Context 153 - March 2018

C O N T E X T 1 5 3 : M A R C H 2 0 1 8 33 MATTHEW RICHARDSON The TT Races and the landscape In a way that is perhaps unique among the world’s sporting events, a symbiotic relationship has developed over the past 111 years between the TT Races and the island’s physical landscape. The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) is arguably the most famous motorcycling event in the world. It is also, with the possible exception of the tailless cat, the most distinctive aspect of the culture of the Isle of Man and best known to outsiders. The TT began in 1907, when a group of British motorcycle enthusiasts, disillusioned with the indiffer- ence to the rules and British sense of fair play which they encountered at continental meetings, resolved to set up a road race in Britain.Their objective was to test the products of Britain’s fledgling motorcycle industry, but the law in the UK did not permit the closing of roads for this purpose. However, a precedent existed for this in the Isle of Man, where the autonomous parliament (Tynwald) had allowed roads to be closed for motorcar racing since 1904. Since 1907 a TT meeting has been staged annually, with the only exceptions being the war years and 2001, when it was cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease restrictions. It must be stated that it is not without controversy: with the course running through built-up areas, and lined by stone walls and telegraph poles, the margins for error are slight.The event has claimed over 200 lives and is believed by many to be too dangerous. However, it has an equally if not more passionate band of followers around the world, who consider it the greatest event of its kind anywhere, and many of these people make an annual pilgrimage to see it. The relationship between the physical geography of the island, and the event, is a fascinating one. The current course, adopted in 1911, is the oldest racing circuit still in use in the world. The fact that it follows the line it does was influenced by a number of factors. The original intention was for the course to head south at Quarterbridge towards Castletown, but the Isle of Man Railway would not suspend services over a level crossing. As a result, the course heads instead west towards Peel. As motorcycle technology improved, the circuit was altered to avoid the narrow streets of Peel and take in Snaefell mountain.At its highest point the course reaches over 2,000 feet, and the inclusion of a mountain section makes the TT unique. Nowhere else in the world are riders and machines subjected to such varying gradients, and indeed such stresses. It is for this reason that the race has often been regarded by manufacturers as the toughest proving ground in the world. The event was quickly embraced by the island’s hoteliers, and over the following decades a number of hostelries lining the course became strongly associated with it. With the advent of radio commentary, these Hostelries lining the course have acquired a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. The route of the TT Races