100th anniversary of the Isle of Man TT
(Page 5 of 6)
November/December 2007
Story and photos by Jason Roberts
Given the age of these machines, the reenactment was a friendly event with no real competition. Nevertheless, current TT superstar Guy Martin (who talks as fast as he rides!) got caught up in the spirit of the event, riding a 500cc 1938 Triumph Tiger 100 to “second place.”
RELATED CONTENT
As the only American ever to take a win at the Isle of Man TT, Dave Roper stands alone....
Trials legend and former road racer Sammy Miller walked away unhurt from a spectacular crash durin...
Riding Mike Hailwood's history-making Ducati 900F1 racer....
News, Events and Sidebars from Motorcycle Classics...
“I am loving this!” said Martin. “It’s not exactly the type of bike I’m used to riding — and the gear change is on the wrong side of the bike compared with my normal machines, but to take part in such a historic event is a fabulous way to mark the history and all the hard work that people put into the TT.”
My favorite moment was the “Lap of Champions,” which featured still more pristine examples of famous winning bikes from TTs past, ridden for the most part by the original racers. The bikes were given the stick for thousands of fans along the seaside Promenade, the main drag of the island’s capital, Douglas, and the center of the TT social scene. It was beautiful music, like a concert of classic rock-n-roll played by the old masters on priceless vintage guitars!
MV Agustas and Gileras of the 1950s had the best screech, with the famous Honda 250cc six-cylinder racer from a decade later pulling a very close second. Then there was the wonderful banshee wail of Mick Grant’s 1970-something Kawasaki H2R. I’d have to give the loudest overall to the head-splitting song of the 1938 DKW supercharged two-stroke (yes, that’s a supercharged two-stroke!), which let off an incredible roar through its dual megaphone pipes that had onlookers holding their ears in agony! How this thing’s noise was tolerated by the rider back in the day, I have no idea.
By the fortnight’s end, the 130mph average speed barrier had been shattered by John McGuiness, some 83,000 pints of beer were consumed (on just the first weekend!), about 200 rear tires were shredded by the stunters along the Promenade, 71,000 residents of the Isle were a lot richer, and 150,000 TT fans were well satisfied with the whole event. Will I be back? Most definitely, but next time I need a bike. Now if I can just find some kind soul to loan me some wheels locally ... MC
TT Resources
Want go to the Isle for the 2008 races May 24-June 6? You’d better start planning now. Reservations for ferry service to the Isle fill fast, but there are flights in and out of Castletown from England, Ireland and Scotland.
Ferry: http://www.steam-packet.com
Flights: www.gov.im/tourism/travel
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 | 5 |
6 |
Next >>