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The 2011 TT:
The one hundred and fourth running of the Isle of Man TT
celebrated another major milestone in the history of the TT, 2011 marked the
Centenary of the Snaefell Mountain Circuit, (the earliest TT's were run on
the much shorter St. John's course without a mountain section in sympathy with
the machinery's capabilities of the era). Another celebrated milestone was the
50th anniversary of Yamaha's competition in Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing.
The 2011 TT also witnessed a significant reshuffle of some of the most successful riders of
the modern era swapping teams and marques, one of the more interesting
'swaps' was Guy Martin moving from Honda machinery to the 'Relentless by TAS'
Suzuki Team and that was balanced somewhat by the TT2011 TAS Suzuki pairing of
Cam Donald and Bruce Anstey moving from Suzuki to Honda Machinery.
My Isle of Man TT 2011 coverage includes the Pre TT Classic at
Castletown, the TT Fortnight, the Post TT Castletown races and the Jurby Sprint.
Please click on the heading or associated image to be taken to
the dedicated page covering the event.....
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THE PRE TT CLASSIC, CASTLETOWN:
This was my first opportunity to attend the Pre TT Classic
which is held on the Billown Circuit at Castletown, basically the 'circuit'
consists of four main straights and four rather tight corners, Castletown Corner
being particularly difficult due to the braking area which includes a hump in
the road.
The wide variety of machinery was of great interest and a
welcome variation to the seemingly endless array of UJM4's which contest the
TT solo and sidecar classes.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts #28: Tom Jackson and
#39: John Jones.
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THE SUPERBIKE RACE:
The Superbike Race offered the first opportunity to assess the
changes to rider and machine pairings for 2011, not surprisingly a certain John
McGuinness, (he stayed with Honda), displayed the form that has taken him to
many previous TT race wins.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts Superbike race winner John McGuinness holding
his sixteenth Isle of Man TT Trophy.
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THE SIDECAR RACES:
Klaus Klaffenbock and Dan Sayle were considered the team to
beat in 2011 after having taken the double at TT2010. The first race went
entirely to the script, conversely race two witnessed machinery trouble for the
fancied pairing on their Manx GAS Honda powered outfit.
My coverage includes a compilation of Races 1 & 2.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts Dan Sayle
and Klaus Klaffenbock with the first Sidecar Race winners trophy.
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THE ZEV/TT ZERO RACE:
The third running of the Zero Emissions Motorcycle Race
heralded a double entry by the winning Motoczysz Team of 2010.
Competition for the TT2011 Segway MotoCzysz Team appeared certain when Ian Hutchinson was
listed to ride the Mission Motors entry,
unfortunately Ian was a non starter due to a prior race injury.
I remain staggered at the quality, workmanship
and professionalism of the Segway MotoCzysz Team and I was delighted to meet Michael
and his father Terry Czysz this year.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts Michael Rutter with the TT
Zero winners trophy.
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THE SENIOR RACE:
The Senior TT promised a great deal following some very
competitive racing in the other solo classes throughout the TT race week, however John
McGuinness would not be denied.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts John McGuinness after
winning the Senior TT, John's seventeenth TT victory!
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PIT WALKS:
Once again the TT pit area was open to the public, I took the
opportunity to meet many of the TT stars, examine the latest machinery and take
particular note of how the rider changes and sponsor packages had influenced the
overall appearance and 'buzz' in the paddock.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts the John McGuinness -
TT Legends Honda CBR1000RR which I photographed 'inside' the TT Legends pit
enclosure.
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YAMAHA'S
50th CELEBRATIONS:
Yamaha celebrated their 50th year in World Championship Grand
Prix Motorcycle Racing with style at the TT, Ferry Brouwer brought his
magnificent collection of Yamaha GP Machines to the TT and many were ridden in
the Yamaha Parade Lap by GP riders including Giacomo Agostini, Rod Gould, Phil
Read and Steve Baker.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts the #32: Yamaha OW31
750cc machine ridden appropriately by 1977 Formula 750 Champion, Steve Baker.
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PARADE
LAPS:
The TT program included two Parade Laps,
the Milestones of the Mountain Parade Lap which commemorated the Centenary of
the Snaefell Mountain Circuit and the Arai Parade Lap.
Mick Doohan and Nicky Hayden were special guests for the Arai
Parade Lap.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts Ian Hutchinson,
incredibly Ian rode in both Parades, seemingly oblivious to his prior race
injury.
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ATMOSPHERE:
In my opinion the 'key word' to describe the TT, the whole
package exudes atmosphere, there is no motor racing event in the world that
compares.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts the Monster Energy
Girls.
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RAMSEY AND
JURBY SPRINTS:
The Ramsey Sprint and adjacent Concours included plenty of
wheelies to entertain the spectators and some excellent display machinery.
This was my first opportunity to attend the Jurby
Sprint, unfortunately the weather dampened proceedings, nevertheless there were
some interesting drag racing machines.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts a gorgeous Suzuki
Hayabusa turbocharged drag bike doing the obligatory 'burn out'.
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POST TT
RACES, BILLOWN:
The Post TT Races were again held on the Billown Circuit at
Castletown, I had never attended this meeting before and it appeared to be
limited to solo machines.
Michael and William Dunlop were very involved in the meeting
and attracted considerable attention in the pit area with their hands on
approach.
The 'clickable' image opposite depicts a couple of Kawasaki
machines.
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