Manx National Heritage Library

Public Information Sheet No. 15 July 2006

The TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle races have given the Isle of Man an international reputation as the ‘Road Racing Capital of the World’.

The Tourist Trophy from the 1914 Programme The origins of the races began with the need for a course on public roads to hold trials for the Gordon Bennett car racing trials. As legislation prohibited these being held in the UK, the Secretary of the Automobile Club of Great Britain, Julian Orde, persuaded his cousin the then Lieutenant Governor Lord Raglan, to secure legislation through Tynwald (the Manx Parliament), enabling the use of Manx public roads.

The first car trials were held in 1904 and the resultant publicity was a major boost to the Island. With further trials in 1905 and 1906 the stage was set for an expansion to include a competition for motorcycles.

The first motorcycle TT races were held in 1907 at St Johns with 27 competitors racing 10 bone-shaking laps of a 15 mile circuit on public roads.

In 1911 this short circuit was replaced by the Mountain Course which, at that time, turned right at Cronk ny Mona and came out at the top of Bray Hill.

A few years later the course changed again to follow the route which still forms the 373/4 mile circuit for today’s races.

His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Lord Raglan The races have been held ever since except during the two World Wars and in 2001 due to the risk of a foot and mouth epidemic in the Island’s animal livestock.

The TT races, then and now, are a test of endurance for both rider and machine and an opportunity for manufacturers to push to the limit the reliability and technological innovations of their latest motorcycle designs.

There are permanent TT displays at the Manx Museum with everything from one of Joey Dunlop’s motorcycles and Mike Hailwood’s race trophies to TT badges, stickers and beer mats.

This bibliography is intended as a selective guide to the material available to both motorcycle race enthusiasts and researchers into the history of this event.

UK Motorcycle Press Coverage of the Races

For many years there were two main weekly motorcycling journals which reported on the races. Back files of these are available at a number of libraries, archives and museums. Eventually these titles closed and coverage continues in Motor Cycle News.

The Motor Cycle

First published in March 1903 this weekly journal, popularly known as the ‘Blue un’, competed with its rival for coverage of the races for many years. After merger it continued until finally ceasing publication in October 1983. The Library has a partial set of extracts relating to the TT. Library Ref C498.

Motorcycling

First published in November 1909. Popularly known as the ‘Green un’, it eventually merged with ‘The Motor Cycle’ in August 1967. Again the Library has a partial set of extracts. Library Ref C498.

Motor Cycle News

Established in 1955 and still produced as a weekly newspaper style publication. The Library has a fairly complete set of TT issues. Library Ref C498.

Other journals usually published monthly have covered the meeting and continue to do so but these are too numerous to list here.

Specialist Newspaper Coverage

TT Special Newspaper

Published by Geoff Davison from 1927-1965 and then by the Hanks family to 1986, this title ranges from four up to almost daily issues during TT fortnight each year. It provides extensive reports on the races and practice sessions together with background detail.

The Library has a reasonably complete set, available for research purposes on microfilm.

The Library’s holding of TT material has been enriched by the kind action of Mrs Mary Swales, who gifted the TT collection of her late husband George Cuthbert Swales. Mr Swales had a great love of all things to do with the TT.

Official Programmes and Race Guides

The Library has an incomplete set of these from 1914 and 1920 to date. Formats have varied from the early long thin style (illustrated) to the present day ‘A4’ size. From 1977 they have been accompanied by a separate race guide booklet which lists all the entrants and allows for annotation of results.

Books

Arnold, Peter TT Races Diamond Jubilee 1907-1966 Shell-Mex & B.P. Ltd Although competitor’s records are now available on-line, this has a useful summary of all riders and their finishing positions in individual races. Library Ref C498/145
Beighton, Peter; Douglas, Andrew “Steve Hislop’s ‘You Couldn’t Do It Now!’ Douglas: Mannin Printing, 1993 ISBN 1-898363-00-5 Compiled largely from IOM press reports this provides a guide to the development of motor races on the Island up to 1920. Library Ref C498/81
Davison, Geoff TT Anecdotes (1966) The Story of the TT (1947) The TT Races behind the scenes (1949) TT Tales drawn from the TT Special (1950) All Birmingham: TT Special Geoff Davison edited and produced the famous TT Special newspaper for nearly 40 years until his death in 1966. These are just some of the numerous volumes he published and give a period view of the races. Library Ref C498
Duckworth, Mick TT 100: The Official authorised history of Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Racing Ramsey: Lily Publications, 2007 ISBN 1-899602-67-4 Library Ref C498/227q
Harris, Nick Motocourse History of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Races 1907-1989 Richmond: Hazleton Publishing, 1990 ISBN 0-905138-71-6 Useful appendix of the first 10 finishers in each race. Library Ref C498/75q
Higgins, L.R. & Quantrill, C. 50 years of T.T. History Shell-Mex and BP Ltd 1957 Library Ref C498/16 Useful statistics on riders and machines. A reissue from 1953, revised again in 1960. Library Ref C498/16
Holliday, Bob Racing Round the Island: A Manx Tale of Speed on Wheels Newton Abbot: David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7217-3 A summary history with course maps and photographs. Library Ref C498/26
Island Racer TT 2002-date Horncastle: Mortons Media Group Ltd. Published annually prior to TT fortnight. A guide with review of previous year. Library Ref C498/132
TT Results Books 1984-2000, 2002-2006 Issued annually by the Race Organisers, these consist of the press information sheets issued to the media with practice and race times for each meeting. Library Ref C498/73q
TT Special Year Books Vols. 1-8 Birmingham: TT Special 1985-1991 ISBN Vol. 4 0-900726-08-3 Vol. 5 0-900726-09-1 Vol. 6 0-900726-10-5 Vol. 7 0-900726-11-3 Vol. 8 0-900726-12-1 These provide statistics, articles and reports for the years 1984-1991 Library Ref C498/61
Wright, David Travelling Marshals at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and Manx Grand Prix Races. Laxey: Amulree Publications, 2006 ISBN 1-901508-06-4 Although not about the competitors, many of the marshals were ex riders and it does provide detail on behind the scenes events at the TT. Library Ref C498/126

Photographs

The Library has a small collection of photographs relating to the TT, many of which are copies commercially produced by firms such as Keigs. Due to copyright restrictions we are unable to supply copies of many of these and enquirers seeking race scenes and riders are advised to contact one of the commercial suppliers advertising in the motorcycle press and on the internet.

The following are three examples which featured in the 2007 exhibition ‘Staying the Course’ at the Manx Museum: Joey Dunlop all time winner of a record number of races, Giacomo Agostini multiple world champion who duelled with Mike Hailwood in the 1960s and a typical Norton of the 1930s.

Courses Used

Three courses have been used; the original course at St. John’s 1907-1910; the Mountain Course 1911-1914, 1920-1939, 1947-2000, 2002-2007; and the Clypse Course 1954-1959.

Web Links

Auto Cycle Union http://www.acu.org.uk/ Former organisers of the TT who issue rider licences to compete.
Duke Video http://www.dukevideo.com/ Suppliers of vhs/dvd coverage of TT fortnight.
Greenlight Television http://www.greenlight.tv.com
IOM TT Marshals Association http://www.iomttma.com/ No marshals equals no event; volunteers always welcome.
Manx Radio TT http://217.23.164.199/radiott/default.aspx Available during race fortnight
Mortons Media Group Ltd. Motorcycle archive. http://www.mortonsarchive.com/aboutus.htm
Motorcycle News http://www.motorcyclenews.com/ Includes preview and coverage of the meeting.
National Motor Museum http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/motormuseum/introduction.cfm Useful research library with copies of journals.
National Motorcycle Museum http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/ Former TT machines on display.
TT Database http://www.gov.im/mnh/collections/tt/search.xml Part of the MNH web site which enables searches for race, rider and machine information.
TT Official Web Site http://www.iomtt.com/ A large amount of information including: news, TT database, circuit guide, photo gallery, race and lap records and a concise history of the TT.
TT Supporters Club http://www.ttsupportersclub.com/
Vintage Motorcycle Club http://www.vmcc.net/ Useful resource for information on older TT bike manufacturers and machines.