A Race Unlike Any Other
Since 1907, the Isle of Man TT has been the ultimate test of man and machine — 37.73 miles of public roads, 219 corners, hedgerows inches from your handlebars, and bikes hitting over 200 mph. It is simultaneously the most revered and most controversial motorsport event on earth.
The Timeline
1907
The First Race
Charles Collier (Matchless) won the inaugural TT on the 15.85-mile St Johns Course. Of 25 starters, only 12 finished. Average winning speed: 38.21 mph. The race was designed to encourage manufacturers to improve road-going motorcycles.
1911
Mountain Course Opens
Racing moved to the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course — the same route used today. The course climbs to over 1,300 feet above sea level. Its 219 corners became the definitive test.
1957
First 100 mph Lap
Bob McIntyre became the first rider to lap at over 100 mph on a Gilera 4-cylinder — shattering the psychological barrier many thought impossible on public roads. It took 50 years from the first TT to get there.
1961–1967
The Hailwood Era
Mike Hailwood won 14 TTs over his career, including five consecutive Senior titles (1963–1967). He famously returned in 1978 after an 11-year absence — and won again on a Ducati, aged 38.
1977
TT Leaves the World Championship
Following a riders' boycott led by Giacomo Agostini and Barry Sheene over safety concerns, the TT was dropped from the FIM World Motorcycle Championship. It has never returned to the WC calendar.
1978–2000
The Joey Dunlop Era
Joey Dunlop won 26 TTs, becoming the race's greatest legend. Known simply as "The King," he also ran humanitarian aid convoys to war-torn Romania at his own expense. He was killed in a road race in Estonia in July 2000, aged 48.
2010
Hutchinson's Impossible Week
Ian Hutchinson won all five solo races in a single TT week — a record that has never been equalled before or since. He did it all on the same Padgetts Honda, in rain and sun alike.
2023
Hickman Shatters the Record
Peter Hickman set the outright lap record of 136.358 mph on a BMW M1000RR Superstock bike — completing the 37.73-mile lap in just 16 minutes and 36 seconds. An average of 136 mph across 219 corners on public roads.
2025–2026
Dunlop Becomes the Greatest
Michael Dunlop surpassed his uncle Joey's record of 26 wins, reaching 34 TT victories by June 2026. His nine consecutive Supersport wins (2016–2026) is one of the most dominant streaks in all of motorsport.
Fun Facts & Jaw-Droppers
37.73 miles, 219 corners
The Mountain Course is nearly 3× longer than the Nürburgring Nordschleife (12.9 miles) — the world's other most famous terrifying circuit.
206 mph on a public road
Bruce Anstey hit 206 mph on the Sulby straight during 2006 practice — on a public road that becomes a racetrack once a year.
You can drive it yourself
The entire TT course is a public road. You can drive or ride the Mountain Course any day of the year when the TT isn't on. Millions of tourists do every year.
5 wins in one week
Ian Hutchinson's 2010 clean sweep of all five solo TT races in a single week has never been equalled. He won on the same bike in every race.
265+ fatalities since 1907
More than 265 lives have been lost on the Mountain Course since 1907. Riders sign a waiver acknowledging the risk before competing.
Left the World Championship in 1977
The TT was part of the World Motorcycle Championship from 1949–1976. Removed after rider boycotts over safety — Agostini and Sheene led the charge.
16:36 for 37 miles
Hickman's record lap takes 16 minutes and 36 seconds. MotoGP riders lap their circuits in under 2 minutes. These are completely different disciplines.
The Dunlop family's price
Joey Dunlop (died 2000), his brother Robert (died NW200 2008), and Robert's son William (died Skerries 100 2018) all lost their lives racing motorcycles.