The Isle Of Man – The World’s Most Dangerous Bike Race
The Isle Of Man is a tiny island located right-smack in between Ireland and the United Kingdom, and although it is technically governed by the British crown, technically it’s a self-governed country.
Being self-governed comes in handy when organizing 200mph + motorcycle races on street roads, specially when they cause several casualties year after year. That’s something that most “normal” governments simply wouldn’t allow. Such race is called the Isle Of Man TT race, which stands for Tourist Trophy. (In case you ever wondered why the Audi TT)
As shocking as that may be, it’s the length and duration of just one racing lap of the TT circuit that’s simply staggering. 37 miles. Yes, just one lap is 37 miles long, and most professional riders can achieve over 200 mph at various points of the track, therefore being able to complete a racing lap in under 17 minutes.
The Isle Of Man TT brings more than highly-tuned sports bikes to the race, but it also attracts the attention of the most skilled side car motorcycle riders in the world, which also contest for glory on the same 37 mile circuit, although there is also a 17 mile “St. John” circuit often used for lesser categories.
Sadly, the 2016 edition of the race has only been underway for less than a week, and it has already claimed the lives of two riders, Dwight Beare, 27, lost his life in a crash around Rhencullen, between the 15- and 16-mile markers on the course, and later in the same day, 50-year-old Paul Shoesmith crashed during Superbike practice on the very fastest part of the course, Sulby Straight.
Is the Isle Of Man a blessing and a course? Most seem to think so, but until high-octane fuel stops running through the racers’ veins, the green and luscious country roads of the famed island will be host to the most dangerous motorcycle race in the world.
Photos via: [Bike Bandit, R&T, Rise of Superman]
