Sports

Isle of Man TT

A Race Like No Other

Oskar Baran, Staff Reporter • April 23, 2024

The History Of Isle Of Man

The Isle of Man tourist trophy, better known as the Isle of Man TT, stands as one of the most prestigious and dangerous Motorsports events in the world. The first TT was held in 1907 and has since become an annual event. Traditionally, it took place in late May but has now moved to June for more favorable weather conditions. It is one of the oldest Motorsports events in history, not only giving the riders an adrenaline rush but also the views. Over the years, the bikes have gotten faster and the fan-base has grown due to the unique challenges that are presented when watching the sport.

A father and son side pod duo, Roger and Bradley Stockton, raced in the 2022 event. During the 2022 event, they both lost their lives on June 10 after a tragic crash.

What is the Isle of Man?

Every year on the small island of Man, there is a town road turned into a race track for motorcycles and Motorsport enthusiasts. The race is not a type of MotoGP race, but instead a street-circuit time attack challenge where racers speed through the street at speeds of 200+ MPH just for a chance of victory. One of Europe’s most dangerous races, the Isle of Man TT is not only a physical but also a mental sport. Since the first race hosted in 1907, there have been 265 deaths, making this the most dangerous Motorsport to date. Racers from all over the world are able to participate without needing to buy a $25.00 racing license. This race is a good place for future riders to show the world what they are made of.

The races travel through a total of 3 major towns on the island. The weather is typically unpredictable, but for the 2024 event, it should be a clear summer week.

The Course and How it Works

The race is hosted in Douglas, Isle of Man, which is an island between England and Ireland. The race spans 33.7 miles of unforgiving terrain, winding through mountains and towns of the Isle. The races will be held this year from June 1st to June 8th, with the last race being the coveted Senior TT. The Isle of Man features 10 races, 2 races for each of the 5 individual race classes: Senior TT, Superbike TT, Supersport TT, Lightweight TT, and Sidecars—motorcycle side pods.

The side pods motorcycle that is featured above usually is driven by two drivers. The reason for these two drivers is to help control the steering on the pod side.

Fastest Lap Record

The fastest lap ever recorded during the races is by Peter Hickman, completed in a total of 17.5 minutes on a BMW S1000 RR race bike. This resulted in his average speed being between 135 and 150 miles an hour. The skill set and courage required to even attempt this are unparalleled, showing us how Peter Hickman is one of the sport’s greatest riders.

Peter Hickman sets the fastest lap during the 2023 event.

Famous Riders & Legends of the Race

Throughout the history of the race, there have been legendary riders such as Joey Dunlop, John McGuiness, Mike Hawkins, and Peter Hickman. All these racers have pushed for greatness in the sport of MotoGP, and they had left their marks on the Isle of Man. Some are still showing up and even helping sponsor the event to this day.

Legends of the sport. Most believe they are the reason for where the sport is today. All sadly have passed away in some form of a crash while racing in the event.

Is It Worth It?

The Isle of Man TT remains a bucket-list item for both riders and fans. It has a risk-reward ratio that is unparalleled to any other Motorsport to this day. It is not only a test of speed but also of the determination of the individual riding. The unique combination of public roads and high speed is a good way to gamble with the riders’ lives. The Isle of Man TT is unmatched even in the world of Motorsports.

Work Cited:

(n.d.). iomtt.com: The World’s #1 TT Website. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.iomtt.com/

(n.d.). Isle of Man TT Races© – Welcome to the official home of the Isle of Man TT Races. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.iomttraces.com/

Issue #6

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About the Contributor

Oskar Baran, EPTV Reporter

Hi, my name is Oskar Baran and I am an EPTV Reporter! This is my second year with the Elmwood Park High School journalism staff. I am a part of the 2025 graduating class. I work outside of school and I enjoy washing and driving my car. My future plan is to be a mechanical engineer at Purdue University.