Isle of Man TT Races
Europe Isle of Mann United Kingdom

Fun at the Isle of Man TT Races

One of my favourite travel memories is attending the Isle of Man TT Races. As I’m not a motorcycle fan, or even a motor racing fan this may seem like an unusual travel choice for me. But perhaps that makes it even more of a recommendation when I say I wholeheartedly enjoyed the event, and my visit to the Isle of Man.

If you’re a bit hazy on where and what the Isle of Man is, it’s in the Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland. It’s part of the British Isles but not part of the United Kingdom. Jubilee girl Queen Elizabeth is the head of state (by holding the title of Lord of Mann) but it has its own legislative assembly. Confused? The Isle of Man is what is known as a self-governing Crown Dependency.

The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race is infamously dangerous, seeing many crashes, injuries and fatalities over the years since the first event in 1907. It’s a time trial event that takes place on public roads, which are obviously closed to normal traffic. Watching the bikes slide around corners next to old stone walls I had my heart in my mouth. I saw one rider spin out and slide into the wall, fortunately he walked away.

Nowadays the racing is part of the Isle of Man TT Festival and the whole island welcomes masses of visitors to enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of the Isle of Man, as well as the days of racing.

Travel to the Isle of Mann TT races

View of Liverpool from Ferry

It’s easy to travel to the Isle of Man TT races on the ferry from Liverpool. I joined thousands of “motorcycle enthusiasts” making pilgrimage to the motor racing capital of the world. There were people from all over the world of varying sexes, colours, ages, shapes and sizes, but all dressed in leather and packing helmets.

Isle of Man TT Races

Even watching the practice racing was exhilarating. Displays of amazing speed and skill on those narrow, winding roads.  The week I was there three people died in the practice week! There were lots of articles in the papers while I was there describing accidents but I don’t think anyone died in the actual racing.  The Isle of Mann TT races is about street racing and if something goes wrong, you’re looking at meeting up with a tree, power pole, stone wall etc.

Tips for watching the Isle of Man TT races

It was easy enough to find a good vantage point on the track on race day. I decided on a grandstand spot in front of a beautiful old kirk/church at Braddon. This had one of those amazing old graveyards full of leaning tombstones, yew trees and long grass. Note the ‘three legs of man’ symbol on the far right tombstone.

Isle of Man TT Races

I was nice and early for a front row seat and sat down to wait.  Basically it was a similar experience to going to a cricket match. It rains a bit, then it stops and they announce over the loud-speaker that if it doesn’t rain any more they’ll start in an hour, then it rains a bit more and they push back the start time again etc.  Perhaps some of you know what I mean? Finally they managed to squeeze in two laps of the production race.

Isle of Man TT Races

The day of the grand finale of the week’s racing, the Senior TT, dawned sunny and clear. The conditions were perfect and they just seemed to glide around the corners on those amazing machines. I enjoyed my trip to the Isle of Man TT races and thoroughly recommend it for a fun weekend!

By Natasha von Geldern

Have you been to the Isle of Man TT races?

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3 Comments

  1. Motorcycle racing is hardcore! I would love to watch some races in person, but I’d probably have a heart attack worrying that they’d crash and burn. I guess car races can be just as deadly, but motorcycles don’t seem to offer any protection.

  2. What an interesting experience. I had never even heard of this place.

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