THE ISLE OF MAN TT RACES (1)
4.5 miles into the lap, this is an excellent vantage spot-refreshments on site
see you behind the grandstand at the KRC display
see you at the RADIO TT unit in the STAKIS HOTEL
IF IT RAINS--SEE ME IN THE BEER TENT !
Like the DAWN, the ISLE OF MAN weather is quite unique--It can be sunny in DOUGLAS and lashing down with rain in RAMSEY-
The Isle is of course an island in the middle of the Irish Sea.
Once Practice Week has been completed, the first Race on the extensive TT Programme is the FORMULA ONE ,said by some,to be the best race of the Series----
Reason ? Simply because, after a week of practice, the participants are all hyped up and machinery is new and correctly set up for the race. By the Friday of race week both men (and women ) and machines are ready to go home for a rest !
It is a very prestigeous race, with the contest being fought between works-sponsored machines ridden by the cream of TT riders. For the last few years the F1 has been a HONDA benefit but, even so,the racing is close, fast and exciting. It is good race to watch from the Grandstand area, especially if this is your first TT visit for you will learn how the TT is run, see the start, watch the pitstops and wave to the winner as he crosses the line after nearly two exhausting hours at high speed. You then have time to see the winner get his laurels, his accolade and his champagne and still have time to grab a lunch or have a beer before seeing another kind of racing--the SIDECARS-
So we have had breakfast, made sure there is a film in the camera, packed a few sarnies plus something to place between yourself and the hard grandstand seats and you make your way up to the start.
You can see the huge tower in the distance, topped by the array of T.V. and communication aerials. You arrive and park your vehicle (two- or four-wheeled) in the allocated spaces on the field beside the Fun Fair.
There is a buzz in the air and everybody there greets you with smiles and a handshake. You find your seat and take stock of the magnificent view.
The flags of all the participating nations fly in the breeze and you can see the riders having their bikes cleared for racing.
The noise of traffic slowly dwindles as the roads are closed to the public and the first of the gaudily dressed Travelling Marshalls sets off to check that all marshall posts are manned and that there have been no incidents which might interfere with the start.
The Boy Scouts come onto the start area carrying the flags of all the participating countries. The build up starts properly when the voice of Peter Kneale
There is no other race course like the TT course and we are now (if we were not before ) fully aware of it !
Peter takes control again to relay to us the nonstarters list, changes of entry ( machines and riders )and generally fills us up with all of the information Peter is so good at giving us.
As the magic hour approaches the grandstand completely fills up and the riders and their mechanics begin to bring their machines on to the start area on Glencrutchery Road. The engines are started and warmed up. More travelling marshalls set off and the dais is set up for the starter.
The first of the sequentially numbered machines are now released into the " starting blocks" and the mechanic drifts to the side of the road away from his rider....The rider is now ON HIS OWN. He smiles sheepishly to his mechanic who gives a visibly nervous thumbs up.....
WE ARE NOW READY !!!!!!
On the Hour the starter drops the flag and the first rider sets off on his lonely race against time. Being first away he has to remain unpassed since if he is passed it shows him he has lost at least TEN SECONDS. As the rest of the field set off Peter Kneale talks over the noise, identifying each rider, his history, his previous results and what he is riding.
When a number of riders are on their way, Peter passes over to the next commentator who continues the race picture and then he too passes to the next and so on .
The commentator at Ramsey Hairpin gives us the latest information as the riders pass him to start the climb up the mountain
The Green light comes on over the riders number on the scoreboard to show us he has reached Cronk-ny-Mona and he then screams through the start to begin a second lap.
More lights-----more riders completing their first lap. Someone comes into the pits to carry out an adjustment then sets off, having lost valuable time. Another coasts in slowly,
his race is over already... ....
THE RACE IS ON FOR THE REST
The commentary keeps us completely up to date throughout the battle and we are as drained as the riders themselves.
The Pit Stops now come into the equation as riders bring nearly empty machines into their pits to refuel and change helmet/gloves etc. A welcome drink is taken via a straw. Pit stops are quickly, yet calmly carried out and away they go again. (Races can be won and lost on pit stops so care is taken not to foul it up......)
And so the race continues.....................
Six laps in two hours ! Now that really is something !
The WINNER crosses the line, takes the chequered flag and the Grandstand erupts with cheers and shrieks. The members of the press run to get his comments and his machine is taken for post race examination (was he using the allowed fuel etc.) He then goes to the podium to get his winners laurels plus the champagne and has a photoshoot with the promogirls and the press.
THEN IT'S BACK TO THE BEER TENT AGAIN.
Right--before I end this section I do not want you to think I am an alcoholic with all this talk of "beer tents"... The "BEER TENT" is the centre of the known universe where, after a TT race, people conglomerate to purchase a plastic pint glass of the very special celebration OKELLS ALE. This ale is brewed on the Isle of MAN and it is a most refreshing pint---The Isle of Man is surrounded by sea so the salty air makes you right thirsty !
We generally purchase rounds of this fine concoction then sit in a huge group on the grassed area behind the Grandstand with friends from all over the world. I use the word "friends" advisedly, since these people come to the Island year after year to see an event which has no comparison.
Some of us are now going off to Ballacraine to watch the sidecars and when this race is completed, the first week of the TT festival is over
So MUCH still to see !!!!
1/-IOMTT
2/-DAYTONA
3/-ASSEN
4/-MACAU
5/-LE MANS
e-mail ian.huntly@ttfan.co.uk
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