“A Lap of the Island”
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“A Lap of the Island” By Dave Greenwood The Isle of Man TT Course in 1978 © David G Greenwood 1978‐2013 Contents Riders’ Comments 2 Foreword by Roy Bacon 3 Dedication 4 About the Author 5 Introduction 6 IOMTT Course 7 My Favourite Quotation 143 Footnote 143 The author pictured beside the memorial plaques for Joey Dunlop & Mike Hailwood. 1 Dedication To my wife, Beryl, for her unfailing patience and understanding in remaining married to me for 51 weeks of the year; the other week being spent as an Isle of Man recluse during TT week each June. 4 About the Author Dave Greenwood has been a lifelong supporter of the Isle of Man TT Races and the Manx Grand Prix. In total, he has made 62 trips to the Island. An aircraft engineer by trade, Dave acted as mechanic & refueller for several TT riders. He was a marshal for 21 years, usually at Greeba, where he dealt with numerous incidents. He has restored several vintage British motorcycles and won many awards with his Velocette and Nortons. In 1978, he was accompanied by his friend Dave Whitham and Dave’s young son, Jamie. Inspired by the TT win of the legendary Mike Hailwood, Jamie went on to become a successful professional motorcycle racer. The author pictured in June 1979, with his son, Paul. In the background, TT riders Bob Orton and Brian Kaye relax between races. 5 Introduction The Isle of Man TT course is unique. It comprises 37¾ miles of public roads that are closed for a few hours for practising and racing. The course cuts its way through country villages and over the mountain. There are hairpin bends and hump back bridges. Roadside hazards include stone walls, telegraph poles, phone boxes and trees. The micro‐climate of the Island means that the TT course is often shrouded in mist on the mountain while the sun blazes over Douglas. It is the ultimate challenge for motorcycle road racers. In 1978, Dave Greenwood decided to photograph every significant feature of the IOMTT course. These photographs, along with postcards, stickers and souvenirs were compiled into a book – “A Lap of the Island”. The one and only copy of this book returned to the Isle of Man each year for the TT races and it was enhanced with riders’ comments and autographs, as well as additional photographs. In 2013, the book was digitalised and published on the internet for TT fans everywhere to enjoy. 6 The IOMTT Course The Grandstand Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, where all present day TT Races start and finish. The Time‐keepers’ Box and the Scoreboard are situated opposite the Grandstand. The progress of every rider is charted on the Scoreboard, this being achieved by the passing of messages from the Time‐keepers to local Boy Scouts, who manipulate the massive Scoreboard from behind. Behind the Grandstand lies Noble’s Park, where the Paddock is sited. The park was bequeathed, along with Noble’s Hospital and the Villa Marina, to the people of Douglas by Henry Bloom Noble who, after staring work in a timber yard, left a fortune. Enthusiasts enjoying a ride around the TT Course between races 7 The Isle of Man TT Course A view of the Grandstand and Pits, showing the ancient refuelling cans which were installed in 1920 and are still in use in 1978. 8 Riders start in pairs at 10 seconds intervals, thus a normal race field of 86 riders takes some seven minutes before the last rider is flagged away. At the moment when the last rider pushes off, the leaders are normally between Glen Helen (10 miles) and Kirk Michael (14 miles). Following the tragic fatal accidents to Mac Hobson, Kenny Birch & Ernst Trachsel on Bray Hill in 1978, sidecars now set off individually at 5 seconds intervals and hence the last rider sets off 7 minutes after the first outfit starts. 9 GiacomoAgostini (Italy) gets the big MV‐4 away in the 1968 Senior TT, which he won at a race average speed of 104.75 mph. Down goes the flag… push start… and another Tourist Trophy Race is underway. 10 Accelerating away to St. Ninian’s crossroads and past Parkfield Corner, where the old Clypse Course turned right. A tribute to the great Stanley Woods. 11 The old wooden Grandstand was replaced in 1986 with a new design – an improvement prompted by the Bradford City Football Club fire disaster. The Grandstand overlooks the start & finish line and it is the main commentary point for Manx Radio. 12 Bray Hill The frightening plunge down Bray Hill – one of the fastest sections of the course. ½ Mile Distance The famous photograph of GiacomoAgostini popping a wheelie on the 500cc MV at the bottom of Bray Hill in the 1968 Senior TT. This spot was originally called Brown’s Hill but, in later years,came to be known as “Ago’s Leap”. 13 Quarter Bridge The Walter Handley memorial bench on the approach to Quarter Bridge 14 The approach to the first bend, the right hander at Quarter Bridge. One Mile Distance My friend Pete Bates rounds Quarter Bridge during practice for the 1975 Production TT Race 15 The busy Quarter Bridge Hotel at the point where the TT course crosses the River Glass. A handy viewing spot for those without their own transport but is does get congested on race days. It is not uncommon to see the occasional rider drop his machine here, especially on the first lap or after a refuelling stop due to the top‐heaviness caused by a full fuel tank. Even the impeccable Geoff Duke dropped his Gilera here on the fourth lap of the 1953 Senior TT. The leading rider of this threesome in the 1965 Lightweight 125cc TT is Brian Kiddie 16 Braddan Bridge The sweeping left‐right S‐bend is a popular venue for spectators. Sidecars are particularly dramatic through Braddan. 17 Kirk Braddan Kirk Braddan or Braddan Church ‐ the name Braddan being derived from an Irish saint. Access may be gained from Douglas via Saddle Road during racing. Although the clergy charge a small fee to view from their Churchyard, the benefits of excellent tea and cakes plus a toilet, outweigh this somewhat. 2 Miles Distance 18 Snugborough Entering the left‐hand bend that is situated halfway between Braddan and Union Mills. On the right is a Quarry Works but parking there is restricted. Union Mills The approach to Union Mills used to a very narrow, tight bend but the road was widened in 1976. An example of adding M.P.H. to the TT course. 19 Entering Union Mills, there is a difficult, downhill, right‐hand bend. It can be treacherous in the wet. Due to the afore‐mentioned road widening at Snugborough, riders approach this bend at much faster speeds than pre‐1976 days. 20 Bill Barker on his Yamaha at Union Mills Glancing back at the Railway Inn, where Castletown ‘Real Ales’ are popular on race days. 21 The evolution of Union Mills. 22 Union Mills Methodist Church is on the right just before the Post Office. You may view free of charge from the church garden but a small levy of 10p is charged for the hire of a chair from the chapel. Again excellent tea and cakes are on sale. Union Mills Post Office – the odd rider has been known to call in, but there are no collections on race days. 23 The village street at Union Mills ‐ the name was acquired from the water‐powered tweed cloth mill that was once situated here. The petrol station and the arch of trees as you exit Union Mills (photo 1980 – 36p per litre). 3 Miles Distance 24 Union Mills village church is easy to miss unless you glance back over your right shoulder as you leave the village. 25 Elm Bank Elm Bank – the area on your right‐hand side is known locally as Ballahutchin. Glenlough Glenlough dairy farm and campsite are on the left before the descent into Glen Vine. It’s a very good campsite but you won’t need an alarm clock in your tent when early morning practice starts at 5 am. 26 Ballagarey Corner Ballagarey Corner – a right‐hand bend on the entry to Glen Vine village. 4 Miles Distance Glen Vine Glen Vine village church – not a popular viewing spot as the bikes shoot past at high speed. 27 The descent into Glen Vine ‐ there is a nice garden centre part way down the hill on the left, if it’s plants that you like. Glen Vine Motor Museum is small but it would pass an odd hour on a wet day. Four star petrol at £1.38 per gallon. What price in future years? 28 Crosby Entering Crosby village – ‘Crosby’ is from the Scandinavian, meaning ‘Village with a Cross’. This part of the Island is known as ‘The Plains of Heaven’ or ‘The Valley between the Two Mountain Masses’. Looking back at the Little Castle in Crosby and, in the distance, the village chapel. 29 The Crosby Hotel serves O’Kells Ales all day. This is Mike Hailwood’s favourite pub as, on the rare occasions when he retired, it was nearly always there. Note the sign ‘DO IT AGAIN, MIKE’. 5 Miles Distance 30 Half Way House Another O’Kells Ales house ‐ ‘Half Way House Hotel’ in 1978. A year later it was given a facelift and renamed ‘Waggon &Horses’ . Half way between Douglas and Peel (or Peel and Douglas!). 31 Brian Reid wheelies over the rise at the Half Way House.