The Isle of Man has been run ever since 1907, and is the oldest motorcycle race in the world. It's also the deadliest, as 223 lives have been claimed over its 100 year span. To put it in more graphic terms, that averages out to 2.23 deaths per year. Even with all the dangers, and calls by some for the TT to be banned, the 2-week event remains a huge draw with riders willing to risk it all. For these racers, doing the TT is much like a rite of passage, or better still, a badge of honor.
On the flip side, many of the world's top riders will not participate in the TT, as it's just too dangerous. So in many ways it's the old "machismo" attitude vs. "living-to-race-another-day" attitude with these guys.
On to the racing...
McGuinness took his Honda CBR1000 Fireblade around the 37.73 mile mountain circuit, averaging 130.354 mph, slashing 51 seconds off the previous time. The Briton thus became the first rider ever to lap the island circuit averaging over 130 mph. Top speeds on the straight-aways were over 200 mph. Mind you, this is on public roads, going through villages, up mountain passes, and dodging curbs and light poles along the way. Not only that, it's not uncommon to run into different weather conditions over the course of a lap. It may be sunny and dry at the start, but have rain and/or fog up in the mountains. Tire selection can be difficult, as the weather can also change over the course of a race.
"When I shut my visor and get on the bike, that's the best feeling in the world. You're on your own, you're free and racing against the clock. It's just you and the circuit," McGuinness told Reuters last week.
"If you win one, there's no better feeling in the world."
I think(?) it was the SPEED channel that used to televise this event (but not any more). They had cameras mounted on the bikes, and it was by far the most exciting motorsport racing footage I've ever seen—bar none! To see these riders hurl themselves down village streets at well over 100 mph, and down the long straight sections of road approaching 200 mph can't adequately be described by words.
Full story here. More on the history of this incredible event can be found here.
2007 Isle of Man videos
Here are a bunch of videos from this year's TT. Check out this one of the sidecar race. Watch the passenger, aka the "monkey," switch his body from side to side depending on the corner. This video really captures the spirit of the week. ...And if you're into vintage bike racingânote the '60's-era Hondas pictured here (towards the end) appear to be ex-factory 250cc or 350cc 4-cylinder bikes. Any Honda experts out there that can confirm this? Wild stuff!
billt9 says:
11:12 AM, 06/ 9/07
These people chose freely to go.
We don't live forever.
If they think it is worth living their life this way despite the risk, why not.
Air shows, amusement parks, scuba diving, everybody has to die some time. But we think the enjoyment we can get out of life outweighs the chance of death.
carlisimo says:
06:49 PM, 06/ 9/07
I doubt the spectators felt that way though. And that kind of safety should be easier to build into these races. But what a race... I hope it lasts forever.
estreka says:
11:22 PM, 06/ 9/07
I really enjoy races like these. I'm reminded of the Gumball way back when.
ateixeira says:
10:21 AM, 06/11/07
That's insane. One tiny mis-step and those side-car riders are off in to the woods. The basically hold on for their lives and hang off the sides!
rsholland says:
10:27 AM, 06/11/07
I've seen sidecar racing in person at Summit Point Raceway. I've seen them up close in the pits—and they are wild!
Yeah, the monkey shifts his body from side to side, depending on the corner. Can you image doing that for several laps at the TT?
They're fast too. I think the sidecar winner averaged ~ 112 mph. The sidecars are limited to 600cc engine, unlike the 1000cc Superbike racers. Virtually every bike, except the vintage racers, were Japanese-powered.