IOMTT: Colin’s TT Blog – First Day of Racing

A world traveler on two-wheels, Asphalt & Rubber reader and good friend Colin Evans is attending his first Isle of Man TT this year. We asked him to share his perspective on the trip, as both someone new to the Isle of Man, but also as a veteran of the world and riding motorcycles. Our hope is that it will be an informative, yet different, perspective than your typical coverage of the IOMTT. Please enjoy! -Jensen

Mad Sunday at the Isle of Man TT is usually a day with no races where everyone, and I mean everyone, gets to ride the course together. I got out ahead of the pack this morning to record a video of a clean ride around the course.

It’s the first time the course has actually been dry enough for me to enjoy it. It was also my fourth ride around, and I’m beginning to know my way.

The local police are particularly vigilant and their website states, “Mad Sunday is traditionally a time for that little bit of extra exuberance, which creates problems when people run out of skill, then run out of road. With a dry and sunny day forecast, we are expecting large numbers of bikes to be out from early doors. We are totally geared up for this, and will be out there at peak strength to quell any over-enthusiasm, and deal with people whose standards of road use fall below the expected standard.”

A model of understatement I think you’ll agree but, as predicted, a rider ran out of skill and road at the Gooseneck just as I arrived there and the road was blocked for an hour.

So, I stopped and had the pleasure of a long conversation with Inspector Andy Kneen on Parliament Square in Ramsey. I learned that: the police view the TT and its visitors as generally trouble-free with “shared enthusiasm, mutual support, and generally good behaviour”.

I also learned that they wear the white helmets all year round now because it was too much trouble to swap between seasons.

For the Superbike race I took advantage of the press access to the start line and pit return lane to really get close to what was happening – the intensity of the concentration at the start, the organised chaos during pit stops, and the disappointed looks when bikes were retired.

Nothing prepares you for noise of the bikes coming down Glencrutchery Road at the end of the first lap at 1800mph; ironically with the cemetery as the backdrop.

After the race, the winner Bruce Anstey came over to the VIP area and could not have been nicer in meeting and chatting with everyone who approached him; a genuinely nice guy.

There was a group of New Zealand visitors (50th birthday trip for one of them) who were, needless to say, particularly enthusiastic to meet him; I suspect that alcohol had been consumed.

Photos: John McGuinness straining to get started; I know this is John McGuinness as it’s written on his front tyre – Bruce Anstey in front of a big poster of Bruce Anstey – Bobbies and their white helmets in typical bobby poses at Parliament Square, Ramsey – Pit Lane during fuel and tyre changes being carefully managed – The scoreboard technology is PAINT; here the first six riders’numbers are being painted in for each lap along with their lap times – Charlie Boorman was in the VIP bar – Along with the aforementioned enthusiastic Kiwis.

What a great introduction to the people of the Isle of Man and the spectacle and camaraderie of the TT.