The TT races have been held in the Isle of Man since 1907, and every June they attract great numbers of motorbikers and fans from around the world. The TT, or Tourist Trophy, race meeting is one of the most famous and prestigious events on the motorcycle calendar. TT week is not just about racing, however, but has become a motorbike festival, famous for its party atmosphere. Many local pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels put on a motorbike theme during TT week to welcome the visiting fans, and for one evening, the promenade in the Manx capital, Douglas, is closed to traffic and an enormous street party takes place.
The reason for the Isle of Man being the venue for such a famous motorcycle event goes back to the passing of the Manx Road Closing Act of 1904. This act was passed to allow car road racing trials to take place, but was amended in 1907 to include motorcycles. Motorcycle racing was becoming increasingly popular on the continent, and the Auto Cycle Club wanted to hold a major event in the British Isles. Laws in the United Kingdom did not allow roads to be closed, so the Isle of Man was chosen as the venue instead, and the TT races were the result.
In the 90 year history of the TT races there have been many changes. The motorbikes themselves have changed and developed enormously, and today's machines are capable of average speeds of 120 miles per hour around the 37.7 mile TT circuit. The prize money has also increased, and the winners of major races can now expect to receive around �13,000. The number of classes of races has also increased from the original two classes to around a dozen classes today. This all makes the TT races one of the most spectacular and popular events of the motorbike year, and two weeks of top-quality racing are promised at every TT race meeting.
"Bushy's", a pub in Douglas, has become synonymous with the TT
races. It has become the biker's favourite on the Isle of Man
due to its own beers, such as "Bushy's Piston Brew", its
biker-friendly attitude and its atmosphere. During TT week,
the section of road outside Bushy's becomes an arena,
in which events such as kart racing take place. An estimated
nine thousand people gather at Bushy's every night during the
TT festival, proving its unique popularity among motorbike fans.
For more information on the TT races, a range of publications are available, and due to the popularity of the TT, finding them outside the Isle of Man shouldn't be too difficult.
Alternatively, the Isle-of-Man.com TT pages are very good and provide a great deal of information.
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