The TT might no longer possess the global significance that it had when Soichiro Honda vowed that winning it was his company’s most important objective, but as a prime piece of motorcycle entertainment it has few equals.
Earlier this year the world’s biggest-selling bike publication voted the TT as their Number One event for 2006 - putting it ahead of every grand prix, every Superbike meeting, the Dakar Rally, the Bol d’Or -- indeed every other two-wheeled happening anywhere on the planet. I happened to be present a couple of years ago when two of that publication’s senior journalists visited the races.
We shared a couple of beers in the Empress Hotel, and it was like talking to a pair of spellbound schoolkids. One hadn’t witnessed the event for some years and the other was experiencing his first visit to the Island. Both were completely blown away by everything around them - the racing, the scene on Douglas Prom, the sideshows, and above all the heady atmosphere generated by the Island’s inimitable mix of wall-to-wall motorcycling.
If that’s the case, you might wonder why MCN hasn’t since devoted more coverage to the TT festival. There are commercial reasons for that, and perhaps certain prejudices, too. But the enthusiasm of the two journos was as genuine as it was transparent. The Number One world event’ tag clearly supports the same view. It seems to be their attitude that, whether or not TT racing is at the top of the world tree, then the TT Festival most certainly is. That’s certainly the view of we at Island Racer. There are encouraging signs that it’s also the view of the Manx authorities, which might seem a strange statement to make.
For year’s they’ve gone through the motions of saying what a wonderful event they had, without necessarily having much conviction in their assertion. In fact sometimes they appeared almost apologetic. And if they didn’t truly believe in it, then why should anyone else? But recently - perhaps focussed by the imminence of that 100th birthday - a new sense of assurance has emerged.
The TT, they’ve realised, might have its problems but it’s special..valuable..unique..like no other. This being the 21st Century, it’s inescapable that some of that confidence will be accompanied by the sounds of cash registers ringing, but if the event is in future promoted with this new ebullience, then it can look forward to healthier times. Welcome to the last TT of the first Century.
Enjoy the official Number One event on Earth.
