TAKING PART
IN HISTORY
The Isle of Man TT is the world's
oldest motorsports event, having
run nearly every year since 1907,
save for World War II, the Foot
and Mouth epidemic in 2000
and two years of Covid-induced
hiatus. The 37.73-mile track is
largely the same layout it's always
been; there are still the same
dangers, and it is still, after more
than a century, the ultimate place
to test the mettle of man and
machine.
The dangers are undeniable.
Five riders (Mark Purslow,
Davy Morgan, sidecar passenger
Cesar Chanal and father and son
sidecar duo Bradley and Roger
Stockton) did not make it home
this year, casting a shadow over
the TT's return in the deadliest
year since 1989.
It's a common conundrum
of the event that although they
passed on, these racers all lined
up, as did I, of their own free will,
knowing this could indeed be
their last ride. The TT is unique. It
is one of the few places left
in the world where a man
or woman can make that
choice—to be in command
of their bodies and their
ultimate destiny.
That destiny is controlled
by a simple tap on the
shoulder from the official
race starter, letting you
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 27 JULY 6, 2022 P103
know it's your turn to face the
challenge of the Snaefell Moun-
tain Course. In the increasing
digitization of our world, the TT
retains this beautifully simple tra-
dition, one that provides what for
some is a final human touch.
I can tell you from personal
experience—that touch is some-
thing you hardly feel because
Peter Hickman
is the current
king and lap
record holder at
the Isle of Man.
