Sample articles online, and view the magazine's full contents list.

Editor's Welcome

6 WHO’S WHO (Sample online)
The in-depth Island Racer guide to all of this year’s TT gladiators, with featured big-ups on Guy Martin, John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, Steve Plater, Tim Reeves and Nick Crowe.

36 IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR
The ton-up TT was a glorious celebration of a century of motorcycling racing on the Isle of Man. It also delivered some electrifying action – not least ‘King’ John McGuinness smashing the 130mph outright lap record barrier.

50 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1908
Still in its infancy but growing fast, the second-ever TT produced the first victory for Britain’s last-surviving motorcycle brand as Jack Marshall’s Triumph took the laurels.

52 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1928
20 years in and despite the inter-regnum of World War One, the TT had become a major event attracting hordes of spectators and fierce competition between motorcycle manufacturers.

54 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1938
The Germans were coming but British heroes led by the somewhat unlikely figure of Harold Daniell were more than capable of eclipsing the Hun menace, as Norton ruled the roost.

58 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1948
Lifting the gloom of post-war austerity, the Mountain Course was again echoing to the thunder of hard-ridden machinery as a new generation of stars began to emerge.

62 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1958
A veritable showcase for the talents of the great John Surtees with a Junior-Senior double and MV Agusta’s whitewash almost right through the card completed by Ubbiali and Provini.

66 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1968
Honda has been and gone, and the Italians were back on top with a magnificent double from GP legend Giacomo Agostini for MV Agusta – while Bill Ivy and Phil Read were at each other’s throats in the smaller classes.

70 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1978
A poignant eyewitness account from ex-racer and TV commentator James Whitham kicks off this tribute to Mike Hailwood’s sensational TT comeback and his victory for Ducati.

76 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1988
Deprived of full works machinery by the demise of the factory-backed Honda Britain race effort, the great Joey Dunlop nevertheless scored a treble top of wins.

80 ALL THE EIGHTS – 1998
Probably the wettest TT on record failed to put a damper on Honda’s corporate 50th birthday party celebrations, and Jim Moodie did the honours by taking the brand’s 100th TT victory.

84 STINKWHEEL REVENGE
Reports of the final demise of the 125 Ultra-Lightweight and 250 Lightweight TT events have proved premature and the two-strokes are smoking again after a three-year absence.

90 BILLOWN COURSE GUIDE (Sample online)
The 4.25-mile Southern 100 Billown Course has become the sixth Isle of Man public roads circuit to be used for TT races – specifically the 125 Ultra-Lightweight and 250 Lightweight. Island Racer shows you the way round.

94 FOX TAILS AND TALL TALES
Bushy’s beer has been refuelling thirsty TT visitors for more than two decades on Douglas Prom and the huge marquee bar from which it is now dispensed has become a motorcycling Mecca during the festival. Island Racer enjoys a pint or three with Bushy’s founder Martin Brunnschweiler.

100 BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Exactly 100 years to the day after the first TT in 1907, the old St Johns Course was the scene of a stirring re-enactment with some of the original bikes and both riders and spectators adopting period dress.

106 THE ORANGE ARMY
Without the HiVis army of unpaid volunteer marshals, there would be no TT. But there have been a series of headline-grabbing incidents concerning marshalling in recent years and now the health-and-safety nannies are on our case. Island Racer looks at increasing pressures on the nitty-gritty of TT organization.

114 YOUR SPORT NEEDS YOU
If you love the TT and want to play a positive role in keeping it going for a second century, then the best way you can help is by volunteering and training for marshalling duties. Here’s how to do it.

116 RIDING ON AIR
Leading Italian protective motorcycle clothing manufacturer Dainese has brought its branding to the 2008 TT as ‘official safety partner’ and says that its involvement goes far beyond promotional activities.

120 TT 2008 – WHAT’S ON
Island Racer’s guide to the full race programme, peripheral events, activities and entertainment.

126 TT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Now presenting 100 years of TT winners, records and everything else you need to know to win bets and impress your mates.

143 THE 38TH MILESTONE
TT trivia including how much it cost to go racing in 1938, 1958 and now 2008, with the unique Island Racer house price comparison guide. Honest!

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