P263 CEJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:21/27 1/10 b{% ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs In just a few weeks from now, scorer of motor-cyclists will bj heading for the Isle of Man for one of the greatest free shows in the world. The TT races are held in June each year and for many it is a week-long festival of motor-cycle racing not to be missed. Racing takes place over the demanding 37}-mile Mountain circuit on roads normally used by island traffic. It is navigated bz courageous TT riders at mind-blowing speeds. MoreP263 CEJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:22/11 2/10 "£ £"!£"ab{% ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs The Isle of Man is largely unspoiled and is a beautiful place to visit. There are rocky coastal regions, large areas of moorland, quaint villages and much of historical interest. It is a perfect location for TT week, easily swallowing up the thousands of touring and racing enthusiasts who travel from all over Britain and abroad to take part in this unique event. It is a week of bikes, bikes and more bikes, with moro-cross events, shows, rallies - and some of the finest racing anywhere to bj found.P263 CJJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:17/31 3/10 ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs Much has been written about the "magic" of the TT races. It was thjte for sure on mz first visit in 1978. Nothing could have dampened my enthusiasm that year. Not the all-night wait in a dockside warehouse with other ridjts, nor the cramped, cold, crossing on rough seas. (Travel conditions have improved a lot since then). As I pitched mz tent in the early morning, listening to the excited chatter on Manx Radio about the day's racing prospects, I could understand why the TT was an annual pilgrimage for so many riders.P263 CEJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:23/27 4/10 ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs 1978 was a memorable year for the Isle of Man TT races. That was the year the great Mike Hailwood came out of retirement to make his famous winning comeback. He gave the TT a tremendous boost and for once the national njwspapjrs found something good to print about the races Hailwood, winner of 14 TT titles and tragically killed in a car crash, is one of the TT's great heroes. Two sections of the course have been re-named after him. MoreP263 CJJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:12/15 5/10 ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs The Islanders sjim to welcome the mass invasion by TT enthusiasts, commercially at least. They make an effort to welcome their leather-clad visitors. Bannjts hang actors the streets advertising bike products, souvenir shops sell TT postcards and crash helmets appear in window displays. Sevjtal enterprising cafes alter thjhu menus to include "TT Specials" - which usually means the meals are served with peas and chips. MoreP263 CEEFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:14/01 6/10 X ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs Motor-cycle racing on the Isle of Man first took place in the early 1900s. It was held during a car meeting - and was the support feature! Practice races wire untimed, unobserved and slotted in when the cars were not using the course. In fact, the cars damaged the roads so badly that a last minute decision was made to scrap the Mountain section for the bike races since it was considered too dangerous. MoreP263 CEEFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:14/34 7/10 ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs The TT races are believed to owe their origin to a Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars who offered the prize of a Tourist Trophy to the winner of an event run bz the ACC Racing Committee in 1907. The meeting consisted of two races, one for single cylinder machines and the othjt for multis, with the only racing regulation being that the motor-cycles must bj "of touring type". Since then, apart from the war years, there has been racing on the Island every summer. MoreP263 CJEFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:00/11 8/10 ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs This year the TT race programme will include the Production TT, a race for over-the-counter machines which was last held in 1976. There will bj nine separate events - the largest TT programmj jvju. Racing starts on Saturday, June 2, and continues on alternate days until Friday, June 8. Apart from the highly-coveted TT trophies to bj won, there is also prize money of more than £100,000 and start money of around £200,000. MoreP263 CJJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:15/44 9/10 X ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs Time is fast running out for anyone wishing to book accommodation and travel for this year's Isle of Man TT. The Isle of Man Tourist Board iu handling hotel and guest house inquiries (Douglas 4323). There are plenty of camping sites on the island but the most popular ones fill up fast and even campers would be wise to book in advance. No problems are expected for air travellers but riders wishing to take their bikes to the Island should book on the ferry as soon as possible.P263 CJJFAX 263 Tue 8 May 21:11/34 10/10 £ £ { £ £ ! b{ ISLE OF MAN TT'84 bz Annie Briggs Sealing and Steam Packet Seaways both run regular sjtvices to the Island and carry cars and motor-cycles. All sailings around the start and end of TT week are filling up fast. Sealing run two sailings a day, but those on Friday, June 1 are already fully booked. On Thursday, May 31, and Saturday morning, there is passenger room only. (Bookings: Heysham 53802). Steam Packet has five sailings a day. Again, Friday is fully booked but thjrj are a few bike spbces on the Thursday and Saturday sjtvices. (Douglas 3824).