Topic: IOMTT on 60 Minutes

[Kevin D]

I caught the tail end of 60 (90) Minutes last night, and watched the entire story today On Demand. FFwd disabled, the IOM story starts at minute 60. Also found the segment in the link below at CBS News.

60-71 minutes: culture, heritage, history, governance “We’re not English, we’re not Irish, we’re Manx”.  76-87 minutes covers the Race. We meet Richard Quayle, Paul Phillips, Peter Hickman, Rennie Scaysbrook, ride on a simulator, risk discussion, visit the merch.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tt-isle-of-man-motorcycle-race-60-minutes-transcript/#

[newday777]

Love it!

[seanbarney41]

Thanks for posting!  History and culture stuff was new for me.

[Stev-o]

I saw it last night, my wife recorded it for me, was a good piece.

The two things that stood out to me is that Peter Hickman has won 13 times! And that even though 250 racers have died, they still continue to hold the event.  Money talks!

[simon#42]

it has nothing to do with money at all . most of those who have died will have had to pay an awful lot to race there .  ferries , hotel , race entry , fuel , tyres , bike maintenance . i have not raced there for years but the last time cost about ten grand

[Stev-o]

it has nothing to do with money at all...

Simon...I should have elaborated, economic impact income for the Isle is what I meant.  According to the piece, that is why the race started in the first place, over 100 years ago.

I live about an hour from COTA where the American Grand Prix was held last weekend. They estimate the economic impact at $1 billion dollars for the 3-day event!  I know this is a totally different ballgame but I bet the Isle has a big number too. One estimate has it at $38M USD...

https://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/tts-ps317m-boost-to-economy-228017

[simon#42]

Sorry Steve I got the wrong end of the stick , again . It was always the case that the races brought much needed money to the iom but in recent years that has changed . The iom has a lower tax rate than the rest of the uk and has attracted a lot of people who don’t need the money and who see the tt as an inconvenience . Pressure from them has seen the Manx gp much shortened and it’s future uncertain . If the tt does end this will be the reason not 250 dead riders .

[Kevin D]

Sorry Steve I got the wrong end of the stick , again . It was always the case that the races brought much needed money to the iom but in recent years that has changed . The iom has a lower tax rate than the rest of the uk and has attracted a lot of people who don’t need the money and who see the tt as an inconvenience . Pressure from them has seen the Manx go much shortened and it’s future uncertain . If the tt does end this will be the reason not 250 dead riders .

Simon, thanks for your post. I have never been, likely never will get there. But I would like very much to have the 37 miles to myself for a subsonic lap or 10. I didn’t know that the IOMTT is a battleground between cyclists and new money. The story doesn’t quite follow that storyline, beating around the bush. I have watched the video three times now. It’s telling when I see Paul Phillips say “it doesn’t exist because we like motorbikes. We do like motorbikes, but that’s not why it exists”. He is speaking not as an advocate, but conceding to the shut it down group the lever to end the event. Looks like he is in a tough spot.

[simon#42]

im not sure the tt can continue to exist in these modern times . every year i think this is it then but it does endure . i both love it and hate it . there is nothing quite like setting off down bray hill and i would not want to stop people experiencing that , on the other hand i miss my friends that died there .

[RAFster122s]

I don't know which makes me pucker more, on board video on a bike doing IOMTT or this Subaru blistering fast around the course...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/NtkXKrbThZvB4f51/?mibextid=xfxF2i

[Tim2005]

The saddest thing about the TT is it is the only time every year that motorcycling makes the UK's national news. When another tragedy happens of course. It's very sad for UK motorcycling, as well as for the people involved.

[Terry in Australia]

It’s a fantastic event and on my bucket list to go there before I die, the riders have bigger balls than just about anyone I’ve ever met, and the speeds are insane.