Chancers and the Compelling, Consuming, Monster of Speed - Isle of Man TT

Formula one motor racing is still exciting to watch though I would say that it has tamed down more since the advent of better safety procedures and protocols. All this is for the better, but somewhere something is lost to the sport's excitement.

I keep asking myself why I prefer to watch the Isle of Man TT as opposed to the Motor Bike Grand Prix of today? The answer is because the Isle of Man TT is more dangerous. Why do I enjoy reading about the past Formula one races in the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc as opposed to the races of today? Again, it was more dangerous back then. 

I'm compelled by the danger of the Isle of Man TT even though I would never possess the dare to indulge such a sport personally. Almost every year, a rider is killed in a high speed crash. 2014 saw two racers killed. I feel great sorrow for the men who pitted their wits and lost, but I can't help thinking there is something inside us all that makes everyone want to be a chancer now and then. It obviously varies in degrees and subject matter. A chancer that can some how narrow the odds by pitting ones self against the elements in a chosen field (of some kind.) A business or industry - perhaps sport, like a dynamic footballer where the prospects of failure can be soul destroying, yet not life threatening. Then there are lone crusaders like boxers and motor racers. (True warriors or gladiators) The level of challenges vary and for some chancers it becomes death defying feats - to run parallel with the threat of oblivion in the mortal world, where defeat is ultimate, or to come out of it victorious and buzzing. 

Usually we do it for some type of adulation or gain - a trophy beyond that of a mere silver shiny cup. Something else like a moment in eternity that one might live off for the rest of his/her life. What drives us to do such things and what compels people like me to get a buzz out of watching the courage and insanity of the riders who try to defy the odds in a contest of speed along roads that twist and turn, go up and down with solid obstacles, like brick walls, at so many turns if not negotiated right?

The TT contest is an absolute beast that devours many people who want to be consumed by the danger and spat out at the other end of the ordeal intact and alive, carrying the dramatic memory forever when they ran parallel with potential and fatal death, yet did not succumb. Some even evolve to try and do so better then any of the other contestants. For many, it is just to watch the chancers as they pit their wits against one another along the circuit of road going around the island.

The Isle of Man is a haven for such dare devils that attracts people from all over the planet. Many come to be consumed by the monster called the Isle of Man TT. Contestants and spectators alike. For a few days the rules are changed and the knights can come out to play their dangerous and sometimes fatal game, while we spectators can watch and enjoy the wake of the high speed buzz. Even become appalled and saddened by those who will fall prey to the consuming monster. We can't help it because we are all compelled by the intoxicating danger. It is a small Haven were the beast remains untamed and gloriously vicious and brutal.

200 MPH Plus - Isle of Man TT.

I just can't get over the allure and the brush with near death experience. It comes to us all eventually, but to tweak the nose of the grim Reaper and get away with it. People find all sorts of ways of testing themselves and many brave fellows die in such pursuits of speed.

Jim Clark, Wolfgang von Trips, Peter Collins, Donald Campbell, Ayton Senna upon racing cars. Then there is this motorbike circuit like no other in the world. It brings out the knight in all across the world. They flock to this event and many die pitting their wits against this extreme speed demon. 

There will always be people like this who test the boundaries and I am in awe of them and their bravery. I could never do it, yet I get excited watching the grand race.

Isle of Man TT 2014 - The Knights of the World Gathered.

I would never have the bottle to do this, but can't help being drawn to the event. I love watching it and get an adrenalin rush just observing the audacity of these guys. Heaven knows what it must be like, skimming the very limit of such a danger zone - just brushing it and getting the 'do or dare' buzz - gritting ones teeth at the face of danger or sticking two fingers up to it. Once again, the knights of the planet are drawn to the monster that lives on a small island. The Isle of Man TT.

On An Island There Is A Celebrated Monster That Devours People

When I was a kid, the only hymn, I liked was: 

When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old,
He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold
With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand,
For God and for valour he rode through the land.

No charger have I, and no sword by my side,
Yet still to adventure and battle I ride,
Though back into storyland giants have fled,
And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead.

Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed
'Gainst the dragons of anger, the ogres of greed;
And let me set free with the sword of my youth,
From the castle of darkness, the power of the truth.

This hymn stirred me and made me wonder about all the heroes of the world. Where have they all gone? Well... they have not gone anywhere. It is in us all, but some will explore that to the limit. Many of us do not have that courage or perhaps feel it should not be spent too lightly. There is a huge grey area concerning such things. However, I can't help admiring some of these people who endeavour or fail and at great risk. 

Knights from Around the world battle the compelling monster

Upon our ancient Isles there is a much celebrated monster. This monster devours people and many like to be devoured and spat out again by this monster. Many of us watch excitedly, though most years there seems to be someone that gets devoured for good - a competitor that perishes and leaves our world. These are the road knights that do not come out of the monster. It is that danger that makes the monster the compelling and evocative thing it is. 

It is not among the usual nations of the Isles. Not Ireland, England, Wales or Scotland, but upon a smaller island between Ireland and Britain and in the Irish sea between Liverpool and Belfast. This grand monster devours heroes and heroes go to the island to be devoured by the compelling lure of this monster. Heroes come from all over the world to pit their wits against the monster before spectators that are equally aghast by the dream chasers. Almost every year lives are lost to the monster, yet still we love this sport and celebrate those who pay the ultimate price in pursuit of this compelling quest.

It is, of course, the Isle of Man TT. A motor racing sport that has a circuit around the island and is not confound by formula one racing rules. The Isle of Man TT is unique and beckons to knights from all over our world to come and try their hand. This monster race is a magnet for all the knights and cowboys that still live in our world. Those that would skim the edge of death at high speed motorbike racing, where rules and red tape are kept to a minimum.

For Gary Hubble killed at Isle of Man TT 2014 and all those who have gone before him to the grand monster of the small island of Man.

Isle Of Man TT Speed Needs of the Chancers

The Isle of Man TT is a Motorbike race like no other. The regulations are less stringent, so the safety aspect is reduced. The race is dangerous, to say the least. The Isle of Man TT is like a Mecca for those with an unyielding need to push themselves to the limit. Sometimes with dire consequences.

Watch the above clip and get an idea of the speed these racers go to and see what can happen with just the merest lapse in concentration.

    

Isle Of Man Motorbike TT Speed Freaks.

The Isle of Man TT Race. I don't know how these guys have got the courage but if you have, the thrill must be addictive. Uplifting like nothing I can imagine. Just watching these daredevils is breathtaking. Guy Martin - the thrill-seeking adventurer takes part in these races and his ambition is to one day win it.

The Isle of Man TT has public roads shut off and the road around the island in the Irish Sea, between Britain and Ireland, is exempt from certain UK or Ireland Government rules. The Isle of Man has its own parliament and has not allowed the UK, Ireland, or EU road safety restrictions to stop its prestigious and monumental race. It is also one of the most dangerous racing events in the world. In around one hundred and seven events since 1907, the TT has claimed in excess of 240 lives during race and training sessions.

Combined with other non-fatal, yet hair raising crashes, the event speaks for itself. Every year, when the race is held, it is like a Mecca for motorbike enthusiasts and race spectators. People from around the planet flock to the island. I, like all good spectators, wish to go and watch the Isle of Man TT. At least once in my life.