Snaefell mountain course

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The Snaefell Mountain Course, also called the Mountain Course, describes the road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races held annually in the Isle of Man. The circuit measures 37.73 miles (60.7 km) and takes in over 200 bends while climbing from sea level to an altitude of over 1,300 ft (396 m) below the summit of Snaefell. It is the oldest motor-cycle racing circuit still in use.

The most arduous part of the course, and the one after which the course is known, is the mountain section from Ramsey via Brandywell to Douglas. This section of the circuit is primary road A18.

All roads used for racing are public roads that are open to everyday traffic when racing or practice is not taking place. Being public roads straw bales are the only protection around things like telephone boxes, telegraph poles, bus stops etc. A public ordinance is made[1] closing the roads to ordinary traffic. During race and practice sessions spectators at many observation points around the circuit are locked into that location until the "Roads Open" car passes and a marshal indicated they can move. Normal life comes to a standstill with the road closures and thousands of enthusiasts crowding the small island.[2]

For a few hours on Mad Sunday, the Sunday before TT race week, the course is closed to cars and only motorcyclists can ride in the race direction around the course and there are no speed restrictions over the mountain from Ramsey to Douglas. A number of people have been injured and killed participating in the Mad Sunday ride.

[edit] History

The mountain circuit was first used for the 1911 TT; the first death took place during a practice session when Victor Surridge was killed. Until the early 1920s the roads were only closed to the public for the races but the death of Archie Birkin near Kirk Michael, after colliding with a horse and cart out doing their deliveries, during an early morning practice session, caused the roads to be closed for practice sessions too.[3]

After 1914 racing was suspended until 1920 due to the First World War. The mountain road was basically a cart track with gates across the road. The first rider in the morning to open the gates and the last one had to close them. Road conditions improved during the 1920s and so did lap speeds. In 1920 the lap record was 55.62 mph and by the 1939 TT this had risen to over 90 mph.

1923 saw the first sidecar race as well as the first of ten TT victories by Stanley Woods. Sidecar racing only lasted three years but was reintroduced in 1954. In 1931 Jimmy Simpson increased the lap speed to more than 80 mph and by 1937 Freddie Frith had broken 90 mph.[4]

Racing was again suspended for the duration of the war but resumed in 1947 with annual races today.

Over the years riders have raced between 2 and 10 laps of the 37.73 mile course on motorcycles ranging in engine capacity from 50 cc to 1,300 cc.

[edit] Speed records

The top speeds are attained on the one-mile Sulby Straight.

In 2006 New Zealander Bruce Anstey holds the current top speed record of 206 mph (331.51 km/h).[5]

The average lap speed record is held by John McGuinness who lapped the course at 129.451 mph (208.33 km/h) in 2006.

[edit] The Course

The current course takes the following route, starting and finishing in Douglas.

Start at: TT Grandstand

Bray Hill

Quarterbridge

Braddan Bridge

Union Mills

Glenlough

Glen Vine

Crosby Cross-roads

The Highlander

Greeba Castle

Greeba Bridge

Ballacraine

Ballaspur

Ballig Bridge

Laurel Bank

Black Dub

Glen Helen

Sarah's Cottage

Lambfell

Cronk-y-Voddy

Handley's Corner

Barregarrow

Westwood

Mitre Hotel

Kirk Michael

Whitehouse Park

Rhencullen

Bishopscourt

Alpine Cottage

Ballaugh Bridge

Ballacrye Bend

Wildlife Park

Quarry Bends

Sulby Cross Roads

Sulby Village

Sulby Bridge

Ginger Hall

Kerrowmoar

Glen Duff

Glen Tramman

Churchtown

Milntown

Parliament Square, Ramsey

May Hill

Whitegate

Ramsey Hairpin

Hillberry

Gooseneck

Joey's

Guthrie's Memorial

Mountain Mile

Mountain Box

Stonebreakers Hut

Verandah

Les Graham Memorial

Bungalow

Hailwood Height

Brandywell

Windy Corner

Keppel Gate

Kate's Cottage

Creg-ny-Baa

Gob-ny-Geay

Brandish Corner

Hillberry

Cronk-ny-Mona

Signpost Corner

Bedstead Corner

The Nook

Governor's Bridge

Finish at: TT Grandstand

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ http://www.gov.im/lib/news/transport/ttmotorcyclerace.xml 2006 TT MOTOR CYCLE RACES Roads Closed to the Public - Transport Public Notice (retrieved 9 August 2006)
  2. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3197207 BBC Guide to Isle of Man (retrieved 9 August 2006)
  3. ^ http://www.ttwebsite.com/history/ (retrieved 9 August 2006)
  4. ^ http://www.ttwebsite.com/history/ (retrieved 9 August 2006)
  5. ^ http://www.motorcycledaily.com/20june06_ttspeed.htm New Isle of Man Top Speed Record (retrieved 12 August 2006)

[edit] External links

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