While sponsorships help ease the cost of competing, those who come here, often do it for the love of motorcycle racing and not to line their pockets. In fact, most TT racers hold down regular day jobs for the majority of the year. Two fairly recent examples being former Australian TT racer Cameron Donald who works as a plumber, and current super star Guy Martin who works as a truck mechanic.
So while todays GP racers enjoy hefty paychecks, those that compete in the TT do it for the fun, to be part of a tradition and hopefully win the prestigious road race of them all. They spend countless sums of money and use their limited vacation days to take part in the TT simply for a shot at glory or simply to chase a childhood dream.
These grass roots, driving forces are what contribute to shape the unique personality of the TT to this day. The preparation involved in participating in the TT is staggering. In addition to the years it takes to memorize the Just to get on the grid at the TT is a monumental feat.
Those who compete in the TT have gained a unique notoriety that often defines who they are as a person both on, and off the track.
They risk everything in pursuit of two-wheeled glory and have gathered a following not only for their racing prowess, but also for being likable characters that have emerged from the TT ranks. Larger than life personalities have given birth to fan favorites like beloved maverick Guy Martin and time TT winner John McGuinness who is only three races short of tying the all-time record held by IOM legend, Joey Dunlop.
Over the years the TT organizers have had to find ways of minimizing the risk involved in participation. This gives riders more space and lowers the amount of dangerous wheel to wheel racing in such tight quarters. The event is held over the course of two weeks with the first seven days consisting of qualifying and practice and the second week being made up of actual racing. The Senior TT consists of six laps around the In some events riders must make a pit-stop in order to refuel and swap tires.
Aside from individual events such as the Macau Grand Prix, Ireland and Pikes Peak, the TT is about the only place in the world where public roads are closed for the purpose of flat out motorcycle racing. These days, most purpose built race tracks like those used in MotoGP are under four miles long with somewhere between turns on average. Being familiar with a track is essential to going fast so racers spend time memorizing them by watching onboard footage, or walking or riding a bicycle or scooter before the race.
While track safety and rider gear have made huge strides in the last half century, GP venues have been required to have hundred foot long run off areas outside of every turn. Compared to those proper race tracks, the This means riders must memorize every one of the courses corners, if a rider confuses turn with turn - that may be the difference between crashing and shaving a split second off their lap time.
Because of this most experienced riders feel it takes roughly three years to memorize the TT course. Unlike a closed course track, these stretches of asphalt were not built for the purpose of racing. These things cannot be removed for the races and as a result they present a very real danger to the riders.
Add into the equation that these racers must wrestle their increasingly faster bikes around the course, blitzing past stone walls and other immovable objects at speeds most of us will never experience in our lifetime. As the bikes become faster and faster, the course becomes more and more deadly.
This is essentially what makes the Isle of Man so dangerous. That makes for some exciting viewing but real dangerous racing. At one point the FIM eventually made the decision to remove the TT from the Grand Prix calendar in because it was too treacherous for them to support any further racing at this location.
This monumental decision would shape the TT into what it has become today. The TT has always had official organizers and management, however the sheer number of people required to put on an event on such a massive circuit is staggering. As a result the TT employs the use of volunteer track marshals who do everything from reporting accidents to sweeping up the debris. This speaks volumes about the enthusiasm and passion the locals have for this event.
Unlike MotoGP and WSBK racing where the pits are off limits to everyone other than team members and occasionally press, the TT allows fans to openly walk around the paddock area, mingling with the TT stars. This has created to a much more intimate, community oriented event in contrast to the restricted access you experience at the new FIM series. A very interesting safety practice that developed out of necessity is the unique method employed by medical response units at the TT. Because the course covers nearly 40 miles, on narrow two lane country roads, ambulance response time is too long.
The solution to this problem was simple, yet brilliant. Experienced trauma doctors such as Dr. John Hinds, the individual who pioneered this concept, will set-off a few seconds after the racers and they follow them at near racing speeds so that each class has a doctor bringing up the rear.
Following the racers on their own purpose built super bikes which carrying all the necessary medical gear, has proven to be the best procedure for this particular style of racing.
It keeps medical personnel within a couple minutes of any accident on the course. The rest of the medical team would then make their way to the crash site using choppers and ambulances if the need arises, if they need to further assist the medical rider on scene. Sidecar TT Race 2. Get closer to the action. Bennetts Rewards customers can enjoy exclusive access and opportunities.
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