Practice Week for the TT

Practice week for the TT continued in the same vein weather wise that we had been enjoying. The system works with road closures from 5PM with race practice commencing each night at 6.20PM and continuing until 8.50PM weather permitting. Sunset is not until about 9.45PM so we are still home in daylight.

We moved to a different vantage point each night to take advantage of the different viewing lines and speeds - Crosby, Ballacraine, Braddan Bridge, Sulby Glen, Bray Hill. At Sulby Glen and Bray Hill the solo bikes are going past us at about 170 MPH and the outfits at about 145 MPH. It is an absolute buzz.
One of the beauties of the IOM TT races is the almost total involvement of the whole Island. Wherever you go and whoever you talk to the TT is to the fore. We get advice on a good viewing point from a Police Officer, get first hand knowledge passed on from an ex TT racer in a pub and you read race histories off the pub walls.

Well known Australians at the TT included Mark Webber fresh from his F1 win at the Monte Carlo GP and Eric Bana who managed a few days off from his busy filming schedule in London to take in some bike racing. We caught up with Eric at Bray Hill and he was blown away by the speeds on the road circuit even compared with the demonstration laps he had done at Philip Island circuit on pillion behind retired GP rider Randy Mamola on the Yamaha MotoGP bike.

 Outside of the racing we take in more of what the IOM has to offer by way of its history and scenery. It is a very scenic and interesting place to visit.