2018 Is just another year. Life is flashing by at lightning speed. Each year, we are also drawn to the spectacle that is the Isle of Man. This historic race goes back for over 100 years. Its appeal is rooted in the extreme nature of the event. A flat out race through the city streets on a loop around this scenic location.
In its infancy, the speeds obtained were mind blowing. All of 30 plus miles per hour. So, about like a pack of high school students today terrorizing the neighborhood on their Rucks scooters.
The current record for a lap at the Isle of Man is 134 MPH. Watching a video of these masters of motorcycle bravery and skill, it’s hard to fathom the speed and response time needed to stay on track. Somehow, they do.
This race however, because of its speeds and open course design make it the most dangerous race in the world.
By Comparison
Motorsports are entertaining. The roar of an engine, the strategy of the driver/rider, the roar of the engine. (worth saying twice) keep the youngest and oldest of us smiling.
In the good old United States, we have always loved our NASCAR. Top speeds well over 200 MPH range. Packs of drivers and paper thin margins of error. In this high speed Motorsport there has been a total of 28 deaths. No one has died for over a decade. Safety technology and protocols have continued to increase each year.
Formula 1 another globally popular , high speed Motorsport where highly specialized machines fly through circuits (including some city street courses) at well over 100 MPH) The risk in this sport is much higher than NASCAR, and the total death count is a bit higher. Currently sitting at over 50. This is cumulative over many , many events and years. The first one occurring in 1952. No doubt, safety measures and technology have increased exponentially .
On the ISLE OF MAN TT alone, there have been over 250 deaths. For a single series of events. Not an “all season long” thing.
Just beyond the edge speed and control are cool. That’s for sure, however when you look at the totals and risks, its hard to imagine that people & riders continue to flock to this event.
I would never turn down the opportunity to see this event live, however you have to wonder how much more it has to give (or has to take). How much is too much?
Each week we see a list of deaths in our newspapers related to out of control speed and young riders going beyond their abilities. What does a race like this teach ?
Have a thought on the TT and why it continues ? Share in the comments.