Short Breaks on the Isle of Man – Motorsport Events
The Isle of Man plays host to a number of special motorsports events throughout the course of each year and Steam Packet Holidays have supported many of these by putting together great value short break holidays to the Isle of Man.
Motorbike Events
TT - A Brief History
The world famous TT. Motorcycle Races celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2007, having been held on the Isle of Man since 1907. But why was this tiny Island in the middle of the Irish Sea originally chosen as the venue? Well, we have to go back to 1904 to find the reason. That was the year the Manx Road Closing Act was passed by the Manx Parliament to enable the Gordon Bennett Motor Car Road Racing Trials to be held. In fact the Act was passed by both Houses of the Government and signed in the one day!!
On to 1907, and motorcycle racing was becoming popular on the Continent and the Auto Cycle Club, forerunner of today's organisers the Auto Cycle Union, wanted to hold a motorcycle race meeting in the British Isles; but U.K. laws did not allow roads to be closed, and there was a strict speed limit on vehicles, so they turned to the Isle of Man and the 1904 Act was amended to include motorcycles. The TT. was born.
The course selected for that first race was the St. Johns Course, or Short Course. It started at St. Johns, on to Ballacraine, then followed the present course to Kirk Michael; then to Peel and back to St. Johns - 10 laps making a race distance of 158 miles with the riders forced to stop for a 10 minute break half way through. The reason for this choice of course was that it was felt that the bikes would not be able to manage the 1400 feet climb up Snaefell Mountain, which the cars were using. On the 28th May 1907 25 entrants, divided into two Classes - Twins and Singles - set off for the historic event. The winners average speed was 38.22 mph - today it is over 120mph. And it wasn't only the speeds that increased; he prize money in 1907 was £25 per race - today it is £13,000 for the major races.
The TT. Mountain Course was first used in 1911 and measures 37.73 miles per lap with the major races, the TT. Formula 1 and Senior covering six laps - a race distance of 226.38 miles. The first races on the Mountain Course were for Senior (500cc) and Junior (350cc) whilst in 1922 a third race was added to the programme, the Lightweight TT. for machines of 250cc. In 1923 a Sidecar Race was introduced and held again in 1924 and 1925 before being dropped. A Race for Ultra-Lightweight machines (175cc) was held in 1924 and 1925. So from 1926 to 1950 it was a three race Meeting - Senior, Junior and Lightweight.
The next major change in the TT. came in 1954, when the 10.73 mile Clypse Course was used for the 125cc race, which had been added to the programme in 1951, and the re-introduced Sidecar TT. In 1955 the Lightweight Race was also moved to the Clypse Course, but in 1960 all Races reverted to the Mountain Circuit. In 1962 a 50cc Race was held, and this continued until 1968, when the Sidecar Races were divided into two classes. In 1967 a three class Production Machine Race was introduced and these ran until 1976 but were then re-introduced from 1984 to 1989. After an absence of six years, an Open Production Class for machines of up to 1010cc was introduced in 1996. In 1977 the TT. Formula 1,2 and 3 Races were first held. The two smaller classes are not now included in the programme, but the Formula 1 Race is always held on the first Saturday of the Meeting, and now includes 500ce GP and 1010cc machines. In 1989 the 125cc Race was brought back into the programme and in 1990 Supersport 400 and Supersport 600 Races were included for the first time. In 1994 a race for Single Cylinder machines was introduced. The most recent change has been the introduction in 1999 of a Lightweight 400cc Race, replacing the Supersport 400, and run concurrently with the Lightweight 250cc Race. The Junior Race is now for 600cc machines.
The International flavour of the Meeting can be judged by the fact that in 1999 no fewer than 20 countries had competitors entered for the Races - Australia, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Vietnam and Wales. Interest from North America has grown over the years and, from just two entrants a couple of years ago, last year there were 12. The most successful foreign country at the TT. is Germany with 32 wins, followed by Italy with 21. The following foreign countries have all provided TT. winners - Australia, Austria, Eire, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia, Switzerland and the United States.
Distances raced over the Mountain Course have varied from 10 laps to two, according to the size of machine and the importance of the Class. Since its inception, up to and including 1999, a total of 472 races have been held 424 of them on the Mountain Course. History was made in the 1989 TT. Races when Steve Hislop (750 Honda) became the first man to lap the course at over 120mph. His lap record was set in the TT. Formula 1 Race - 18m. 39.4s. - 121,34mph. In 1992 Carl Fogarty, the multiple World Superbike Champion, set a new absolute course record - 123.61 mph in the Senior T. T. But Steve Hislop won that race at a new race record of 121.28mph on the 588cc rotary-engined Norton, thus giving Norton their first Senior victory since 1961. The first official 100mph lap was recorded by Bob McIntyre (Gilera) in the 1957 Senior Race, and the first rider to average over 100mph for a race was John Surtees (MV Agusta) in the 1960 Senior at 102.44mph. The current absolute course record was set in the 1999 Senior Race when Jim Moodie (750 Honda) lapped in 18m. 11.4s. -124.45 mph, and Dave Molyneux/Craig Hallam (600 Honda) set a new Sidecar lap record in 20m. 04.5s. - 112.76 mph.
Over the years the TT. has now become a Festival of Motorcycle Sport, with over 40,000 fans travelling to the Island for two weeks of pure magic. Additional races have been added, the Classic Races on the Southern 100 course are held on the Monday of Practice Week and a National Meeting, which attracts the TT. Stars is held on the final Saturday, again on the 4.25-mile Southern 100 Course. There are Moto-Cross meetings, Trials, Sprints, Sand Racing, Grass Track Racing events, and almost every make of machine holds it's annual Rally on the Island during the fortnight. The rear of the Grandstand at the start of the race is transformed into a Mini-Market with trade stands selling all sorts of souvenirs of the Island, there is a Beer Tent and a restaurant where corporate hospitality can be arranged, all within the sound of the racing. There really is something for everybody at this festival of Motor Cycle Racing - which justifies the Island as "THE ROAD RACING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD".
2005 saw major changes in the solo classes being run at the TT, bring the classes in line with the specifications for the World and British Superbike, Supersport and Superstock machines.
For more information on the event, check out www.iomtt.com.
2007 is the centenary of the TT and during that time many changes have taken place, however, one constant during the last 99 years of the TT has been the role that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has had to play in bringing over the many thousands of spectators and competitors for this international event. It is true to say that a few years ago many people would spend the full TT fortnight on the island however these days a short break on the Isle of Man for TT has become the norm. In line with the TT, the Steam Packet Company have moved with the times and now operate some of the most up to date vessels on their network of routes around the Irish Sea.
Southern100
First run in 1955, the Southern 100 Road Races attracted seventy-three entries for three races in the then 'traditional' classes, 250cc; 350cc and the premier 500cc class.
The very first race, the 350cc event was won by Manxman, Derek Ennett riding an AJS at an average of 76.79 miles per hour.
The '350' was followed by the 250 race, over six laps, twenty - five miles with Manchester's Dave Chadwick taking the chequered flag at some 65.50 mph.
The premier event, the 500cc race, held over twenty - four laps, a distance of one hundred miles and from where the meeting gained its title saw Liverpudlian Terry Shepherd take victory by just 100 yards from 350cc winner Derek Ennett.
The three race programme, which some described as ambitious back in 1955, completed, competitors and officials took part in a Gymkhana at the near by Castletown Stadium!
From an 'Open to Centre' Status meeting in 1955, the "Southern" gained National Status in 1958 and was included in the British Championships in 1969. More recently the annual July event has been included in the prestigious Irish Regal Championships during 1992 and 1993 and has now gained European recognition.
From its inception the Southern 100 has provided the keenest competition among some of the best known names in British racing, including the great Glaswegian, Bob McIntyre along with his life long friend Alastair King.
Alan Shepherd and Phil Read provided the closest ever finish at the meeting in 1961 'dead heating' in the 350cc race.
The same year saw the first "works" bike being raced on the 4.25 mile course with John Hartle showing the opposition a clear set of megaphones on the fabulous 250cc Honda four cylinder machine.
Riders like Selwyn Griffiths, Brian Steenson, Charlie Williams, Tom Herron and Billy Guthrie all cut their teeth at the Southern, all, eventually taking the Solo Championship honours.
One of Ireland's favourite sons Ray McCullough broke the 90 mph barrier in the 350cc race in 1975. Twelve months later one Joey Dunlop made his debut and returned home with the Solo Championship!
Nineteen eighty - three saw the 'ton' achieved by Banbridge's Brian Reid on his RG500 Suzuki, during the 1300cc race.
Sidecars were introduced to the programme in 1962 and have provided some great racing each year since; Charlie Freeman and Chris Vincent taking the early honours, whilst more latterly Lowry Burton claimed a total of thirteen race victories including four Sidecar Championships to become the most successful sidecar competitor. An initial seventy - three entries at the first meeting on Thursday 14th July, 1955, over 13,000 entries have been received and accepted since, the highest figure being 495 in 1991.
Some 2,192 riders have competed in 353 races, completing 71,735 racing laps a distance of 304,873.75 miles!
Since the first meeting in 1955, there have been forty-six "main" solo races, firstly in the 500cc class, then from 1968 the Solo Championship. The Solo Championship Race was abandoned in 1968, leaving 45 'Champions' of which twenty -four titles have been won by sixteen English riders, the most successful being Terry Shepherd and Bill Smith with three wins apiece; thirteen by eight Irish Competitors. Joey Dunlop collecting six of the thirteen Championships.
Father and son Welshmen, Selwyn Griffiths have three solo titles, Selwyn in 1966 and Jason in 1994 and 1996, whilst Manxman Kenny Harrison claimed the Championship Flag twice with Scotsman Alastair King lifting the title once.
Blair Degerholm became the first New Zealander to win the Solo Championship in 2000.
The story of the S100 event and race results can be viewed at www.southern100.com.
Since 1991 the Steam Packet Company have supported a National Meeting run by the S100 Club which is traditionally held on the Saturday at the end of TT race week , the idea of the event was to provide entertainment for those people staying over beyond the end of race week.
The Steam Packet also sponsor one of the races held during the July S100 meeting and have been involved in packaging short breaks to this and other events through their in house tour operator Steam Packet Holidays.
MGP
The idea of a race for young motorcycling amateurs and private entrants, on the world famous TT Course, was first mooted in the early twenties; indeed a request was made by the Manx Motor Cycle Club to hold a one-lap race for amateurs in the 1921 TT meeting, but this was dismissed out of hand by the ACU. It would appear that the Motor Cycle Trade Society was a strong voice in arguing against an amateur race.
Another reason was that in 1921 the Auto-Cycle Union – organisers of the TT Races in the Island since 1907 – announced the possibility of the 1922 TT Races being held in Belgium. This bombshell was met by the Manx Motor Cycle Club, who realised the importance of motorcycle road racing to the Island. The course was ready to use and all the facilities provided but it was still a mammoth task to be faced. As it happened, the TT did not move to Belgium, but the amateur race went ahead.
One problem facing the organisers – how to define an amateur. Long and complicated rules were drawn up including "a person who is not at the time of making entry, or has not been since the first day of January 1923, engaged in the manufacture for sale, or sale or repair, or the exhibition of motor cars or motorcycles, their parts or accessories; has not since the 1st of January 1921 accepted, and undertakes not to accept, any monetary benefit or consideration, or the equivalent thereof, from any person or firm engaged or directly interested in the manufacture for sale, or the sale of motor cars or motorcycles, their parts or their accessories".
These were just two of the lengthy paragraphs in the rules to try to define an amateur. Not ideal, perhaps, but at least a basis to go ahead with the races. And so the first Manx Amateur Road race Championship was set to be held on the 20th September 1923. In that first year, and indeed until 1929, there was just one class – 500cc – with a special award for the best performance by a 350cc machine. Councillor A B Crookall, then Mayor of Douglas, presented the club with the principal trophy and the "Motor Cycle" magazine donated the trophy for the best 350. Five laps of the course, one less than the TT, had to be covered – 188.65 miles.
In 1930 came the birth of the Manx Grand Prix. New regulations had been drawn up and it was no longer a race for amateurs, but with experts barred. The rules included: "All entrants, who shall be the drivers, must be British or Irish subjects resident in the British Isles or the Irish Free State, and must hold open competition licences. They must not, since 1920, have been entered as a competitor in any international road race or have held any world motorcycling record. The race to be for machines of up to 350cc and 500cc, and to be over six laps of the TT Course, the meeting to be known as the Manx Grand Prix".
More information on the Manx Grand Prix can be seen at www.iommgp.com
The Steam Packet not only transport competitors and their vehicles to and from this event, their in house tour operator Steam Packet Holidays also puts together combined ferry and accommodation packages for those people wishing to take a holiday on the Isle of Man so that they can watch the event.
Andreas Racing Association
Jurby was originally a WW2 airfield and still retained to day as an emergency landing strip. The various Jurby tracks are a combination of surfaces employing the old runway in places, perimeter roadway and new tarmac, thereby providing variable grip. The new section in front of the hangers, is 7m wide and its addition now provides three permutations offering sections from high speed swervery to technical.
It is the only short circuit in the Isle of Man and situated in the North of the Island, most simply accessed by travelling half way round the TT course to Sulby Hotel and turning left. Jurby is just a couple of miles up the road, entered from the Coast Road gate.
Weather is frequently a determining factor on Jurby’s wide open spaces as winds can force a change of gearing, though with its own microclimate, the weather can often be reasonable here while the rest of the Island gets a soaking.
Racing is organised by the Andreas Racing Association, who stage eight events, plus using it as a paddock for two events on the adjacent Jurby South Road course, some 4.25 miles long.
The ARA run their own race school as an integral part of their meetings, plus pre-licence application courses. Practicing is not possible as such, but Duke Track days usually run sessions immediately prior to ARA race meeting.
For more information on race schedules and results, go to:
www.andras-racing.iofm.net.
Most of the post race awards presentations take place at one of the hotels back in Douglas, accommodation and ferry packages can be arranged through Steam Packet Holidays.
Spectators are always welcome and short breaks on the Isle of Man can also be arranged through Steam Packet Holidays.
TT Marshalls Association
Each year many fans and supporters travel to the Isle of Man for motorcycle races and they may not be aware of the vital contribution that the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Limited plays in the organisation of the races.
The Isle of Man TT Marshals Association was founded in 1962 to improve liaison between marshals and race organisers. In January 2004 we became the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Limited.
For the TT or MGP around 1,200 marshals are signed up for duty. They are all volunteers who give their time freely, many cover all the practice sessions and races, and that totals some 45 hours each, a contribution that is much appreciated. It is a popular mis-conception that you have to be Manx or reside on the Isle of Man, to be a marshal, but this is not the case. Anyone aged over 16 who is able bodied and wants to join us, can apply to become a marshal.
The standard of marshalling on the island is recognised as very high and the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Limited, in conjunction with St John Ambulance, arranges training sessions during the winter months, both on the Island and in the UK.
- The Incident Management Courses (IMC) cover:
- Duties of a Marshal
- Basic first aid training
- The handling incidents including the safety of riders and the removal of damaged machinery.
- The use of flags
- Communications including TETRA Radio's
- Helicopter Procedures
- Control of Prohibited and Restricted Areas.
The certificate given is a Nationally recognised St John Ambulance certificate, 'Emergency Aid for Motorcyclists'
The TT Course is also manned by volunteers from the Hogg Motorsport Association, St. John Ambulance, Red Cross and Civil Defence.
Motorsport Medical Services (M&MS) and the Manx Organisation for Motorsport Medical Officers (MOMMOP) supply all the Paramedics and Doctors stationed around the course.
The Chief Marshal is Roger Hurst, the Chairman of the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Ltd, and the course is divided into 12 sectors, each covered by a Sector Marshal, several deputies and other marshals.
It would be impossible to run the races without the support of these dedicated men and women and the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Limited is always keen to recruit more marshals for the Isle of Man circuits.
Remember that you do not have to attend every race or practice session, every little bit helps, whether you are taking a holiday on the Isle of Man or even just a short break on the Island, why not get in touch.
If you wish to join or obtain more information, check out www.iomttma.com.