The Isle of Man TT Is the Worlds Premier Motorcycle Racing Championship

Each year, professional riders race through the roads of the Isle of Man to compete for the Tourist Trophy

Sitting in the body of water that divides England and Northern Ireland there is small island that is home to the worlds premier motorcycle race, the Isle of Man TT(Tourist Trophy). Every year millions of people tune in, and tens of thousands of race fans flock to the island to spend a fortnight watching the best motorcycle racers in the world duke it out on the isle's windy roads.

As old as the game itself, the race was started in 1904. The race organizers and and speed lovers of Britain in the early 20 ^th century wanted throw their own installment of the European car racing championships but were given the rub by the British government who responded with an act of parliament that forbid road closures for the purpose of racing. The Brits in the racing scene were undeterred; they keenly thought that the authorities on the Isle of Man would be far more open to the idea, and they were right.

The first quarter of the 1900's was a time of growth for the event. Motorcycle racing wouldn't be introduced until the race was in its second year, and the Tourist Trophy wouldn't emerge until 1911. It was an American-made Indian motorcycle that would take home the first trophy.

Isle of Man racing in it's early days

The annual race would be interrupted by both WWI and WWII. This wouldn't be the only time a world war put the brakes on a motorcycle event(read history of Sturgis). After the second war, the TT picked up again and by 1949 the it became the venue for the motorcycle world championships

Average speeds in motorcycle racing in the early years of the sport hovered around 40-50 MPH. By 1957, the lap record was 99.97 MPH.

As the 60's drew near, The isle of man was about to enter a golden era, rife with highly skilled riders all competing for the trophy. Blazing showdowns left the crowds shocked and entertained more than ever before. The Japanese bike company Honda would make it's first TT appearances during this era and shortly after they would walk away with a title.

Today, The Isle of Man is a phenomenal bout of blistering speed and fierce competition. In the century since it's inception, both the speed of the bikes and the size of the crowds have shot through the roof. Records are broken each year and the current fastest lap speed sits at a whopping 134 MPH. With this fact, the races have gotten far more dangerous. On average, more that two competitors, and sometimes spectators, die each year. The total of deaths during the TT currently stands at 246. It's this startling reality that challenges the courage of the highly-competitive riders who enter this race, but as long as we have motorcycles there will be those talented, brave, and possibly deranged souls who will be pushing these bikes to their limits.