ISLE OF MAN TT FESTIVAL 1997

Saturday 24 May - Friday 30 May 1997

Motorcycling fans and competitors once again flock to the Isle of Man from all over the world to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Motorcycle Races. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company are at full strength having re-introduced the SeaCat service the previous week as well as the passenger ferries Lady of Mann and King Orry and the freight vessel Belard. They announce a slight rise in the number of bikes shipped to the island - 11,500 which is 4% up on the last year. Manx Airlines also bring 18,926 passengers to the Isle of Man. Once on the island they flood into hotels, campsites and private homes with some even camping on grass verges at the roadside!

Sandbags and advertising banners appear around the 37.73 mile TT course. Unfortunately so do the "Prohibited Area" signs, limiting the vantage points for spectators. "Immer links fahren bitte" signs also appear beside the roads to remind German-speaking visitors to ride on the left.

Lyn Quirk becomes the first female paramedic biker in the British Isles as Honda loan the Manx ambulance service 3 motorbikes, 2 of which will be used permanently int he island if sufficient funds can be raised.

The police begin a campaign to weed out those riding stolen bikes and a specially trained dog helps to catch those bringing drugs into the island. Drink drivers are also heavily fined and often banned from driving.

Manx Radio's medium wave frequency once again becomes Radio TT providing music, chat and commentary in English, French and German. This year the station is sponsored by Bike Trader magazine.

Racing takes place at Billown in the south of the island. This is the pre-TT classic meeting and there are races on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

German visitors go crazy over kipper baps, kippers being a Manx delicacy. Isle of Man Creameries launch a range of waxed cheeses to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the TT. Manx brewers Heron and Brearley also launch a new ale called TT 90. Bikers congregate at Bushy's, a pub on Douglas promenade which also brews its own ale, to celebrate the final year of Bushy's on its present site. The building is likely to be demolished prior to next year's TT.

Attractions such as mini-motorbikes, race simulators and a Wall of Death appear on Douglas promenade. Owner Graham Cripsey and Vicky Bonnett thunder horizontally round the walls of the 200 seat Wall of Death theatre on motorbikes and a go-cart. Controversy erupts amongst the Manx residents as the Wall of Death is situated next to the war memorial.

A TT web site is provided on the Internet which will give practice and race details. Last year the site received half a million visits and this year an even quicker service is promised. The Ceefax teletext service also guarantees up-to-date coverage. A TT news telephone line is opened.

Irishman Robert Dunlop, brother of 21 times TT winner Joey Dunlop, is given the all-clear to race by TT medical staff following his accident at the TT 2 years previously. Robert had been denied his chance to race in 1996 but was happy to be able to compete on one of the world's most difficult motor racing courses once again.

Meanwhile, Robert's brother Joey almost misses the first practice session of the festival having put on his leathers, turned up the heater in his van and fallen asleep! All was forgiven when he explained that he had spent the previous night building a new engine for his bike. Dunlop had passed his road test just a few weeks before this year's TT!

The first fatality of the 1997 TT occurs in Monday night's practice. Colin Gable, of Ravenstone in Leicestershire, crashed at the Ballagarey section of the course and died instantly. Gable had finished third in the 1995 Junior race, his best TT finish. The practice sessions also see the exit of 2 top riders, Nick Jefferies and Ricky Mitchell, who both crash heavily and suffer injuries serious enough to keep them out of the remainder of TT '97. The top 81 qualifiers earn a place in the showpiece event of the TT, the Senior Race.

On Wednesday 2 men die in a 2 vehicle accident on the Snaefell Mountain Road. One was a local man who was driving a van to Ramsey and the other a German biker on his way towards Douglas. A 14 year old local girl dies on Thursday after an accident involving a motorcycle. On Friday a Scotsman is killed in a 4 bike pile-up. A number of other motorcyclists are involved in incidents around the island.

Police on foot patrol chase 2 totally naked men on a motorcycle who taunt them by riding along Douglas promenade just out of reach at running pace. They escape up a side street to the cheers of crowds outside Bushy's.

A plaque to commemorate 90 years of the TT races is unveiled by former champion Geoff Duke at the original start/finish line in St Johns.

The meteorological office reveals that it is the first completely dry practice week for 40 years. It is hoped that the good weather can continue into TT week.

Saturday 31 May 1997

At 1.30am a German biker, Otmar Burger, is caught doing a donut outside the Stakis Hotel in Douglas. The clouds of smoke coming from his bike's rear wheel tripped fire alarms in the hotel forcing guests to evacuate the building and the fire service to attend. When a police officer told Burger it was illegal to perform donuts he smelled drink and arrested him. Burger was fined £650 with £25 costs, banned from driving for 16 months and ordered to re-take his driving test.

On a glorious day in the Isle of Man. racing begins with the Formula 1 category. The 6 lap race is dominated by pit stops. TT king Joey Dunlop, having clocked his 200th racing lap of the island, spends a lot of time in the pits changing a wheel which ruins his chances of a top 3 finish. He eventually finishes 6th. Simon Beck, at one point running in 2nd position, runs out of fuel and has to paddle his machine from Governor's Bridge back to the Grandstand. The race is eventually won by Irishman Phil McCallen with Michael Rutter, son of former TT winner Tony, second and Bob Jackson third. It is McCallen's 9th TT win.

With Manxman and lap record holder Dave Molyneux away racing in Europe, expectations fall on Rob Fisher to win the sidecar races. Sidecar Race A has many leaders throughout its 3 lap duration but many drop out including Fisher. The race is eventually won by Roy Hanks and passenger Philip Biggs. It's a real family affair on the podium as Philip's uncle Vince and brother Graham finish in second with Roy Hanks' nephew Tom finishing third with passenger Steve Wilson. Many riders in both the day's races complain of tiredness due to the exceedingly hot conditions.

A Jordan Formula 1 car appears on Douglas promenade and kart racing takes place on the beach.

Sunday 1 June 1997

Known as "Mad Sunday", this is the day the bike fans have their chance to ride around the course. The mountain section of the course is made one-way. Residents around the course put out banners, flags and cuddly toys to welcome the bikers and the bikers sometimes wear fancy dress!

Events take place all around the island such as a motocross meeting at West Kimmeragh sand quarry, the Streetfighter challenge time slips over the 1/8th mile north promenade in Ramsey, owners club meetings and a display of classic bikes in Castletown.

Generous bikers take handicapped children out in their sidecars in the 12th annual Jumbo Run.

In the afternoon some bikers take a different route through St John's - straight through the Tynwald Inn! New licensee Dave Knighton revived what the pub regulars told him was an old Mad Sunday tradition.

Later in the afternoon the mountain section of the course is closed due to a fatal accident in which a male motorcyclist and his female pillion passenger are killed. The death toll for TT 1997 rises to 7 and calls for an island-wide speed limit start again. Currently there is no speed limit on the Isle of Man.

The SeaCat, having developed problems late in Practice Week, is temporarily taken out of service. The vessel had been running on only one engine, slowing it down almost to the speed of an ordinary ferry. The Lady of Mann takes over the scheduled SeaCat sailings.

The street party normally held on Douglas promenade in the evening is controversially abandoned despite its popularity. A rock concert is held in the Villa Marina gardens and a classic parade is held at the TT Grandstand instead. As usual all the action happens at Bushy's where fans pull wheelies, ride naked, "burn out" their tyres and make "donuts" (black circles made on the road with the burning rubber of rear bike tyres).

Monday 2 June 1997

The 250cc Lightweight TT takes place and is won by Joey Dunlop who wins his 22nd TT in 22 years of competing. His main rival Phil McCallen falls off his bike at Quarry Bends but is not seriously injured. Lap record holder Ian Lougher finishes in second place with John McGuinness, in only his 2nd year at the TT, finishing in third place.

Rob Fisher and passenger Rick Long live up to their promise in Sidecar Race B and make it to the top step of the podium. Tom Hanks and Steve Wilson finish second and win the overall sidecar title. Ian Bell and Neil Carpenter finish third. Wendy Davis becomes the first woman driver to compete in a sidecar TT. Having finished 42nd in Saturday's race, she finishes 40th in Race B. During the race a white flag is shown to allow a fire engine onto the course at the Quarterbridge to attend a reported gas leak on the trading estate at Union Mills.

A lap of honour follows the racing featuring classic bikes, former TT competitors and local personalities.

In the evening top Manx trials biker Steve Colley and the Purple Helmets display team perform at Foxdale football ground. The show will be repeated on Wednesday at Onchan Park with a special guest - former TT winner and island resident Steve Hislop. Motocross takes place at Knock Froy in Santon. TT stars Jim Moodie, Steve Hislop and Simon Beck, together with reigning British Superbike champion Niall McKenzie take part in a stock car race at Onchan Park.

Activities which will continue for the remainder of the festival begin at the Stakis Hotel and Summerland entertainment centre. These include live music, quizzes, TT videos and Miss Wet TT shirt competitions.

Tuesday 3 June 1997

A funfair appears beside the TT Grandstand boasting Europe's largest travelling big wheel. Locals and visitors flock to sample the variety of rides and stalls.

Ramsey Sprint, when bikes battle to be the fastest along Ramsey promenade, takes place. Radio TT also broadcasts from the event and informs listeners of everything happening in the northern town.

The Red Arrows aerobatic display team, regular visitors to the TT, perform over Ramsey in the afternoon and Douglas in the evening. A firework display takes place over Douglas Bay at 11pm.

Wednesday 4 June 1997

The day's racing is delayed by 2 hours due to heavy mist over the mountain. When racing eventually gets underway, Ian Simpson breaks race and lap records on his way to winning his first TT, the 4 lap 600cc Junior. Simpson finishes half a minute ahead of Phil McCallen with Michael Rutter third.

The 125cc Ultra-Lightweight TT is won by Ian Lougher is a class lap record time, becoming one of the few privateers to hold the 125 and 250 lap records at the same time. He narrowly beats Denis McCullough who had led for most of the 4 lap race. Robert Dunlop finishes third on his TT comeback. The Singles race, which is run concurrently with the 125, is won by Dave Morris with John Barton second and Steve Linsdell third.

Immediately after the day's scheduled racing a 1 lap practice for Friday's Senior Race is held.

Thursday 5 June 1997

A Honda rally takes place in Laxey. Radio TT also do an outside broadcast from the event which is attended by Honda owners and enthusiasts.

After a glorious 2 weeks, the rain comes down and fingers are crossed that the weather will be fine for racing tomorrow.

Friday 6 June 1997

The day is a Manx national holiday to honour the biggest race in the festival, the Senior Race. There is, however, one other race on Senior Race Day. The Production Race, delayed by 15 minutes and reduced to 2 laps instead of the scheduled 3 due to bad weather, is won by Phil McCallen who scores Honda's 90th win in the 90th anniversary of the TT. Ian Simpson finishes in second place with Simon Beck third. One competitor, Marc Flynn, hits a pigeon with his helmet and shoulder at Glen Helen and later has to ride over the mountain section minus his visor. McCallen also wins the 6 lap Senior Race, bringing his tally for TT '97 to 3 wins compared to his 4 in 1996. Scotsmen Jim Moodie and Ian Simpson are second and third respectively.

With racing over, some of the competitors stay to take part in the Steam Packet National Road Races on the Billown circuit on Saturday 7 June. The circuit is only 4.23 miles long, quite a contrast to the long TT course. Joey Dunlop aims for his 10th win in the 7 years of the races.

Competitor Dave Leach stays on the island to marry his fiance Becky Singleton on Saturday and then takes part in the Steam Packet Races later in the day.

The bike fans start leaving the island, pausing to buy souvenirs as they go! Some make sure they book their transport and accommodation for 1998 having experienced a wonderful TT in 1997.

MANXMANIAC June 1997

Home