Why daredevil riders still flock to Isle of Man TT despite ‘world’s deadliest race’ claiming lives of 267 motorcyclists
WITH another rider perishing at the Isle of Man TT, the age-old question is being asked once again.
Why do so many motorcyclists risk their lives every year in what has been dubbed the deadliest race in the world?
The answer from many of the competitors is that the danger is what makes the annual test of nerves so thrilling.
This week Spanish motorcyclist Raul Torras Martinez, 40, became the 267th person to lose their life on the notorious 37.73-mile track since the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy began in 1907.
Raul was clocking average speeds of 125 mph as he did the final lap this week, having taken part in 21 races over the past six years.
Even though the TT is a time-trial, which means competitors are racing against the clock rather than overtaking each other on tight bends, it is incredibly perilous.
The main hazards are the trees, lamp posts, stone walls and steep banks on the edge of the 200 bends.
The late motorcycle champ Barry Sheene called it “a suicide mission” and the track requires great skill to get around in one piece.
Thousands apply, but only 60 solo competitors and 30 sidecar pairings get to take on the most dangerous race in motorsport.
Dicing with death
Peter Hickman, 36, who holds the lap record, says: “The danger is what makes it exciting.”
The two men tussling to have the record for the most Isle of Man TT wins know the risk of the sport.
Former bricklayer John McGuinness, 51, who shares 23 wins with Michael Dunlop, said: “During my first race in ’96, I lost my best mate in practice. A lad named Micky Lofthouse.
“I wanted to go home, but I decided to do the race and see what it was like.”
It’s an adrenaline rush like no other that kept tempting him back.
John said: “You race through villages, woodland, over a mountain, big open areas, tight twisty bits, unbelievably fast bits.
“I’ve done extreme sports but I cannot find anything that comes even close.”
Dunlop, 34, who equalled John’s record this week, had even more reason to quit the sport.
His dad Robert, legendary uncle Joey and brother William all died racing motorcycles – although none in the Isle of Man TT.
I’ve done extreme sports but I cannot find anything that comes even close
John McGuinness
Michael said: “Nobody in my mind would have went through what I’ve been through and come back to do this if they didn’t love motorbikes.
“I personally love motorbikes, it’s been my life. I’ve had a fantastic lifestyle out of it.
Four years prior to his death in 2018 aged 32, William told The Sun, “I don’t care if I die racing” because it will be over in “an instant”.
Backlash over ban calls
There have been calls for the Isle of Man TT to be banned.
But that is unlikely because the island in the middle of the Irish Sea has its own independent-minded government.
There are no speed limits for the population of 85,000 people and the event brings in close to an estimated £30 million a year.
Even the relatives of those riders who have died do not wish to see brakes put on the TT.
Leanne Harper, whose partner Dan Kneen died instantly after colliding with a tree in 2018, said: “With the experiences he had and the euphoria he felt, that feeling of being on the edge, Dan lived way more than the average 30-year-old.
“They know the risks, but the passion and joy overcomes that.
“If he was to have the same experiences again, knowing the outcome, he would probably have still raced the TT.”
Last year six riders did not make it off the island alive, which equalled the previous worst year for fatalities.
Tragically, they included Roger Stockton, 56, and son Bradley Stockton, 21, from Crewe in Cheshire, who died when their motorcycle and sidecar hit a wall.
Mark Purslow, 29, from Llanon in west Wales, died during qualifying.
His sister Hana said: “He always said that if he was going to go, that was the way he was going to go.”
Mark perished on the notorious Ballagarey corner – which is nicknamed Ballascarey.
There is no place more dangerous than the TT
Guy Martin
TV presenter Guy Martin lost control of his bike there at 170mph in 2010, escaping the fireball that engulfed his vehicle.
Despite fracturing his spine and bruising both lungs Guy went back the next year.
He said in 2012: “The reason I ride a motorbike is because of the danger and there is no place more dangerous than the TT. I like pushing myself.
“I don’t like routines, I like to be challenged and nothing beats the buzz of going round there.”
Safety measures
This year extra safety measures have been introduced in the hope that less families will be deprived of loved ones.
It includes GPS monitoring and a digital red flag system, so officials can react quickly to any problems.
There is also a huge emergency team on hand, for the inevitable crashes.
Isle of Man TT medical chief Dr Gareth Davies said: “We have a system whereby there are trackside medics that will be at the rider’s side within a matter of seconds.
“And then we have three different helicopters to support the racing, three response cars, and then about five or six different ambulances.”
There’s no way they’re not thinking about what can go wrong or happen
John McGuinness
But there is always a huge risk when a rider travelling at 180 mph can hit a wall at any time.
Even a veteran like McGuinness admits to feeling nervous before heading out to face the demon track.
He said: “We cross each other’s paths and it’s like ‘how are you doing’ but I know they’ll all be s***ing themselves.
“We just cover it up a bit more. There’s no way they’re not thinking about what can go wrong or happen.”