I know, I know, it’s been too long – you’ve been biting your nails in anticipation. I see you, red faced and screaming “but how will we know who’s racing if Cadbury doesn’t give us this second part soon?!?”… Calm down folks, we’re here. And, in case you missed it, get caught up on Part 1 here before reading any further.
With less than two weeks until the start of the 2019 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, it’s time for the second installment in our SoBros introduction to this legendary racing event, and a further look into the magic surrounding these two weeks of road racing heaven.
As an event alone, the Isle of Man TT is a whole hog of an attraction. Bringing a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment, its excitement is definitely not confined to the action on the track, though inevitably the occasion it is unashamedly moto-centric.
Local cuisine consists of seafood dishes such as Priddhas an’ Herrin’; boiled potatoes and herring, to you and I. Being an island community, the sea provides a swathe of goodies to eat but local farms also produce high quality pork, beef and lamb to be sampled. Common foods such as cheesy chips and gravy (French fries topped with shredded cheese and coated in brown gravy) are a pre-hangover food intended to send you off to a peaceful slumber, which is actually more likely to be unrestful night during which you fight the urge to piss your bed after gallons of local beer.
Speaking of beer, there are a number of local breweries to try whilst at the event, producing high quality ales, stouts, and lagers with long histories to be explored whilst supping the nectar of their efforts. Okells has a big reputation, as does the Hooded Ram Brewing Company.
A variety of restaurants and pubs fill the island and the Isle’s year round static attractions surge with people during the TT, with lines out the door to sample local and regional delicacies. The Creg-ny-Baa is a world famous gastro-pub, sitting at the end of a long, fast section of the TT circuit and serving up a feast of favorites, and becoming an attraction unto itself during the TT. Combining racing with ale and food, it’s a hot spot for the avid viewer and the passionate consumer.
The Raven Hotel sits on the circuit too, and boasts a live TV link from Ballaugh Bridge so you can watch the racing action from inside. No matter whether you are indoors or out, the action is never far away on the Isle of Man.
As a place of note, Conrod’s is a coffee shop owned by famed Isle of Man native and all round lovable TT racer Conor Cummins, in the town of Ramsey. By all accounts, it is of one the best places to get coffee on the island.
These are to name but a few local places, but the island is awash with food vendors and pubs to satisfy your every craving. That is unless you’re craving alternative entertainment, which is present in droves. There’s fun fairs with carney rides at Douglas Promenade, animal attractions, comedy shows and late night parties.
You can even take a lap of the TT circuit in a coach if you like, commentated on by the excitable Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, a former TT race winner and lucky survivor of the island’s unforgiving TT course. To top it off, world famous DJ Carl Cox will close the event out with an Ibiza-esque show.
The two weeks of the TT are filled with fun for all outside of racing, but this is what we are here for, this is why we came. The motorcycle racing is the raison-d ‘être, so let’s introduce some of the riders for 2019, including some honorable mentions.
You can’t talk about the Isle of Man TT without starting with the Dunlop family. Michael Dunlop steps up to the plate to represent this tremendous family name in 2019, returning to try to add to his current total of 18 TT race wins and riding a Tyco BMW.
Michael’s father, Robert Dunlop, his brother, William Dunlop and his uncle, Joey Dunlop, are all members of the TT racing fraternity who are sadly no longer with us. The road racing history books are steeped in the all-encompassing, all-consuming passion of the Dunlop family and Michael has battled through his own personal tragedies to once again present himself for his family and fans, and will undoubtedly be at the sharp end this year.
Fans and racers alike will stand again to support and respect this man and his tremendous racing heritage. Joey won 26 TT races in his career, making him the leader in all-out race wins since the event began in 1907.
Second to Joey in total wins, and returning in 2019 for a new team after a dramatic and near-career-ending injury last year, 23 times TT winner John McGuiness (lovingly known as McPint) holds the hearts and hopes of all TT fans. Now riding for Norton (British rider on a British bike is the stuff of dreams) John will once again take to the start line looking to do what he does best and produce a set of performances which belies his 47 year old age, and take the chequered flag. Such a comeback would warrant a movie (Fellow SoBro SirBrandon might be able to get on that).
Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison will reignite their fierce rivalry from last year which produced such drama late in the Senior race. Chirpy Yorkshireman Dean Harrison was a dominant force in road racing during 2018 and performed incredibly to take several deserved race wins. However, a monumental and record breaking last lap in the Senior by Hickman took the win from Dean. Peter holds the outright lap record (video of which we shared in the last article) and will be the man to beat at this year’s event.
Formerly mentioned Manxman, Conor Cummins, will be flying high and looking to represent the Isle of Man well. Conor famously had a dramatic off in 2010 which has been shared the world over. Given he’s chasing his first TT win, expect fireworks from this man as he looks to become the first Manxman on the top step since 2002 when Milky took his win. Let’s hope he doesn’t drink too much of his own brand coffee before taking to the circuit. No poop breaks are allowed in this game.
Ian Hutchinson will be looking to take back a solid hold of his road racing career after recovering fully from his 2017 TT crash which almost cost him his leg – for the second time. With a left leg like a Crunchy Cheeto, Ian uses a specially modified shifter and clutch setup to enable him to ride. But don’t let that fool you – this man is the only racer to ever win the five main TT races in one year. Ian will fight tooth and nail to hit the top step.
Also competing is long time consistent racer James Hillier, who sticks with his Bournemouth Kawasaki team again this year. Such consistency has led to good form for James in recent years, and this fan favorite is more than capable of mixing it with the front runners at the upcoming event. Hillier seems to turn up, fly under the radar, then impress ridiculously, before floating away like some sort of ethereal spirit of road racing. Keep an eye out for him and his wicked looking machine.
Michael Rutter is once again bringing his stunning Bathams BMW to the TT and will surely be looking to add to his already incredible set of six race wins, and build on his 2018 lightweight podium and TT Zero race win. Rutter is a personal favorite of the SoBros, so is surely one to watch, and ladies – he’s a bit of a looker, too.
Charming and straight talking Lincolnshireman Gary Johnson will be on the pipe too, a consistent and lion-hearted racer, Gary never ceases to entertain on and off the track. I can only hope he gets the results he deserves this year.
In the sidecars, it’s hard to look past Tom and Ben Birchall as they look to repeat their ridiculously dominant 2018 results, which followed equally ridiculous and dominant 2017 results. Dave Molyneux has a new bike and passenger Harry Payne. This will be an exciting duo to follow, as rider Dave looks to add to his 17 win tally (3rd in the total win all time leaderboard).
There are various relative newcomers to observe also:
Cheeky and roguish, Dom ‘The Bomb’ Herbertson will look sharp this year as he competes in all categories. Especially poignant will be his turn out on the James Cowton Racing machine in the lightweight class, representing the Cowton family who return to TT racing a year after an accident at the Southern 100 which claimed the life of the young and hellishly fast James. Dom will be racing with a heart full of pride for his good friend, and combined with his exuberant Geordie attitude, he’ll surely be one to beat. We’ll try and snap a picture of the SoBros Network name in Dom’s awning, since we joined his fan club and are supporting his racing efforts this season!
Paul Jordan will look to add to an already impressive record in road racing as he steps up to the Dafabet racing team for the Senior. Paul is one we’ve watched closely here at SoBros and we wish him all our support. We’re even members of his fan club. He’s an extremely controlled and stylish racer who is coming off a set of great results in 2018. This year will be one to note down in his career, we’re sure.
Davey Todd is the second fastest rookie ever at the TT, with the North Yorkshireman posting an average speed in excess of 128mph in 2018. The recipient of the RST Newcomer of the Year award last year, he’ll be looking to cement his name in the history books by taking a win so early in his career.
As a notable mention, Ivan Lintin will not compete but deserves to have his name recognized by race fans in the US. Ivan is a volunteer firefighter in Lincolnshire, England and a seasoned road racer who suffered a horrendous accident at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man, late last season. His road to recovery has been long and arduous, and we at SoBros offer our most heartfelt support to Ivan in his continued improvement. If you’re on the Isle of Man, Ivan, expect us to buy you a drink or five.
Another honorable mention, and SoBros supported road racer (yes, SoBros are actually on his bike!) is Manx GP racer Ray Maloney. Ray started racing at a spritely 42 years old in 2015 after tragically losing both his girlfriend Karen in 2005 and his wife Suzanne in 2012.
Against the advice of officials, Ray began chasing his dream of racing the TT. He’s not had an invite yet, but has a 2019 entrance to the Manx GP road race. Ray looks to race the TT in the very near future and will use his performances in 2018 and 2019 to bolster his chances of an invite. We wish Ray every ounce of luck we can send.
This is real road racing. The experiences, the sights, the smells, the tastes and overall, the memories. It’s the family, the friends, the passion, the adrenaline. It’s all that and has been throughout its 112-year history. It’s tangible and it’s powerful.
The TT, Ladies and Gentlemen. Catch you on the flip side.
Cadbury Pringlebatch is the Lead Motorcycle Expert, Investment Analyst, and Travel Blogger for The SoBros Network, but knows a little bit about everything. Known for frequenting Nashville YMCA steam rooms, he’s a firm believer that winning football is produced by moving the chains, and became a SoBro after mistaking one of our podcasts for an AA meeting. Follow on Twitter: @SoBroCadbury
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