Insane Motor Race

http://zanylol.com/insane_race.html ^

[navysealdad]

The Isle of Man TT was for many years the most prestigious motor-cycle race in the world. Between 1907 and 2009 there have been 237 deaths during official practices or races on the Snaefell Mountain Course.

[Chode]

May 28 to June 8

[Tainan]

I know a Scots Lad, who, while a good Lad is pretty much a drunken twit, whose singular claim to fame is that he has completed several laps on the Isle of Man TT.

Tough course indeed.

[goseminoles]

Cool video. I’ve done 130 on a bike over the Courtney Campbell from Clearwater to Tampa. My helmet lifted off my head.. that’s hauling ass..

[oldplayer]

Great race, really! I have wanted to see it since I first heard of it in the ‘60’s. All the great marques have raced there.

The Italian fours, the Norton singles, the Honda twins, threes, fours, fives and sixes!!, and Slippery Sam the BSA/Triumph 750 triple!

Maybe next year . . ..

Oldplayer

[Okieshooter]

As one who has great appreciation for the skills of mototorcyle roadracers, I have been in motorcycle roadracing at the national level as a sponsor and a tuner, I think that the Isle of Mann race should be changed an be put on a safe racetrack. The present course is dangerous beyond imagination.

But on the other hand I would like to be there once because of its history and tradition.

[Chode]

i wish you luck

[Chode]

i think history and tradition trump safety... without the risk, it's just another bike race

[Harold Shea]

Have seen (on tv) some of that Isle of Mann racing

Scary looking course

Guess you never had any interest in Pro Stock bikes

Went to Indy last yr for that GP race...good race

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

I’ve watched the TT on television a couple times. Competing in that is a special breed of crazy.

That and working a couple AMA events at Sears Point have cured me of any desire to ride a motorcycle.

[Okieshooter]

“Guess you never had any interest in Pro Stock bikes”

I was never involved directly in drag racing except bracket racing myself at the local races. However a close friend of mine was a Top Fuel bike builder for many years. If you have every seen the movie On Any Sunday, he was the guy holding the rear of a drag bike doing a burnout.

[MCF]

I use to do TT racing, Tavern to Tavern.

[MarkL]

TT racing is still wildly popular in Europe, though the major factory team riders are banned from it, simply because it’s too dangerous.

The Mountain course in the Isle of Mann is about 37 3/4 miles, with around 200 corners. The “race” is based on 3 timed laps where riders are sent out individually at set intervals, which is why you don’t see groups of riders racing against each other. The “track” isn’t wide enough for that in many places. There are curbs, fences, and stone walls that border the course.

I do have to say that my personal hero, the late Joey Dunlop (OBE, awarded for his charitable work) was probably the most successful TT rider ever (though I believe his record is being eclipsed by John McGiunness). Something really interesting to watch is a movie called “V-Four Victory” (it used to be on You Tube - it may still be there) where they strapped a camera on Joey’s bike, and he does a lap of the course. The movie features Joey’s commentary on the course, and in many cases I find myself wondering what language he’s speaking! Unfortunately he was killed in a TT race in Estonia, and there were 10s of thousands of mourners at his funeral in Northern Ireland, attended by Catholics and Protestants alike.

Mark

[eartrumpet]

Why do all the bikes wobble when the front wheel comes off the ground? I never noticed a dirt bike do that in their races.

[Okieshooter]

This is me standing behind my rider #208 Marvin West preparing to go out for practice for 1986 Daytona 200. Marvin's son, Cory who I also helped early in his career, is currently one of the top riders in the AMA Daytona Sportbike class.

[Harold Shea]

We`ve been to the Nationals and seen a TF bikes front wheel

not start turning till about the 1/8 mile...scary stuff

We`ve been trying to call an aunt in Norman to see if

shes ok.Still haven`t got through

Prayer for all ya`ll under tornado warnings today

[Venturer]

Is there any form of motor racing where no one has been killed.

You buys your ticket, you takes your chance’s.

Those who don’t wish to race can find a safe place to stand and watch.

Banning this race is like banning parachuting or bungy racing. You pick your special way to get your adrenalin rush and they pick theirs. Let it all hang out.

[Okieshooter]

“I use to do TT racing, Tavern to Tavern.”

Me also and fortunately I lived through it.

[Venturer]

Sport bikes have more power,more torque, are traveling at higher speeds , and have a different center of gravity than dirt bikes

[Okieshooter]

Maybe I look at it from a different prospective since I have had several close friends killed in motorcycle races. I enjoy the races because of the rider skill and see no need to have extra risks. There have been many new ideas to increase rider safety in the AMA in the last few years, most notably Airfence, and the Daytona Sportbike class is the most exciting racing anywhere.