OT: NYT article on Isle of Man TT

[fiamme red]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/07/sports/Isle-of-man-TT-motorcycle-race.html

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/06/06/sports/00TT-Ballaugh-new/00TT-Ballaugh-new-master1050.jpg

[Louis]

I saw that.

If I attempted to ride that on my little Ninja 300 (or any moto, really) at even half the speed those guys do it, I'd probably be dead within half a mile.

Not as insane as Alex Honnold's recent El Cap free solo, but somewhere in the neighborhood.

[kppolich]

3 riders have died so far this year. Something like 200+ dead in the 100 year history. Big balls on those guys, not sure if its worth it though. Sweaty palms just watching it!

[Llewellyn]

Balls of steel. And potentially certifiably bonkers.

[54ny77]

Isle of Man TT is THE most insane motorsport event on the planet. In my opinion. Which doesn't mean much. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it. :bike:

Watch it on a big screen with sound cranked, with a good image/broadcast (including a DVD from prior years). Truly a spectacle of nerves, strength, stamina, and balls of unobtanium.

[parris]

There's some good video's on YouTube where DR. John Hines speaks about the medical response as well as cases he's been involved in at IOM. He was a racer himself and unfortunately died in a racing accident.

[soulspinner]

The wobbling at incredible speeds, usually on one wheel. True insanity:eek:

[oldpotatoe]

Harvey Williams..BSA 125cc..smoking no less.

The race is just insane, always has been..hope it never ends.

[the bottle ride]

That article was so good- I cringed reading about the crashes and the dedication by multi-generation families
That is the definition of sport vs. games

[rePhil]

Guy Martin coming off after finding a box of neutrals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZXaUwYoog

[Ken Robb]

Harvey Williams..BSA 125cc..smoking no less.

The race is just insane, always has been..hope it never ends.
I had a Harley Hummer which was a 125cc very similar to this BSA. I think they were both based on a DKW because Britain confiscated the tooling as war reparations in 1945. I think mine might top 50mph on a good day. Since they only had 3 speed transmissions it would have been a real challenge to increase the power and still have a power band that would be useable with only 3 gears. Obviously this rider must have been doing more that 50mph to get both wheels off the ground. Maybe this was at the bottom of a steep hill. :-)

[54ny77]

WOW. Man was that lucky to walk away like he did. Just wow.

Love watching anything Guy Martin says or does. Can only understand about 1/3 of what he says because of that accent, but that 1/3 is always great. :beer:

Guy Martin coming off after finding a box of neutrals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZXaUwYoog

[fiamme red]

Great quote from Richard Quayle: "If Roger Federer misses a shot, he loses a point. If I miss an apex, I lose my life."

[martl]

WOW. Man was that lucky to walk away like he did. Just wow.

Love watching anything Guy Martin says or does. Can only understand about 1/3 of what he says because of that accent, but that 1/3 is always great. :beer:

+1 :) big fan here, although, being a non-native speaker, i would never claim to understand more than 1/10th :D The movie is great to watch, too.

https://youtu.be/ihH5uDUaqRE

[William]

POV at 200mph! :eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNXCJt7K3Q






William

[FriarQuade]

The TT is a race for those with large attachments as David Hobbs might say. Thing is, this is how a lot of races use to be not too long ago. The Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Spa, Monaco and countless smaller races were all done on public roads with minimal course prep. I guess when you've been to war motor racing doesn't seem that dangerous. I'm glad racing is safer but at the same time I love watching footage from the TT and vintage races.

[fiamme red]

Dangerous way to mow the lawn:

https://twitter.com/markkneeniom/status/873546259885424640

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DB91rfZWAAAr2Ni.jpg