IOM TT 2024

[Rob 131 Sport]

Now that we’re into mid April thoughts turn to this years TT where practice starts on the 27th May.

The starting order for the Superbike, Superstock and Senior has been announced and it’s great to see that no less than John McGuinness is starting at Number 1.

John is 6 months older than me and I can’t believe he’s still at the sharp end, especially when you consider his dreadful NW200 accident 7 years ago.

My enthusiasm for the TT has never waned in 40
years and I can’t wait to get on the ferry over to the island next month.

[Rob 131 Sport]

A993LAD said:

Looking forward to the TT and I've subscribed to TT+ Live.

Just checked the weather forecast and it looks a bit sketchy with light rain on most days which might make it pretty tricky for the organisers.

Hopefully it will be okay. It was great last year with good weather for most of the fortnight.

I always feel sorry for the spectators when they are stuck out on the course for hours on end in the damp fog only for the day's racing to finally get cancelled.

The outlook doesn’t look brilliant and I’m not sure what the riders current thoughts are regarding riding on damp roads following a shower.
I’m going out next Wednesday and have also booked for next year. With Michael, Dean, Peter and many other top competitors riding were in a bit of a golden era, so it would be a shame not to be there.

However if it’s too much waiting around with no / little action then TT 2026 may be watched from Marbella.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Thanks for sharing such a great article and it’s really quite poignant in consideration of the subsequent tragic events.

We arrived on the island this evening and just need to plan some new viewing locations over the next few days. Does anyone have any recommendations for Glen Helen with access to a restaurant or coffee shop as the wife is with me.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Thursday 30th May 06:17

[Rob 131 Sport]

It was one of my favourite races ever at the TT and the Fan Park Celebrations were very emotive. Dean’s performance surprised me on the 600 and I don’t think he’ll be too far away in the Superbike.

However I think Peter will come out fighting tomorrow with DT providing the closest opposition.

[Rob 131 Sport]

y2blade said:

Absolutely crazy!!! Anything can and does happen at the TT

I was standing next to where Michael stopped. I felt so sorry for him. I also felt sorry for DT, who can’t be far from a TT victory.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Davetheraver said:

KingGary said:

MGP was brilliant, especially when it used to be the full two weeks. Much more laid back, older/polite people, really interesting bikes from all eras, better weather. Loved it, shame it’s so short now.

This is the first TT race week I’ve done in years and it’s been too busy for me and too many knobs. Next year I’ll go back to practice week only I think. I’m lucky as we have a place here so can come and go when we want. It’s worth coming here, even when the racing’s not on, plenty to see and do, especially if you’re miserable and antisocial like me!

Definitely more and more idiots arriving each year and they are starting to ruin the event.

Had a few drinks in Douglas yesterday and got the bus home. Some absolute clowns on the bus giving grief to a couple of girls who were just trying to get home in peace, and also giving stick to a teenage lad who had obviously been working all day and just wanted a quiet trip home.

We had a word on the lm and they stopped for a few minutes but then started up again, so chatted to the driver and he turfed them off at the next stop.

Genuine fans seem less and less as the place is gradually getting taken over by idiots wanting likes for their social media feeds which is why certain places are absolutely rammed (where is the pleasure in that?) and yet the real fans are all over the course in great spots with barely another spectator in sight.

The amount of people drinking trackside is a worry as well. Its only a matter of time before something happens as a result of some tool dropping a can or bottle onto the track.

I’ve been coming here for years and I noticed a general reduction in behavioural standards, with people completely hammered and stinking of drugs. I was watching at the top of Bray Hill on Friday night and some bright spark dropped a can of lager onto the track as the Superbike’s were coming down. One of the bikes struck the can with no undue consequences. However it could be so different. Moreover a lot of people seem to have no knowledge of the racers or what is going on regarding the race.

I’ve also noticed an increased number of people with dogs (usually of the vicious variety) trackside and in the paddock (especially in the food areas). How long until one of them gets out onto the track.

There is also seen an increase in the number of people with babies at the side of the track or in the Fan Park. With the noise and drunkenness this is hardly a suitable environment for a baby.

Notwithstanding the above, I’ll be back next year because it’s such a spectacle and we’re in a Golden Era of TT Racing.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Tuesday 4th June 23:15

[Rob 131 Sport]

It must be so difficult for the organisers to keep everyone happy. However, I think it brings back the old debate as to whether they should run races in the damp or wet that has effectively been outlawed since the crashes at Union Mills in 2011. What are the riders opinion on this, does anyone know.

I would love to see Dean win the senior tomorrow, although I suspect DT will take it.

[Rob 131 Sport]

nordboy said:

Davetheraver said:

Dunlop and Hickman out. Bummer

Looked like PH was very much on a lap record as well. Real shame, but I guess good for the newbies on the podium. Shame the riders aren't closer though, looks like the result is sorted out already unless someone else drops out.

Apparently PH is in the pub, not in a helicopter?

Can’t see him ordering a Shandy

[Rob 131 Sport]

LostNotFound said:

As there's a lot of TT going experience here I thought I'd ask;

What campsite do you guys recommend? After years of wanting to go, I finally bit the bullet and reserved a ferry for next year (and an operation to sell a kidney in time for the balance). I'll be there race week but only Monday to Friday rather than over the Senior if that makes any difference.

I'll be a larry no mates, and although a pub near by for a couple of pints in the evening would be nice, I'm not someone who is going to be out till early hours, I'll pretend that's so I will be in a fit state to ride to a spot before roads close, on the two gloriously sunny days of Racing, but mainly I'm old and boring.

From looking so far Laxey seems the most likely for me, I just wondered if there were any personal recommendations.

I’ve previously stayed at Glenlough Campsite with a mate that was great. In recent years with the wife we’ve done the homestay and this year rented an apartment.
However I’m going on my own next year so I will be back to camping. I walked passed the Laxey site this year and it looked nice. However it’s a little remote and as I won’t be on a bike, I’ll probably stay at Glenlough as it’s on the course which is handy if the practice or racing is uncertain. It’s also within walking distance of Douglas and the paddock.