TT classes were dropped due to lack of entries.
The Sidecar race was re-introduced from the 1954 event for Sidecars not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity, run on the Clypse Course. A non-championship 750 cc class for sidecars was introduced at the 1968 event. For the 1976 event the race was held over two-legs. From 1975, the previous 500 cc and 750 cc classes for Sidecars were replaced by a 1000 cc engine capacity class.
The new FIM Formula 2 class for Sidecars was introduced for the 1990 Isle of Man TT.
- 1954–1959 FIM World Championship Event for Side-Cars not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity. Race held on the Clypse Course.
- 1960–1976 FIM World Championship Event held on Mountain Course.
- 1968–1974 Non-Championship event for Sidecars not exceeding 750 cc.
- 1975–1989 Sidecars not exceeding 1000 cc engine capacity.
- 1990– FIM Formula 2 Sidecar race for two-stroke engines not exceeding 350 cc or four-stroke engines not exceeding 600 cc.
The 2015 specifications for entries into the Sidecar TT race are:
- Machines must comply with general technical rules as per ACU Standing Regulations and 2015 Isle of Man TT regulations.
- Engine Types
- 501 – 600 cc, 4 stroke, 4 cylinder, Production based motor-cycle engines.
- Engine Types
Senior TT[edit]
For the 1911 Isle of Man TT the first TT event using the Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course, two separate races were introduced. The first event was a four lap Junior TT Race and a separate Senior TT race for 500 cc single-cylinder and 585 cc twin-cylinder motor-cycles over five laps of the new 37.5-mile (60.4 km) Snaefell Mountain Course. The new technical challenges of the Mountain Course forced changes on entrants and motorcycle manufacturers alike. The American Indian Motor-Cycle factory fitted a two-speed gearbox and chain-drive. This proved to be the winning combination when Oliver Godfrey won the 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT race riding an Indian at an average speed of 47.63 mph (76.65 km/h). Fitted with an obsolete six-speed belt drive, Charlie Collier riding a Matchless motor-cycle finished second in the 1911 Senior TT race and was later disqualified for illegal refuelling. During an early morning practice session for the 1911 Isle of Man TT races, Victor Surridge died after crashing his Rudge motor-cycle at Glen Helen, the first death of a competitor on the Snaefell Mountain Course and the first death in the Isle of Man of a person in an automotive accident.[27]
-
- 1911 For single cylinder motor-cycles not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity and 585 cc twin cylinder motor-cycles.
- 1912–1939 For motor-cycles not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity.
- 1947–1948 For motor-cycles not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity and a ban on engine supercharging.
- 1949–1976 FIM World Championship event for motor-cycles not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity.
- 1977–1984 for motor-cycles not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity.
- 1985–2004 for motor-cycles complying with ACU TT Formula 1 rules not exceeding 1,010 cc engine capacity.
- 2004 onwards for motor-cycles complying with ACU/FIM Superbike rules not exceeding 1,000 cc engine capacity.
The 2015 specifications for entries into the Senior TT race are:
- TT Superbike: (Machines complying with the 2015 FIM Superbike Championship specifications)
- (Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 4 cylinders 4-stroke
- (Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc 3 cylinders 4-stroke
- (Over 850 cc up to 1200 cc 2 cylinders 4-stroke
-
- Supersport Junior TT (without limitation of tyre choice)
- TT Superstock (without limitation of tyre choice)
- Other machines admitted at the discretion of the Organisers.
- Supersport Junior TT (without limitation of tyre choice)
TT Zero[edit]
Starting from the 2010 Isle of Man TT races – TT Zero replaces the TTXGP race for one lap (37.73 mi or 60.72 km) of the Snaefell Mountain Course. The TT Zero event as an officially sanctioned Isle of Man TT race is for racing motorcycles where "The technical concept is for motorcycles (two wheeled) to be powered without the use of carbon based fuels and have zero toxic/noxious emissions." [29] The Isle of Man Government offered a prize of £10,000 for the first entrant to exceed the prestigious 100 mph (160 km/h) (22 minutes and 38.388 seconds) average speed around the Mountain Course. This was achieved by Michael Rutter of team MotoCzysz in the 2012 race,[30] and has been exceeded every year since.
Discontinued race classes[edit]
Ultra-Lightweight TT[edit]
1924 was the first time the Ultra-Lightweight TT race took place for motorcycles not exceeding 175 cc engine capacity. It was won by Jack Porter, riding a New Imperial motorcycle at an average speed of 51.21 mph (82.41 km/h) over three laps of the Snaefell mountain course. The Ultra-Lightweight class was re-introduced in 1951 for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc until discontinued in 1974, and then re-introduced for 1989, again for two-stroke 125 cc motorcycles, until dropped again due to lack of entries after 2004. The event was reintroduced 2008-2009 held on the four-mile Billown Circuit and then dropped from the race schedule on cost grounds for the 2010 races.
-
- 1924–1925 For motorcycles not exceeding 175 cc engine capacity.
- 1951–1953 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc engine capacity, held on the Snaefell mountain course.
- 1954–1959 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc engine capacity, held on the Clypse Course.
- 1960–1974 FIM World Championship event for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc engine capacity, held on the Mountain Course.
- 1989–2004 for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc engine capacity, held on the Mountain Course.
- 2008–2009 for motorcycles not exceeding 125 cc engine capacity, held on the Billown Circuit.
-
- 50 cc race 1962–1968, an additional World Championship event for Ultra-Lightweight motorcycles not exceeding 50 cc engine capacity, held on the Mountain Course.
Clubman TT and Production TT[edit]
The Clubman races with Lightweight, Junior and Senior classes were held for production motorcycles from 1947 until 1956.[31] A Senior 1000 cc class provided an opportunity for Vincent motorcycles.[32] The riders were little-known, but as the stars were barred from entering the class, it provided a stepping-stone for future-stars but resulted in less spectator-interest. The series became dominated by one model — the BSA Gold Star,[33][34][35] and with little competiton from other manufacturers, was discontinued. When previewing the impending re-introduction of a specification-controlled, roadster-based class in March, 1967, David Dixon wrote: "lack of inter-make rivalry probably put the final nail in the coffin".[33]
Writing in UK monthly magazine Motor Cyclist Illustrated, racing journalist Ray Knight, who had achieved a lap speed of nearly 88 mph on a Triumph Tiger 100 roadster-based racing motorcycle in the Manx Grand Prix,[36][37][38] commented in early 1965 that the ACU had refused a request from manufacturers to run a production TT race, which he thought was a missed opportunity, particularly considering the dwindling support for the 50 cc race.[39]
A Production TT for roadster-based motorcycles having classes for maximum engine capacities of 250 cc, 500 cc and 750 cc was introduced from 1967 until 1976 when the class was discontinued.
The Production TT was reintroduced for the 1984 races in three classes, reduced to two classes on safety grounds for the 1990 races. For the 2005 races the Superstock class replaced the previous 1000 cc & 600 cc Production TT classes that had been part of the race schedule since 1989.
Practice sessions[edit]
At the TT races there is usually one week of practice and one week of racing. Historically there was an early morning practice session from 05:00-07:30 am but this was discontinued from the 2004 races. During an early morning practice at the 1927 Isle of Man TT, Archie Birkin, brother of Tim Birkin of the Bentley Boys, was killed at Rhencullen. From 1928 practice sessions for the Isle of Man TT Races and Manx Grand Prix were held on closed roads. Evening practice sessions were introduced for the 1937 Isle of Man TT and continue to this day. The Thursday afternoon practice session from 13:45-17:00, introduced in the late 1950s, was discontinued from the Centenary races in 2007.
A schedule for practice sessions is announced each year well in advance. For the 2016 races a provisional schedule was announced by mid-July 2015,[40] and changes in the schedule were highlighted.[41]
But for example, the 2015 event began with a Saturday evening untimed practice session from 18:00 - 21:30, with the public roads that comprise the Snaefell Mountain Course closed. The section of the primary A18 Snaefell Mountain Road from Ramsey Hairpin to Creg-ny-Baa was to close at 16:45 for the practice periods (from 17:00 hours from the Bungalow), 1 hour and 15 minutes before the rest of the course.[42]
The first practice session in 2015 was to provide four controlled laps for newcomers, two for new Solo competitors and two for new Sidecar competitors. Competitors would be escorted for one lap of the Mountain Course by the Travelling Marshals at a steady pace and accompanied by experienced Isle of Man TT and/or Manx Grand Prix competitors.
The schedule for the first Saturday untimed session in 2015 was:
- 18:20 – 18:45 Solo Motor-Cycles Newcomers Speed Control Lap
- 18:35 – 19:00 Sidecar Newcomers' Control Lap
- 18:50 – 19:50 Lightweight TT / Newcomers (all solo classes)
- 19:55 – 20:50 Sidecar practice session.
Practice week sessions[edit]
The main practice and timed practice sessions are usually held on Monday-Friday of the next week. The public roads forming the Mountain Course were to be closed in 2015 between 18:00 – 21:30 for the Solo and Sidecar classes. Some would-be racers need to qualify for races by achieving satisfactory practice times during these sessions.
Schedule for the five day timed session Monday-Friday of practice week in 2015:
- 18:20 – 19:55 Solo Motor-Cycles timed practice session.
- 20:00 – 20:50 Sidecar timed practice session.
Race week practice sessions[edit]
Further scheduled timed practice sessions after the race periods for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races:
Saturday 6 June:
- 16:40 – 17:40 Solo Motor-Cycles timed practice session.
Mad Sunday, 7 June: No practice sessions were scheduled during "Mad Sunday", a day when many fans ride the TT course themselves. An exception to this non-scheduling was in 2013 when there was racing on the afternoon of Mad Sunday. In 2013, Inspector Derek Flint said: "Even though the benefits of the mountain being one way are in place for the entire two weeks these days, Mad Sunday is traditionally a time for that little bit of extra exuberance, which creates us problems when people run out of skill, then run out of road". Police are out in force, and in 2013 large numbers of fans were expected to ride due to very favourable weather forecasts.[43]
Monday 8 June:
- 12:30 – 13:00 Sidecar timed practice session.
Wednesday 10 June:
- 15:50 – 16:45 Solo Motor-Cycles timed practice session for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races.
Practice TT Zero[edit]
Schedule for the TT Zero Challenge timed sessions in 2015 was:
Friday 5 June 20:30 – 20:50
Saturday 6 June 17:45 – 18:30
Monday 8 June 16:00 – 16:30
In the event of inclement weather either delaying or leading to the cancellation of one or more timed practice sessions, a reserve morning session could be held with the public roads closed 06:00 – 07:30 on the Mountain Course. Further untimed practice sessions are held during race week after the racing has been completed for selected race classes.
Race schedule[edit]
In 2015 there were four scheduled race days:
| Saturday 6 June: | |
|
– 6 laps (236.38 mi or 380.42 km) |
|
– 3 laps (113.00 mi or 181.86 km) |
|
Monday 8 June: |
|
|
– 4 laps (150.92 mi or 242.88 km) |
|
– 4 laps (150.92 mi or 242.88 km) |
|
Wednesday 10 June: |
|
|
– 1 lap (37.73 mi or 60.72 km) |
|
– 4 laps (150.92 mi or 242.88 km) |
|
– 3 laps (113.00 mi or 181.86 km) |
|
Friday 12 June: |
|
|
– 3 laps (113.00 mi or 181.86 km) |
|
– 6 laps (236.38 mi or 380.42 km) |
The section of the primary A18 Snaefell Mountain Road from Ramsey Hairpin (Barrule Park, Ramsey) to Creg-ny-Baa was to close for the race periods 45 minutes before the rest of the course (30 minutes from the Bungalow).[44]
TT course official vehicles[edit]
After the completion of a practice or race period, an official course vehicle displaying the notice Roads Open proceeds around the Mountain Course, passing each point opening the roads including side-access junctions to public use. On the Snaefell Mountain Road section from Ramsey to Douglas, the official vehicle displays the notice Roads Open One Way.
Crossing places during practice and races[edit]
The 1982 Road Racing Act (Isle of Man) and the supplementary TT Road Races Orders allow vehicles and pedestrians to cross the Snaefell Mountain Course at certain points between scheduled race periods under the supervision of a police officer. Several permanent pedestrian overbridges have been erected. These points include:
In Douglas[edit]
- A2 St Ninian's Crossroads with the A22 Ballaquayle Road and the A22 Ballanard Road
- A2 junction at Bray Hill with the Tromode Road and Stoney Road
- A1 Peel Road between Braddan Bridge (Jubilee Oak) and the Quarterbridge
- A2 Governor's Road, Onchan, the A2 Glencrutchery Road and Victoria Road at Governor's Bridge
- A2 Glencrutchery Road between Second & Third Avenues and Victoria Road
- A18 Bemahague Road at Bedstead Corner, Onchan
-
Pedestrian overbridge at Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, close to start/finish and TT Grandstand
-
Pedestrian overbridge at Bedstead Corner, Douglas, with Hailwood Avenue junction to right
Elsewhere[edit]
- A1 Douglas to Peel road with the A23 Eyreton Road and the B36 Old Church Road, Crosby
- A3 Castletown to Ramsey road junction with B10 Sartfield Road and the Ballaleigh Road at Barregarrow Crossroads, Michael
- A3 junction with A10 Station Road and C37 Ballaugh Glen Road at Ballaugh Bridge
- A3 junction with A14 Sandygate Road and A14 Tholt-y-Will Glen Road at Sulby Crossroads
- A2 Albert Square and Princes Road, Ramsey at the junction with A18 Snaefell Mountain Road, close to May Hill
-
Pedestrian overbridge at School House Corner, western approach to Ramsey town
-
Pedestrian overbridge exiting Ramsey town centre, looking south-east towards May Hill
-
Pedestrian overbridge at The Bungalow, on Snaefell mountain
TT Course Access Road[edit]
A further access road operates continuously during practice and race periods from the junction of the A5 New Castletown Road and the Quarterbridge to an exit near the former Braddan Bridge railway halt and the A23 Ballafletcher Road, Douglas. This access road uses a small section of the former Douglas to Peel railway line and is restricted to cars and light vans below a weight limit of 3,500 kilograms (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons) — pedestrian access is prohibited. The TT Access Road runs parallel to a section of the A1 Peel Road which is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course.
Safety and danger[edit]
The TT races are extremely dangerous due to competitors' high speeds on very narrow, twisting streets, roads and lanes flanked by walls, buildings, kerbs, trees, pedestrian over-bridges and many posts. Between 1907 and 2015 there have been 248 competitor fatalities during official practices or races on the Snaefell Mountain Course (this number includes competitors killed during the Manx Grand Prix and Isle of Man Clubman TT races). The worst year for fatalities was 1970 when six competitors lost their lives. Another racer died at the Manx Grand Prix later in the same year.
Due to the ongoing dangers and safety concerns, doubts are expressed every year over the future of the TT[citation needed]. As it is a road network when racing is not in progress, the course is used for normal public traffic. The Sunday between practice week and race week is known as "Mad Sunday" where many members of the public ride the course. The mountain section from Ramsey to Douglas is one-way with speed limits for this day.[45] In 2012 there were just four accidents on the open day; while in previous years there had been dozens.[citation needed]
In 2013, a rider lost control on the first lap of the Senior TT, and his machine hit spectators near the bottom of Bray Hill, close to the start area on the outskirts of Douglas. Eleven were injured.[46]
Total overall race winners[edit]
FIM Championship Rounds (1949–1976)[edit]
The Isle of Man TT was part of the FIM Motor-Cycle Grand Prix World Championship (now MotoGP) between 1949 and 1976. During this period the Isle of Man TT Races counted as the United Kingdom round including the Sidecar TT, 50 cc Ultra-Lightweight TT, 125 cc Lightweight TT, 250 cc Lightweight TT, 350 cc Junior TT and 500 cc Senior TT races counting towards the FIM Motor-Cycle Grand Prix World Championship.
Current lap records[edit]
| Category | Rider(s) | Machine | Year | Time | Average speed | Source[47] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Outright (all categories) | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 17:03.567 | 132.701 | 213.562 | [48] |
| Superbike TT | Bruce Anstey | Honda CBR1000RR | 2014 | 17:06.682 | 132.298 | 212.913 | |
| Supersport TT | Michael Dunlop | Honda CBR600RR | 2013 | 17:35.659 | 128.666 | 207.068 | |
| Lightweight TT | James Hillier | Kawasaki ER650 | 2015 | 18:43.955 | 120.848 | 194.486 | [citation needed] |
| Ultra-Lightweight TT | Chris Palmer | Honda RS125 | 2004 | 20:20.87 | 110.52 | 177.86 | |
| Senior TT | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 17:03.567 | 132.701 | 213.562 | [48] |
| Superstock TT | Michael Dunlop | Honda CBR1000RR | 2013 | 17:15.114 | 131.220 | 211.178 | |
| TT Zero | John McGuinness | Mugen Shinden | 2015 | 18:58.743 | 119.279 | 191.961 | [citation needed] |
| Sidecar TT | Dave Molyneux and Benjamin Binns |
DMR Suzuki 600 Sidecar | 2015 | 19:23.056 | 116.785 | 187.947 | [49] |
Current race records[edit]
| Category | Rider(s) | Machine | Year | Race time | Average speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | |||||
| Superbike TT (6 laps) | Bruce Anstey | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 01:45:29.902 | 128.749 | 207.201 |
| Supersport TT (4 laps) | Michael Dunlop | Honda CBR600RR | 2013 | 01:11:52.091 | 125.997 | 202.773 |
| Lightweight TT (3 laps) | Ivan Lintin | Kawasaki ER650 | 2015 | 57:06.070 | 118.936 | 191.409[50] |
| Senior TT (6 laps) | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2013 | 01:45:20.394 | 128.943 | 207.514 |
| Senior TT (4 laps) | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 01:09:23.903 | 130.481 | 209.989 |
| Superstock TT (4 laps) | Ian Hutchinson | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 2015 | 01:10:05.298 | 129.197 | 207.922 |
| TT Zero (1 lap) | John McGuinness | Mugen Shinden | 2015 | 18:58.743 | 119.279 | 191.961 |
| Sidecar TT (3 laps) | Ben Birchall and Tom Birchall |
LCR Sidecar | 2015 | 58:24.971 | 116.259 | 187.101 |
Awards in 2015[edit]
Race winner trophies[edit]
| Race | Trophy | Rider(s) | Machine | Year | Average speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | |||||
| Senior TT | Senior Tourist Trophy1 | John McGuinness | Honda 1000 cc | 2015 | 130.481 | 209.989 |
| TT Superbike | TT Superbike Trophy | Bruce Anstey | Honda 1000 cc | 2015 | 128.749 | 207.201 |
| TT Superstock | John Hartle Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Kawasaki 1000 cc | 2015 | 129.197 | 207.922 |
| TT Supersport Race 1 | Junior Tourist Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Yamaha 600 cc | 2015 | 125.451 | 201.894 |
| TT Supersport Race 2 | Classic TT Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Yamaha 600 cc | 2015 | 125.803 | 202.460 |
| TT Lightweight | Lightweight TT Trophy | Ivan Lintin | Kawasaki 650 cc | 2015 | 118.936 | 191.409 |
| TT Sidecar Race 1 | Fred W. Dixon Trophy | Ben Birchall Tom Birchall |
LCR Honda 600 cc | 2015 | 115.770 | 186.314 |
| TT Sidecar Race 2 | Sidecar TT Trophy | Ben Birchall Tom Birchall |
LCR Honda 600 cc | 2015 | 116.259 | 187.101 |
- ^1 Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars Trophy.
Fastest lap awards[edit]
| Race | Trophy | Rider(s) | Machine | Year | Average speed | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Overall | Jimmy Simpson Trophy | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 132.701 | 213.562 | 17:03.567 |
| Senior TT | Norman Brown Trophy | John McGuinness | Honda CBR1000RR | 2015 | 132.701 | 213.562 | 17:03.567 |
| TT Superbike | John Williams Trophy | Bruce Anstey | Honda 1000 cc | 2015 | 131.797 | 212.107 | 17:10.587 |
| TT Superstock | Don Ryder Trophy | Michael Dunlop | BMW 1000 cc | 2015 | 130.932 | 210.715 | 17:17.392 |
| TT Supersport Race | Formula 2 TT Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Yamaha 600 cc | 2015 | 127.751 | 205.595 | 17:43.224 |
| TT Sidecar Race | Jock Taylor Trophy | Dave Molyneux Benjamin Binns |
DMR Suzuki 600 cc | 2015 | 116.785 | 187.947 | 19:23.056 |
Special awards[edit]
| Race | Trophy | Rider(s) | Machine | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TT Solo Championship | Joey Dunlop Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Kawasaki 1000 cc | 2015 |
| TT Privateer’s Champion | TT Privateer’s Champion | Daniel Cooper | Honda 600/1000 cc | 2015 |
| Overall Sidecar Championship | RAC Sidecar Trophy | Ben Birchall Tom Birchall |
LCR Honda 600 cc | 2015 |
| Sidecar Passenger Championship | Craig Trophy | Tom Birchall | LCR Honda 600 cc | 2015 |
| Supersport Championship | TT Supporters’ Club Trophy | Ian Hutchinson | Yamaha 600 cc | 2015 |
| Sidecar Chassis Championship | Fred Hanks Trophy | Ben Birchall Tom Birchall |
LCR Honda 600 cc | 2015 |
| Newcomers Sidecar Driver Championship | Peter Chapman Trophy | Lionel Mansuy | Windle 600 cc | 2015 |
| Newcomers Sidecar Passenger Championship | Dave Wells Trophy | Matty Ramsden | LCR 600 cc | 2015 |
| British competitor British manufacturer |
Joe Craig Trophy | Guy Martin | Triumph 675 cc | 2015 |
| Irish (North or South) solo competitor | Martin Finnegan Trophy | Michael Dunlop | BMW 1000 cc | 2015 |
| Isle of Man solo competitor | Gavin Lee Trophy | Conor Cummins | Honda 1000 cc | 2015 |
Other Special awards[edit]
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- Fastest Newcomer - The Vernon Cooper Trophy
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Rider(s) Machine Year Average speed Time mph km/h Derek McGee Honda 1000 cc 2015 121.928 196.224 18:33.999
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- Most Meritorious Female - The Susan Jeness Trophy is awarded yearly by the Executive Committee of the TT Supporters’ Club, in recognition of the "most meritorious performance by a female competitor" during the previous TT meeting.[51]
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Rider(s) Race Category Year Jenny Tinmouth solo rider 2010 Jenny Tinmouth solo rider 2011 Debbie Baron as driver, Ireson Kawasaki Sidecar 600 cc 2012 Estelle Leblond as driver, Sidecar 600 cc 2013 Estelle Leblond as driver, Sidecar 600 cc 2014 (undecided) 2015
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See also[edit]
- Snaefell Mountain Course
- List of named corners of the Snaefell Mountain Course
- Manx Grand Prix
- North West 200
- Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling
Notes[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ^ The Guinness Motorcycle Sport Fact Book page 120 by Ian Morrisson Guinness Publishing Ltd (1991) The Bath Press ISBN 0-85112-953-6
- ^ Isle of Man TT - the world’s most dangerous sporting event Metro, May 2013, Retrieved 2014-06-24
- ^ The most dangerous sporting event of earth? The Guardian, June 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-24
- ^ Montreal man to compete in world's most dangerous motorcycle race Canada AM, CTV News, May 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-24
- ^ The Isle of Men: The World’s Deadliest Race Time, August 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-24
- ^ Isle of Man TT: Best pictures from the world's most dangerous motorcycle race Mirror, June 2015. Retrieved 2014-06-24
- ^ The deadliest race stuff.co.nz, Fairfax Media, 21 August 2011, Retrieved 2014-07-08
- ^ TT star fined for taking daughter out of school IoM Today, 9 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015
- ^ a b TT News – Preview Edition 2012 page 16-18 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2012) Johnson Press Publishing Bridson & Horrox Publishing Ltd
- ^ Official TT Guide 1992 page 45 Isle of Man Department of Tourism (1992) Mannin Media Publication
- ^ The Oxford Companion to Sports and Games Edited by John Arlott Oxford University Press (1975) pp. 669 ISBN 0-19-211538-3
- ^ Isle of Man TT page 10-11 Charles Deane (1st Edition) (1975) Patrick Stevens Ltd ISBN 0 85059 172 4
- ^ Official Programme - International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy 28 May 1907 page 1-3 The Auto-Cycle Club. Reproduction (2007) Isle of Man Post
- ^ The Motor Cycle dated 5 June 1907 p.445
- ^ Isle of Man TT by Charles Deane pp. 12 (1st Edition)(1975) Patrick Stevens Ltd ISBN 0 85059 172 4
- ^ TT Pioneers - Early Car Racing in the Isle of Man by Robert Kelly p viii, 40 & 68 The Manx Experience (1996) The Alden Press ISBN No 1 873120 61 3
- ^ Island Racer 2004 pp 112–113 Mortons Media Group Ltd ISSN 1743-5838
- ^ TT Pioneers – Early Car Racing in the Isle of Man by Robert Kelly p68 The Manx Experience (1996) The Alden Press ISBN No 1 873120 61 3
- ^ The Motor Cycle pp545 dated 19 June 1905
- ^ Island Racer 2003 p89 Mortons Media Group Ltd ISSN 1743-4830
- ^ 2015 International Tourist Trophy Regulations page 22 ACU Events Isle of Man Limited (2015) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development
- ^ 2015 International Tourist Trophy Regulations ACU Events Isle of Man Limited page 5 and page 58 Appendix A
- ^ 2015 International Tourist Trophy Regulations page 2 & Appendix C ACU Events Isle of Man Limited
- ^ International Tourist Trophy Regulations 2015 page 5/Appendix D page 34 ACU Events (Isle of Man) Limited (2015) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development
- ^ International Isle of Man TT Regulations 2012 page 41-42 Appendix-E ACU Events (Isle of Man) Ltd (2012) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development
- ^ International Tourist Trophy Regulations 2012 page 3/Appendix E page 43 ACU Events (Isle of Man) Limited (2015) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development
- ^ TT Topics and Tales by David Wright - Amulree Publications (4 April 2006) ISBN 1901508099
- ^ 2010 International Tourist Trophy Regulations page 2 ACU Events Isle of Man Limited
- ^ REGULATIONS TT ZERO – 2010 International Tourist Trophy – Isle of Man 29 May – 11 June p27 ACU Events Ltd (2010)
- ^ "History is made in the 2012 SES TT Zero". iomtt.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ 1947 TT races, overview IoM TT.com. Retrieved 26 September 2015
- ^ 1950 Clubman TT 1000 cc class results IoM TT.com. Retrieved 26 September 2015
- ^ a b Motor Cycle, 9 March 1967, pp.284-286 Roadsters on the Magic Lap. A Production-TT Recce in Manxland by David Dixon. Accessed 26 September 2015
- ^ 1956 Clubman TT Junior class results IoM TT.com. Retrieved 26 September 2015
- ^ 1956 Clubman TT Senior class results IoM TT.com. Retrieved 26 September 2015
- ^ 1963 Senior race results, Competitor Ray Knight, Hughes Triumph, Manx Grand Prix.Org official website, Retrieved 19 October 2015
- ^ 1964 Senior race results, Competitor Ray Knight, Hughes Triumph, Manx Grand Prix.Org official website, Retrieved 19 October 2015
- ^ Ray Knight, Competitor Profile, IoM TT.com official website, Retrieved 19 October 2015
- ^ Motor Cyclist Illustrated, January 1965, p.41 More Production racing. Accessed 19 October 2015
- ^ "Practice and Race Schedule: 2016". Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ "New schedule".
- ^ ROADS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TT ROAD RACES 2015 Isle of Man Department of Infastructure -Rheynn Arraghey Bun-Troggalys Public Notice (2015) 1982 Road Racing Act (Isle of Man) "Notice is given that the Department of Infrastructure has made Orders under the Road Race Act 1982 & the Highways Act 1986. The Tourist Trophy Road Race Order 2015 permits the promoters to hold practices,races and parades during the TT Festival period."
- ^ "Mad Sunday". Isle of Man Today. 2013.
- ^ ROADS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TT ROAD RACES 2015 Isle of Man Department of Infastructure -Bun-Troggalys Public Notice (2015) "Notice is given that the Department of Infrastructure has made Orders under the Road Race Act 1982 & the Highways Act 1986. The Tourist Trophy Road Race Order 2015 permits the promoters to hold practices,races and parades during the TT Festival period."
- ^ http://www.iomttbreaks.com/events/iom-tt-2015/event-and-race-guide
- ^ "Eleven spectators injured after motorbike crash during first lap of Isle of Man TT race". Daily Mail. 7 June 2013.
- ^ Records reported are lap times achieved during races only. Except where otherwise noted, sourcing in this table is from the IOMTT.COM website: title=IOM TT: Current Isle of Man TT Lap Records
- ^ a b David Norton (12 June 2015). "What a race! John McGuinness storms to 23rd TT victory". IOM Today.
- ^ TT 2015: Lap record goes as Birchalls complete sidecar double IoM Today, 10 June 2015, Retrieved 15 October 2015
- ^ "2015 Bennetts Lightweight TT results" (PDF). IOMTT.COM.
- ^ IoM TT.com, News, 28 December 2012 Retrieved 14 September 2015
References[edit]
- Barker, Stuart (2007). 100 One Hundred Years of the TT. EMAP ISBN 1-84605-235-1
- Duckworth, Mick (2007). TT 100 – The Authorised History of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Racing. Lily Publications ISBN 9781899602674
- Harris, Nick (1991). Motocourse History of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Races 1907–1989 Hazelton Publishing ISBN 0-905138-71-6
- Mac McDiarmid (2004). The Magic of The TT. A Century of Racing over The Mountain Haynes Publishing. ISBN 1-84425-002-4
- Noyes, Denis (1999) 50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix. Hazelton Publishing Ltd ISBN 1-874557-83-7
- Pidcock, Fred & Snelling, Bill (2007) History of the Isle of Man Clubman's TT Races 1947–1956. Amulree Publications ISBN 1-901508-10-2
- Savage, Mike (1997) TT Heroes. Amulree Publications ISBN 0-9521126-9-8
- Snelling, Bill (1996). The Tourist Trophy in Old Photographs Collected by Bill Snelling. Sutton Publishing ISBN 1-84015-059-9
- Stroud, Jon (2007). The Little Book of the TT. Green Umbrella Publishing ISBN 1-905828-24-1
- Wright, David (2007). 100 Years of the Isle of Man TT Races. A Century of Motorcycle Racing. Crowood Press ISBN 1-86126-906-4
- Wright, David (2006). TT Topics and Tales. Amulree Publications ISBN 1-901508-09-9
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Isle of Man TT Races. |
- Isle of Man TT Unofficial web site
- Isle of Man TT official web site
- Route of Isle of Man TT (Google Maps)
- Motorcycle Classics article on the 100th anniversary of the Isle of Man TT
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