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Event review - Isle of Man TT 2024
Our biggest TT ever! 82 package guests over the 9+ nights of the awesome TT! Between sketchy weather and bad drivers, no day was unaffected which kept us on our toes, but we kept the action going to ensure all had a whale of a TT!Some of our guests arrived a couple of days early and Wednesday evening we managed to get down to famous Bray Hill to watch some of the practice sessions whizz by at 180mph...
Thursday was packing day as we got ready for the invasion Friday... Lots of work, but satisfying as we matched ticket and shirts to the welcome bags for the clients.
Friday night we held our opening dinner at Sir Norman's at the Sefton Hotel. All was delayed as an evening session was scheduled, replacing an earlier practice session which had been canceled owing to a tourist crash on the mountain section. But this was merely a delay - later that evening we were joined by our sponsored rider Michal "Indi" Dokoupil from Czech Republic. We will follow him closely all week, as will a film crew making a documentary of the TT.
The first race day Saturday dawned beautiful as we made our way to the famous Sulby straight. On the coach on the way up via the beautiful coast road, we remarked that only two things delayed a TT: weather and idiots. The first weekend seemed to favour the latter, and the weather impacted the second half!
Our host for the day was the legendary Steve Parrish, former teammate of Barry Sheene and multiple race winner and champion. Fortunately for us we had an open bar and hospitality tent, as all sessions were delayed over 3 hours as someone managed to total a McLaren on the mountain section shortly before road closure....
But to finally see the sidecars and solo bikes in action was breathtaking, as the fastest machines teleported past us at nearly 200 mph! Michael Dunlop set TT history by equalling his uncle Joey's all time race wins of 26, by winning the supersport race. Sidecar racing was also in for a twist as the juggernaut team of Ben & Tom Birchall had lost the services of passenger Tom; ably replaced by Kevin Rousseau, however a crash had injured him and they were not able to compete in the race. The new stars of sidecar was another set of brothers, Ryan & Callum Crowe who took the top step.
Thanks to our hosts at the lovely Sulby Glen Hotel who kept the bar open until late!
Sunday we headed to the iconic Creg-ny-ba pub for the best viewing on the TT circuit! More delays to the racing but finally we saw the Superbikes in action from our superb vantage points of an open top bus and a special grandstand - not to mention up close from the hedgerows! Peter Hickman took top honours after a pit lane glitch affected Michael Dunlop costing him a podium spot. The delay was almost welcome by our Italian group as we were able to watch the Italian MotoGP race in Mugello! Two Italians on factory Ducati on the top steps, as two BMWs took the top spots in the TT!
Sunday evening was the closing of our 3 day tour, and sadly we said goodbye to many of our guests, although at least over a pint or two! We also said 'ciao' to our Italian guests at one of the top restaurants on the island - the Italian Enzo's. And lo! They didn't know the Bee Gees were from the Isle of Man!
Monday is the big change over day -- where our 3-day clients check out and our 6-day clients check in. Our happy 9-nighters plus some of the others join us on my annual personal tour of the Isle of Man. We start at our traditional visit to the Steve Hislop memorial overlooking Douglas bay. A Scottish superstar whose life was tragically cut short, not on a bike but a helicopter.
A visit to the famous Laxey Wheel, a stop at the world's only outdoor parliament - the Tynwald, and a visit to beautiful Peel is the morning agenda. It is the annual Peel Day, with tons of bikes, classic bikes and much more going on. Lunch at the superb Creek Inn and then a trip to the south to the fabulous Murray's Motorcycle Museum. Peter Murray, the proprietor and owner of this mind-boggling collection is himself a walking google of motorcycle lore; even in his eighties!
Monday night we have our Riders' Dinner where we feature our supported riders of the week an hosted by the TT legend Phil McCallen. Phil is in fine form keeping us amused and hitting the riders with the hard questions. We are proud to support James Hillier - one of the top riders and frequent visitor to the podium in near factory-spec team on the Honda CBR1000RR. At the 'other end' of the paddock, in a total privateer team, we feature Michal "Indi" Dokoupil from Czech Republic. He rides in all solo classes, but on three different brands! Kawasaki in the superbike, Yamaha in Supersport and Aprilia in Supertwin!
Loads of great food & drink make it a wonderful evening.
Tuesday starts rainy, and while we delay the coach departure, the conditions do not improve. So rather than sit all morning in the hospitality of the Ginger Hall, we divert the coach to the stunning Isle of Man Motor Museum. The place is enormous with cars and bikes almost unseen elsewhere. A very welcome diversion. We make it to the Ginger Hall for lunch, and a superb talk from our host Glen Irwin -- BSB leader, and fastest ever newcomer on the TT in 2022. Loads of beer in this super historic pub; but sadly no bikes.
We finally abandon the Hall and head back to the paddock in the hopes of catching the early evening practice sessions and race, walking down to Bray Hill; only to find the race canceled as we reached our destination... Managed to see a few bikes on warmup and the tail end of a stunt show...
Wednesday was looking better and we made our way to the grandstand; with some guests joining our supported sidecar team of Ben Birchall & Kevin Rousseau; hosted by sidecar multiple world champion Klaus Klaffenbock. We get a private tour of the paddock and an 'open the kimono' tour of the Birchal bike in the goriest detail (which we can show in photos). Great hospitality with beer on tap, we end the day with a meeting of superfan "Wheelie" Konni from Germany in his 36th TT -- and the same leathers!
Despite threatening skies, the SuperTwin race manages to take place. Michael Dunlop wins to set the all-time record number of victories at 27. Indi took a bronze replica in 19th position, and our formerly-supported woman rider Veronika Hankocyova finishes her first ever TT race!
Wednesday night we had a group dinner in the sublime Banzai Aisan restaurant. Yum.
Much of the racing we had missed got pushed off to Thursday - normally a rest day where we take a track tour. As soon as we learned this, we contacted our friends at the Creg-ny-ba and negotiated a superb price for the use of their terrace and balcony with the best view on the TT course! Superb food and cash bar, this was the perfect place to watch the Superstock and Sidecar races. Davey Todd sensationally took his first win here, and in sidecars the Crowe brothers continued their domination of the week with a second victory. Ben Birchall happily managed a podium 2nd, despite Kevin riding wounded!
In the evening we did our traditional Thursday raid on Paparrazzi -- the iconic italian & pizza restaurant on the promenade.
Friday's weather did not improve so we quickly rearranged our day and had the guided track tour we were meant to have on Thursday. Fortunately our man Indy was able to jump on board the bus at short notice and give us his thrilling insights to every corner of the circuit. His presentation managed to be both scary and funny at the same time, great job!
We finished our shortened day in the paddock first as special guests of Indy and then visited several other of our friendly riders, including Veronika and James Hillier. James showed off his Dakar bike and talked about his adventures and sold a few of his cool books to help his next ride in Dakar. We were pleased to be able to help in our small way as well as some of our customers.
In the evening, we were treated to an airshow from the legendary Red Arrows.
Saturday the senior race day finally dawned bright and clear! We were trying to get three of the four outstanding races in the day. There was a delay unfortunately in the morning due to spotty conditions however the Sun came up and we were able to run the super sport race as well as the super twin and finally, the senior TT race although shortened from 6 to 4 laps.
Most of the group viewed the racing from the Creg-ny-ba -- a location we visited a few times this week! -- and enjoed perfect viewing, great food and an open bar! Some clients joined us in the Mercury club at the paddock where we enjoyed more great food and drink and talks from a number of riders including all the podium finishers as well as John McGuinness and even British Superbike racer Rory Skinner. Our customers in the legends club were looked after by our friend Phil McCallan who took them to the start grid, the winners enclosure at parc ferme, and the control tower. Sensational!
A brilliant day at last which was finished off first with our closing drinks in Sir Norman's; then spectacular fireworks over Douglas Bay. And no visit to the TT would be complete without admission to the Bushy's fan zone for more beer and music!
Most people departed on Sunday but for a few of us who were hanging around the island we took a trip south to Murray's motorcycle Museum and then onto Castletown for a brilliant lunch with a view to the castle. Afterwards we ventured into the far south west where we visited an ancient stone burial mound and the gorgeous Calf of Man.
And finally to round out another brilliant fortnight at the Isle of Man, we raised a few pints in one of our favourite pubs in the world, The Glue Pot in Castletown!
An exhausting but highly rewarding TT, we can't wait to return!
Picture gallery - Isle of Man TT 2024
See our photos of the event on Flickr here Or check out ALL of our past event galleries here
