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Isle of Man Centenary TT

The current strength of the festival is testament to the efforts of all those involved in the 100 years of excitement, glory, exhilaration, triumph and tragedy which have made the TT what it is today.

For two weeks of every year the eyes of the world focus on the Isle of Man – the jewel of the Irish Sea – as the finest road racers on the planet pit their skills against the 37¾ miles of public roads that form the legendary TT circuit.

The way was paved for the TT by the Isle of Man’s 1904 law allowing roads to close for the Gordon Bennett car trials. With road closure and speed limit laws preventing a much-wanted British motorcycle race on UK roads, the organiser, the Auto Cycle Club, turned to the Isle of Man and, in 1907, the TT was born.

The first races ran on the St John’s course, a 15.8-mile circuit in the west, and four years later motorcycles moved to the legendary Mountain Course.

Little did the pioneers of those early years know of the legacy they were creating, an unbelievable test of strength and courage which would become as legendary as the illustrious names it would feature.

In the halcyon days when motorcycle racers were household names and the TT was the pinnacle of the international two-wheel calendar, the entry list read like a who’s who of motorcycling legends: Woods, Guthrie, Simpson, Duke, McIntyre, Surtees, Hailwood, Ubbiali, Agostini, Redman, Read.

When the TT lost its world championship status in 1977 many feared it was the end, but, instead, the event emerged as a haven for real road race specialists eager to make their mark on the Mountain Course, the most challenging and demanding circuit in the world.

The TT continued to attract, and forge, motorcycling heroes. Grant, Rutter, Hislop, Fogarty, McCallen, Jefferies and McGuinness came to the forefront, but one name stood out - Joey Dunlop.

Undoubtedly the greatest, Joey conquered all as he scored a record-breaking 26 victories. The Ballymoney man arguably did more for the TT races than any other rider, becoming synonymous with the event and an ambassador for the TT.

Throughout its history, the TT has seen rules and regulations change. From the Twins and Singles classes of 1907, through the advent of classes for 125cc and 250cc machines to the 2005 changes that saw Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes adopted.

Over the years records have fallen, legends have been made and tens of thousands of loyal fans have made the annual pilgrimage to the Road Racing Capital of the World – and long may it continue!
 

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