E Y E W I T N E S S
I S L E O F M A N
“
I was 13 when I saw my first Tourist Trophy [TT]
Race in 1960. We’d just moved to the Isle of Man
and I persuaded my parents to take me. We sat in a
place called Glen Helen, and, as the third rider came
through he fell off. It was Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood
–
my childhood idol. I remember looking down at him
on the floor thinking, ‘My hero shouldn’t be doing
that’. He was fine though. It’s what makes the races
exciting. You never know what’s going to happen.
“
The island has changed considerably over the
years. Naturally, as the number of people coming
over for the event grew, so did the number of hotels,
restaurants and pubs. Some guesthouses make
enough money during the race weeks to tide them
over for the year. The Manx people always say, ‘For
two weeks we lose our pubs, our restaurants and our
girlfriends.’ Still, it’s a small price to pay. Everyone
knows the benefits the TT brings to the island.
“
All talk usually turns to bikes around February,
when the riders are announced and the excitement
really sets in about a month before, when barriers go
up for the 60.7km circuit. It’s the island’s biggest
event: a two-week festival of motorcycling, with
bands and parties. Everyone – whether they’re locals
or tourists – really comes together. I can’t wait.
”
25
May to 7 June; iomtt.com
Isle of TT
Every May, 40,000 people arrive on the Isle of Man for a fortnight of
racing. But what’s it like? Island resident Bill Snelling reveals the appeal
AS TOLD TO
VICKY LANE
PHOTO
GETTY
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