How a Road Test Idea Became the DEADLIEST Race on Earth
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- Think of the Isle of Man TT and I have no doubt your mind will conjure the image of road-riding warriors, racing at unbelievable speeds in the most dangerous of environments, riding at over 200mph inches away from stone walls, hedges and spectators.
Even after many years of watching myself, to this day I still cannot get my head around what these modern-day gladiators are able to do on a motorcycle in this most dangerous race on earth.
But did you know that what you see today wasn’t exactly what the founders of this historic event set out to create?
In this video we’re going to look at the history of speed at the Isle of Man TT, and how a simple idea shared by a magazine editor around a dinner table went on to become the most dangerous motor race on the planet.
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We attended this year traveled from the States to London rented a Ducati and Triumph travelled 3 days through Cotswolds and up through Wales, to the Heysham Ferry hoped on the ferry. Spent 7 days on Isle of Man. Got to witness her first TT experience at the Bottom of Barregarrow (her brain exploded) and we saw Micheal Dunlop’s visor disaster first hand at Brayhill. I got my first ride over the unrestricted mountain screaming in my helmet the entire time. Stop and have a pint in Peel, Douglas, Port Erin and met some awesome locals. They love the TT and they love respectful Tourists who love their country. If you have a chance to go.. go. Don’t think about it. Just do it. It was a year of pre-planning, deposits on motorcycles and homestay were put down 1 year ahead and it was worth it.
Bringing my daughter in August in van to the Manx for a few days of the qualifying. Will leave van in Heysham terminal hopefully If it's safe. Depending how it goes, the dream will be next year to have my SR 500 in back of van and bring it to the island for a lap
Great to hear this... sadly, I live in London and have never been so, must be one for my 'bucket list!' Hope you had a safe journey, home!
Lovely story. I might go to IOM , love to actual see the TT first hand but this year we going Egypt. If i had a choice IOM but my wifes orders Egypt it is.
Great to hear you enjoyed your trip. Sometimes one just has to book to make one make memories! If you have someone to share those memories with do it. Love today, love each other, look after tomorrow.🇬🇧
My dream :)
Heh, I always thought the Isle of Man TT racers were fools for risking their lives like that. Still, I was always somewhat intrigued by it all. What makes a person take part in such an event? What's the point of wasting your life like that? There are dozens of race circuits in the UK and Europe. Why would you choose to race on the most dangerous one from a safety perspective? I'm an adrenaline junkie and have always liked extreme activities, but it always seemed to me that they indeed took things "too far" with that race.
One day, I bit the bullet and went to see it in person. It was horrifying. I went first to the bottom of Bray Hill, and I was almost sick with nervousness. My gut feeling was that at any moment, one of those riders would lose control and die right in front of my eyes. It is mind-boggling how fast they take that turn-over 180 mph (290+ kph).
But then, I walked around the paddock, saw some of the racers with their families, and went to a few different places to watch. Slowly, I realized how much control they have. The fear and nervousness subsided, and I started to enjoy the races. That first horrible day gave rise to a joy of seeing those crazy mfkers fly by and even jump at Ballacrye.
In the final days, I started to realize more and more that I was the fool, not them. I was the one wasting my life by not doing something so incredible-not them. They live like modern day gladiators, doing the most incredible "legal" thing on earth. By the end of it all, I was envious of what they achieved on that course and how much fun and adrenaline they must experience on that piece of tarmac. It became clear to me why they do it. They are not idiots-idiots would not survive even a kilometer of that. They are at the top of their game, and I'm sure the risk is worth it.
I had never ridden a motorcycle before going there to watch in 2022, but I was so inspired by it all that after I came back to Belgium, I got a motorcycle driver's license at 33 years old. Just a few days ago, I had my first track day on a motorbike. Let me say that a trackday in a car is amazing, but a trackday on a motorbike was 100 times better, surreal-probably the best experience of my life that didn't involve woman. I cannot imagine what it feels like to ride the TT at full throttle.
It would never be possible to create it if you wanted to start doing it todays, so I'm glad that in today's woossy world this still exists.
We'll said
Highly accurate. They are literally living more than most people on earth.
Bang on.
Welcome to the other side.
We all die anyway, better on the track than wasting away in an old folks home.
Great video. This year nobody died at the TT despite adverse conditions. But there will always be people who push the boundaries. In my 20s I did that but no one took it further. I broke the 100mph world record on barefoot water skiing and in 2007 at the age of 57, I broke the 145mph record over 50kms on river waterski racing. Since then both events have been scrapped as insurance in Australia for the events evaporated. But when we raced, there was no insurance. You took your risk to compete, spectators took the risk of watching and the organisers took the risk of hosting. No one thought about suing anybody. You did it solely for the glory.
Congrats on your records - with those numbers you have certainly earned them.
Before soft cocks ruined everything.. 😂😂 everything fun is now deemed dangerous or banned Oh how far backwards we have slipped its a crying shame the real men have all dissapeard.. the quest for an adrenaline rush is almost non existent these days.. your not alive unless you see your whole life flash before yur eyes as things go badly pear shaped many times during ones life.. 😂😂
Hold on, a side car team lost their lives this year. So yea, 2 people passed-on.
@@JAAB9296 the joys of racing.. nobody said life was going to be long and painfull..
I went in 1952 on my Model 18 500 Norton, a friend on his Model 7, we were astonished by the sight of Les Graham on the 500 MV, all silver and red, the sound which you could hear seemingly miles away was such a contrast to the Nortons and AJS. Wonderful experience, such a pity that Graham died the next year.
Riders such as John McGuiness and Guy Martin are revered for their skill and riding ability ,taking their machines to 200 mph,but that 1957 rider who averaged over 100 mph must have needed his own sidecar to fit his balls into
Excellent presentation. So much information in such short video, and very enjoyable!
I know his record is now surpassed, but to me Joey IS the TT. However, I feel Mike the Bike's 14 wins is the gold standard considering it was part of the world championship back then.
You know me bro. I'm not even a motorbike enthusiast but that was a very well made mini documentary. Very much enjoyed. Keep up the great work 😊
Man 1: Hey a circular road.
Man 2: I'll race you around it.
Excellent video, well presented, great clips and info. Just had the pleasure of attending the 2024 races. Although it's unbelievable that the race is still allowed, the experience was unbeatable.
Very, very well done.
Excellent vid! Well done.
Thank you
That was a good documentation of the event man. Winning!!!
My Dad now deceased was stationed on the Isle of Mann when in the RAF (early 1950's) and one of his friends had a road bike that Dad was often a pillion passenger on. His friend was killed on the bike and the damaged bike was sold by the dead guy's mother to another friend of Dad's. He fixed the bike up and rode it for some time until he was also killed on it.Dad was anti bikes from that time on and would call motorcyclist's "temporary New Zealanders" He was Scots but lived in New Zealand for many years. Funny thing is he always had a reverence for the TT despite everything. Probably because he had first hand experience I guess.
These races along with F1 have actually SAVED more lives than they have taken. Much of the safety features on bikes and cars today were a direct result of these racing machines.
Very nicely made! 👌🏼
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this one! 👍🏼
Also a nice way to remember those who have gone before to pave the way to where we are today.
Those guys are beyond belief!!
The danger of the TT is what makes it so special. I hate the idea of a rider being killed or injured. The fact that there were no deaths in 2024 is amazing. Here's wishing a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
I love riding a motorcycle, my brain can't even comprehend the speeds these riders are going.
Is it too dangerous? For someone like me, absolutely. Should it be stopped? No way. The riders know the risks and would likely find something else equally as dangerous if they were forced to stop.
Thank you from Canada for your time and effort to give us history of this great race/place
Met Joey in a Douglas cafe in the 90s the year after his worst crash. He struggled up the steps on crutches, his right fore arm supported by an extension on the crutch. He said he'd brought his bikes over on the usual fishing boat but was furious they wouldnt let him race even though he had a letter from his doctor declaring him fit. The man was mad.
Excellent coverage!! New sub... Can't believe I am just now finding this channel. I have a Godson who is extremely talented on motorcycles.. I think he is committing to next years TT... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about it, but coming from a group of hard core racers and riders, with a few championships behind our backs (nothing superbike related), I'm gonna like go along and pit beotch if / when needed... This truly is the most extreme race in the world! Of ANY sport, even beyond all motorsports... IF you cant stay far ahead of your bike.. It wont just be a metal / title you will lose.. Absolute respect for all those who race here..
Really excellent video! I also hope they continue it, I'm sure they will.
That was great. Good work, I really enjoyed watching that.
You will notice that the top MotoGP riders do not usually race there. I am 82, and would race again tomorrow, but I would never race on the IOM. On the IOM it is easy to lose track of where you are on the circuit. When you go down a long road, you need to be on the correct side of the road for the next corner. A crash at 30 MPH can kill.
Brilliant, solid documentary. 3rd generation TT fan and these stories never age. Personal favourites Phil Reed, Hislop v Fogarty, and D Jeffries vs J Dunlop, and the modern golden era❤
Nice up load thankyou !!
'Road Racers', different breed.
Nice summary, thanks for making
Excellent work. Great presentation.
Brilliant video, well done
Fantastic video. I watched the TT for the first time this year despite being a racing fan most of my life and it was awesome. Hope to one day be there in person to see the spectacle.
great video appreciate that
May the race go on .
Me I would love to cruise the circuit on my old BSA GoldStar , just to putt around the course . Old man , old bike works for me .
the lap a subaruWRX did was also spectacular
We ride, we die while riding, we will keep riding.
Excelente reportagem.
Obrigado.
Continue.
Parabéns.
Great video.
The Isle of Man is with no doubt the "greatest" motorsport in the world. NOTHING comes close. Period.
Great 👍. Video,, Keep racing
It's awesome that Isle of man never yielded to the pressure from grand prix. There needs to be a place to showcase the real men.
In a 118 years that 269 deaths are far less than car racing. Isle of Man needs to continue. 🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍
More than that have died in a single plane crash but no mention of banning planes
More have died from peanuts as well.
The dude who said “it’s too dangerous to be forcing guys out there” whilst he LEAVES… where tf is this force
I guess losing world championship points every year is what he means
A contender for the world championship HAD to compete in the TT.
My hero on the island was Joe Dunphy, who rode a Manx Norton into second place in the 1965 senior TT behind Mike Hailwood on a much more powerful MV Agusta.
The ultimate test of man and machine in the real world. The Pike's Peak hillclimb in the US had a similar flavor of deadly but they no longer race bikes there so the TT now stands alone. May it continue forever!
Joey will always be the man.
Top end mate... ;)
Much like a cowboy has his rodeo...
We have TT.
Great show, thanks bro
May it last forever.
I keep hearing Mike Howard ? 😂 Is it just me ?
Well put together, extremely well narrated, and informative.
Good production. Not a criticism but if you can maintain the sound quality, a more bike oriented location for your to camera part would improve the overall effect. A battered armchair in a garage as a suggestion.
Nothing makes you feel more alive than dicing with the Lord of Death.
Mike Hailwood is the Isle of Man TT. My hero when I was riding and still regarded as the best raw talent - I wonder what Mike could have done with the modern bikes??
Isle of man TT. Is and always will be one the greatest Rach of all time.
I loved Joey but the greatest of all time post WWII was Mike Hailwood, he won on so many different machines and against top class opponents, when the TT was a world title event.
Nice to see a human narrator!
Be careful on that motorcycle , son.'
'Sure Pop , I'm too scared to go fast anyway'.
Instead of banning the race , these concerned citizens should build a monument to the riders who cashed out racing there. A really impressive wedding cake of a monument to exuberantly express Island support for the brave lads who dare to play in this game. Celebrate their young lives as if you cared for them and let that river of cash that the race brings keep on flowing. On an island where scratching your butt is the biggest industry , that money matters. Building a big monument on a windblown promontory would be prideful work and the concerned citizens could feel like they were deliberately taking care of the memories of those poor smashed up young men. They should be celebrated as gladiators in this modern iteration of no BS competition for all the marbles. Said concerned locals seem to see these racers as victims but that is exactly what they are not. It takes sand to sit on one of those rolling rockets and hip-shift it through those turns with a pair of hungry bears right on your ass. That's the very definition of heroism ; to dare to commit to win at the price of your life. Only the bravest of us would even dare...
Not into bikes but a great video
The IOM TT is the best and the competitors enjoy it so much, I always hate those people who harp on about how it's too dangerous and should be banned, but unfortunately one rider died in the 2024 TT, but five climbers have died climbing Everest so I say ban people from mountain climbing....
😰THEIR ALL Freaking NUTS !!!
To me, it is the Mount Everest of racing. As long as people are free to do it, then it should keep going. I’ve been there 10 times since 1990 and I will keep going there. There’s one thing said about the pro’s getting killed, well, no pros got killed this year in 2024, last year was one person and in 2022 5 people died. There are what’s called Spectator crashes and they are pretty deadly too, the authorities there are very tough on speeders.
As long as riders want to race the TT, then they should be allowed to do so without the interference from the namby pamby brigade
its still a road test, for the riders and the machines
You mention TT stands for TOURIST TROPHY, maybe they should have a touring bike race next year something akin to the Harley racing going on in USA ?
Fuel limits would make it 'interesting' Seeing a Gold Wing or BMW grinding expensive bits off on corners could be quite a spectacle.
Personally though, I stopped 'following' IOM TT when speeds and bikes got away from what 'ordinary' road riders could get in 90's (as tech and 'workshop manager' I got to ride a lot of 'fast' bikes back then, 165~70mph being around max speed available)
Please, no!
70 and 90 mpg, 😂 not today matey.
Omitting the sidecars from your telling of TT history is a huge shame. Please don’t overlook this amazing class of motorcycle!
He didn't
If riders want to challenge themselves, let them.
Nobody is forced to enter the TT. Banning it would be taking away the choice. A lot more people have died attempting Mt Everest. Should they ban that? No. Exactly. How about scuba diving? Many more people have died partaking in that sport.
We dont want a nanny state thanks👍🏻
Looking at TV kill more.
Why did i hear skyrim music? 🤔
Do you see any motorcycle cops out there?
lots, especially on mad sunday
Kilometers please!
No.
It's a shame today's organizers couldn't leave the history of the timing blackboards and the scouts that ran it alone.
Easy fix.. put them all on 1940s model bikes and see how they measure up..🤣🤣🤣
Something will have to change....300hp @150 kilos....?
The word "Gladiator" is not a romantic word at all. Slaves being forced to fight to the death to only eventually be slaughtered. To say these racers are to keep going to the eventual slaughter not exactly a romantic term??
Whilst most early combatants were indeed slaves and criminals, grave inscriptions show that by the 1st century A.D., the demographics of gladiators were changing.
Lured by the thrill of combat and public adulation, scores of free men began voluntarily signing contracts with gladiator schools in the hope of winning glory and prize money.
Their portraits graced the walls of many public places; children played with gladiator action figures made of clay; fans supported their favourite individuals or teams and the most successful fighters even endorsed products.
They were the David Beckhams of their day.
@@robertstallard7836 Interesting to know. However, I am not wrong. This TT race is merchandising death every single year. These guys wanna go out there and get killed I could care less. Not going to watch it.
The question is: why is this race still legal and not banned?
Is it because of the big money it brings?
So, lives can be bought
This is the answer
More people pass away walking in the Lake District, each year, than at the TT. Check the stats at all the Mountain Rescue Teams in the Lake District, they're available online. Do you propose they ban walking in the Lake District?
It's legal because the Isle of Man has its own government with its own laws.
They tend to look at laws the UK passes and decide if they wish to adopt them or not. Handguns, for example, are not restricted to the same extent as in the UK. No-one had been shot with one on the island for decades, so there was no need.
The UK sets a speed limit of 60mph for most vehicles on a desrestricted road. The Isle of Man does not.
Believe me, if the island was part of the UK, the nanny state government would have stopped the TT decades ago.
I doubt if anyone races there for the money, the financial reward is not great when compared to other sports.
Nothing in sports is worth the very big risk of crashing into a stonewall doing 180 mph! Why not reduce to 400 cc?
W
How would that be any safer?
@@davidmatthews3093 TT average speed record nearly tripled since the early years. Impact damage quadruples when speed is doubled. F1 reduced from 3 to 1.6 Litres, Paris Dakar from 1000 to 450 and Moto GP from 1000 to 850 why not the TT ?
If you can do a lap speed over 130 mph on a 600cc, dropping to 400 is going to make no difference at all.
The great Joey Dunlop lost his life riding a 125 or 250 cc bike, but at least something was tried to minimize deadly crashes if the displacement was reduced.. just like they did at the Paris Dakar.
It's a corpse lottery, plain and simple.
what does that mean
0:17 I slowed it down to see the brown bits left on the road, but nothing! He must've had it clenched closed tight.
Road running lunatics!! ☠