View source for Isle of Man TT Mountain Course

{{Short description|Motorcycle circuit on the Isle of Man}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name          = TT Mountain Circuit
| Location      = [[Douglas, Isle of Man]]
| Time          = [[British Summer Time]] (during event-season)
| Image         = Isle of Man TT Course (OpenStreetMap).svg
| Caption       = Route of the TT Course
| Events        = [[Isle of Man TT]]<br />[[Manx Grand Prix]]<br />[[Sidecar World Championship]] (1960–1976)
| Length_km     = 60.718
| Length_mi     = 37.730
| miles_first   = true
| Turns         = 219
| Record_time   = 16:36.114 seconds – {{convert|136.358|mph|kph|abbr=on}} average
| Record_driver = [[Peter Hickman]]
| Record_car    = [[BMW S1000RR#M1000RR 2021|BMW M1000RR]]
| Record_year   = [[Isle of Man TT#Current lap records|2023]]
}}
The '''Isle of Man TT Mountain Course''' or ''TT Course'' or ''Snaefell Mountain Course'' or ''Elmo’s Mountain Course''<ref>''Isle of Man Centenary TT – ACU/MMCC Official Race Guide'' page 67 Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure (2007) Mannin Media Group Ltd</ref> is a street and [[Road racing|public rural road]] circuit located in the [[Isle of Man]], used for motorcycle racing. The motorcycle ''TT Course'' is used principally for the [[Isle of Man TT]] Races and also the separate event of the [[Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling]] for the [[Manx Grand Prix]] and [[Classic TT]] Races held in September of each year.<ref>International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy – 2018 Regulations page 26 Section 7 Qualifying and Race Procedure TT Business Development Manager (2018) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development. ACU Events Ltd</ref> The start-line for the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course is located on Glencrutchery Road in the City of [[Douglas, Isle of Man]].<ref name="auto">Daily Express page 38 Friday 7 September 1979</ref>

The clockwise course has a lap of {{convert|37.730|mi|km|abbr=on}},<ref>Official TT Guide 1992 pp 45 Mannin Media Publication/Isle of Man Department of Tourism</ref> from the start line at the [[TT Grandstand]] on Glencrutchery Road ([[A2 road (Isle of Man)|A2]] [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]] to Douglas) in the island's main town of [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]].<ref name="auto"/> After negotiating urban streets, the racing circuit turns right to leave Douglas at [[Quarter Bridge]], then proceeds along the [[A1 road (Isle of Man)|A1]] Douglas to [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]] Road from Braddan Bridge, through the villages of [[Union Mills]], [[Glen Vine]], [[Crosby, Isle of Man|Crosby]], and [[Greeba Bridge|Greeba]]. The course then turns right at [[Ballacraine]] on to the [[A3 road (Isle of Man)|A3]] [[Castletown, Isle of Man|Castletown]] to Ramsey road, firstly through countryside glens followed by agricultural land interspersed by the villages of [[Kirk Michael]], [[Ballaugh]] and [[Sulby, Isle of Man|Sulby]], finally intersecting with the [[A18 road (Isle of Man)|A18]] [[Snaefell mountain road]] after negotiating urban streets in the town of Ramsey. The A18 then takes the course back to Douglas through the highest point, situated after the [[Bungalow, Isle of Man|Bungalow]] at [[Hailwood's Height]] near the 31st Milestone and the UK Ordnance Survey [[spot height]] of {{convert|422|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} above sea level. The descent starts through countryside before entering the residential outskirts of Douglas back to the finish line.

==History==
Motor racing began on the Isle of Man in 1904 with the [[Gordon Bennett Cup (auto racing)|Gordon Bennett Trial]] and originally was restricted to touring automobiles. As the  [[UK]] [[Motor Car Act 1903]] placed a speed restriction of {{convert|20|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} on cars within the United Kingdom, the Secretary of the [[Royal Automobile Club|Automobile Club of Britain and Ireland]] approached the authorities in the Isle of Man to seek permission to race cars on public roads.<ref>''Island Racer'' 2004 page 112–113 Mortons Media Group Ltd ISSN 1743-5838</ref> The Highways (Light Locomotives) Act 1904 passed by Tynwald gave permission to use local roads for the {{convert|52.15|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Highroads Course]] for the 1904 Gordon Bennett Trial.<ref>''The Statutes of the Isle of Man Vol VII from 1896 to 1905''  page 569 Edited by C.T.W Hughes-Games Brown and Sons Ltd</ref>

For the 1905 Gordon Bennett Car event it was decided to run a trial for motor-cycles the day after for a team to represent Great Britain in the International Motor-Cycle Cup Races. The inability of the motorcycle competitors to climb the steep primary [[A18 road (Isle of Man)|A18]] Snaefell Mountain Road section of the course forced the organisers to use a {{convert|25|mi|km|adj=on}} section of the Gordon Bennett Trial course. For this reason, the [[1907 Isle of Man TT]] Race used the {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[St. John's Short Course]]. The 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race for automobiles the Highroad Course was reduced from {{convert|52.15|mi|km|abbr=on}} to {{convert|40.38|mi|km|abbr=on}}. For the 1908 Tourist Trophy race for automobiles, the course was again reduced to {{convert|37.50|mi|km|abbr=on}} with the removal of the Peel and Sandygate loops and was known as the [[Four Inch Course]].<ref name="Man' pp 103">''TT Pioneers – Early Car Racing in the Isle of Man'' page 103–104 Robert Kelly, Mercury Asset Management (1996)(1st Edition) The Manx Experience, The Alden Press ISBN No 1 873120 61 3</ref> The name of the course derives from the regulations for the 1908 Tourist Trophy adopted by the [[Royal Automobile Club]] which limited the engines of the competing automobiles to a cylinder diameter of {{convert|4|in||}}. The Four-Inch Course was adopted by the Auto-Cycle Club for the [[1911 Isle of Man TT|1911 races]]. The Four-Inch Course subsequently became known as the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course or ''TT Course'' when used for motor-cycle racing.<ref name="Man' pp 103"/>

===Course changes: 1920–1939===
[[File:003brandywell.jpg|thumb|Brandywell TT Race Marshal Shelter and Weather Station on the A18 Mountain Road/B10 Sartfield Road looking north towards [[Snaefell]] Mountain and North Barrule]]
For the [[1919 Isle of Man TT]], changes were made to the Mountain Course and competitors turned left at [[Cronk-ny-Mona]] and followed the primary A18 Mountain Road to [[Governor's Bridge (Isle of Man)|Governor's Bridge]] with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course from the pre-[[World War I]] length of {{convert|37.50|mi|km|abbr=on}} to {{convert|37.75|mi|km|abbr=on}}. An extensive programme of road improvements occurred to many roads in 1922 by the Highway Board including the Mountain Course with road widening at [[Sulby Bridge]], from Port-e-Chee on the A1 Peel Road to [[Braddan Bridge]] and part of the main road through Crosby.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner and General Advertiser'' page 12 No 2158 Saturday 12 November 1921 – Tynwald £27,325 improvement scheme for course</ref> Modification of [[Signpost Corner]] including rounding off the bend occurred in 1922 along with further road widening at Governor's Bridge with the completion of the link road to A2 Glencrutchery Road/Governor's Road and the removal of fence posts at [[Keppel Gate]].<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner and General Advertiser'' page 2 Saturday 12 May 1922</ref> Further changes to the course followed in 1922 with the adoption of a private road part of the Ballastowle Estate between [[Parliament Square, Ramsey|Parliament Square]] and [[May Hill, Gloucestershire|May Hill]] in Ramsey.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner and General Advertiser'' page 12 No 2158 Saturday 12 November 1921</ref> The course had previously had negotiated the [[A2 road (Isle of Man)|A2]] Albert Road and Tower Road in Ramsey and the new course length was now {{convert|37.739|mi|km|abbr=on}}. The official course distance for the Snaefell Mountain Course was amended in 1938 to {{convert|37.73|mi|km|abbr=on}} which is the current course length.<ref>''Official TT Guide 1992'' page 45 edited by Norrie White Isle of Man Department of Tourism (1992) Mannin Media Ltd</ref>

For the [[1934 Isle of Man TT]] races major alterations to the TT Mountain Course were carried out which included the removal of the East Snaefell Mountain sheep-gate.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' dated 31 May 1934</ref> This was followed by the removal of the hump-backed bridge at [[Ballig]] and the road work was completed for the Manx Grand Prix in September 1935. Road widening occurred on the Mountain Course at the Highlander, [[Laurel Bank]], [[Glen Helen, Isle of Man|Glen Helen]] (between the Old Quarry and Brew's Restaurant), and at [[Brandywell, Isle of Man|Brandywell]] with the removal of the Beinn-y-Phott sheep-gate for the [[1935 Isle of Man TT]] races.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' dated 25 May 1935</ref> Road Improvements occurred at the [[26th Milestone]], [[Greeba Bridge]] and on the Sulby Straight for the [[1938 Isle of Man TT]] races. Further road widening and landscaping occurred at the [[Waterworks]] with road widening between the [[Gooseneck, Isle of Man|Gooseneck]] and the 26th Milestone for the [[1939 Isle of Man TT|1939 races]].<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' pp4 dated 13 May 1939</ref> A memorial to [[Jimmie Guthrie]] was built in 1939 at [[Guthrie's Memorial|The Cutting]] at a cost of £1,500<ref name="Man Weekly Times' pp18">''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' pp18 dated 17 June 1939</ref> (equivalent to £{{Inflation|UK|1500|1939|fmt=c|r=-3}} in {{Inflation-year|UK}}).

===Course changes: 1947–1999===
[[File:Clypse Course.svg|thumb|Route of the [[Clypse Course]] used 1954–1959]]
Major road widening occurred on the Mountain course at the 33rd Milestone, including the removal of fence posts at road level and the removal of a section of a grass bank before the start of the [[1947 Isle of Man TT]] races.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' dated 12 May 1947</ref> Changes to the Mountain Course occurred for the [[1953 Isle of Man TT|1953 races]] including road widening at [[Bedstead Corner and The Nook, Isle of Man|Bedstead Corner]], elevation works at [[Signpost Corner]] and [[Cronk-ny-Mona]], and the widening of the corner at [[Gorse Lea]].<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' pp7 dated 25 April 1953</ref> Before the commencement of racing for the 1953 Manx Grand Prix, the cottage at [[Appledene]] Corner was demolished between the 6th and 7th Milestone road-side marker on the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road on the Mountain Course.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp12 dated 14 August 1953</ref> Further changes occurred to the Mountain Course to facilitate racing on the [[Clypse Course]] and during the winter of 1953/54 road widening occurred on the primary A18 Mountain Road at [[Creg-ny-Baa]], Signpost Corner, [[Cronk-ny-Mona]], and at the approach to [[Governor's Bridge (Isle of Man)|Governor's Bridge]].<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp12 dated 5 January 1954</ref> The approach to the [[Quarterbridge]] on the primary A2 Douglas to Peel road was widened and re-profiled and the jumps at the [[Highlander, Isle of Man|Highlander]] and adjacent to [[Ballagarraghyn]] Cottages were removed for the [[1954 Isle of Man TT]] Races.<ref>''TT 100 – The Authorised History of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Racing'' by Mick Duckworth pp111 (2007)(1st Edition) Lily Publications {{ISBN|9781899602674}}</ref> Other major course alterations for the 1954 Isle of Man TT Races included road widening at Appledene, [[Handley's Corner]], Barregarrow, [[Rhencullen]], [[Ballaugh Bridge]], [[Ginger Hall]] ([[Sulby, Isle of Man|Sulby]]), and [[Kerrowmoar]].<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp6 dated 28 May 1954</ref> During the winter of 1957/58 the hotel at the [[Bungalow, Isle of Man|Bungalow]] tram-crossing was removed on the Mountain Section of the course.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp1 dated 10 April 1958</ref><ref name="Man Tourist Trophy Racing' pp29">''TT 100 – The Authorised History of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Racing'' by Mick Duckworth pp29 (2007)(1st Edition) Lily Publications {{ISBN|9781899602674}}</ref>

During the 1960s further road-widening occurred at Ballig and also at [[Greeba Bridge]] on the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road. In 1963 a roundabout was added to the road junction at the [[Quarterbridge, Isle of Man|Quarterbridge]].<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp5 dated 6 June 1963</ref> The winter of 1970/1971 and road-widening occurred on the A18 Mountain Road at [[Verandah, Isle of Man|Verandah]] by cutting into the hillside.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' pp1 dated 6 January 1971</ref> During the winter of 1975/76 road-widening and landscaping by the Isle of Man Highway Board occurred at Snugbrough on the primary A2 road at the 2nd Milestone.<ref>''TT 100 The Official Authorised History of Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Racing'' page 21 by Mick Duckworth Editor Miles Coswell (2007)(1st Edition) Lily Publications Ltd {{ISBN|9781899602674}}</ref> The winter of 1986 further re-profiling occurred at the Quarterbridge road junction with a new road traffic system including two new mini-roundabouts, the removal of a traffic island, and trees. Road re-profiling and widening occurred at [[Quarry Bends]] during the winter of 1987. During the winter months of 1991/1992 the A18 Mountain Road was closed for repair work to the road foundation between the [[26th Milestone]] and the Mountain Box and also between the [[Windy Corner, Isle of Man|Windy Corner]] and [[Keppel Gate]].<ref>''Official Isle of Man TT Programme 1992'' pp 45 edited by Norrie White Isle of Man Department of Tourism (1992) Mannin Media Ltd</ref>

===Course changes: 2000–present===
[[File:027gov bridge.jpg|thumb|left|Governor's Bridge road junction between the A18 Bemahague Road and the A2 Governor's Road]]
From 2003 to 2006, road repair work was carried-out on the primary A3 road from Barregarrow to Cronk-y-Voddy, including [[Handley's Corner]] and the [[11th Milestone]]. In 2004 the western-side embankment is removed from [[Guthrie's Memorial]] on the A18 Mountain Road. Also, during the winter of 2004/2005 road widening occurred at [[Windy Corner, Isle of Man|Windy Corner]] followed by [[Brandish Corner]] during the winter of 2005/2006 by the Department of Transport. In October 2007 the Department of Transport began road widening at [[Braddan Bridge]] on the Mountain Course with the creation of a new roundabout incorporating the 'Jubilee Oak' Tree on the A1 Douglas to Peel Road. The Department of Transport also announced the proposal of building a new section of road and roundabout for the Mountain Course with a link road from Signpost Corner to [[Governor's Bridge (Isle of Man)|Governor's Bridge]] using the existing A18 Bemahague Road. This road widening scheme began in February 2008<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp5 dated 5 February 2008</ref> with the removal of trees on the Bemahague Estate which included [[Government House, Isle of Man|Government House]], the official residence of the [[Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man|Lieutenant Governor]], and the creation of a small mini-roundabout. Further work by the Department of Transport in July and September 2008 included a storm drain and the completion of the mini-roundabout. The TT races and Manx Grand Prix continued to use the original A18 Bemahague Road that runs parallel to the new link road and the ''Governor's Dip'' for motorcycle racing. In July 2008, the Department of Transport announced a £4 Million road safety scheme for the [[Quarterbridge, Isle of Man|Quarterbridge]] road junction, including the building of a new roundabout and the demolition of the Quarterbridge Hotel.<ref>''Manx Independent'' pp3 dated 4 July 2008</ref> In August 2009, for the [[2009 Manx Grand Prix]] a section of grass bank is removed from the southern side of [[Keppel Gate]]. This was to provide a run-off area after a practice crash by the Australian TT competitor [[Cameron Donald]] and a further more serious incident involving Travelling Marshal John McBride at Keppel Gate during the [[2009 Isle of Man TT]] races.

[[File:Keppel_Gate_IMG_0225.jpg|thumb|right|Keppel Gate and Keppel Park showing the 2015 landscaping]]
During the winter of 2010, further road construction and repair work was carried out by the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure Highways Division, and the Isle of Man Water Authority between [[Cronk Urleigh]] and the 13th Milestone. This was followed by major road resurfacing work between the 13th Milestone and Westwood Corner near Kirk Michael, Barregarrow Hill, and Sulby Straight from Kella Crossroads to [[Sulby Bridge]] during the spring of 2011. The Highways Division modified the road junction at [[Signpost Corner]] including improved drainage, elevation changes, and repairs to the road surface in November 2010<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 5, Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2010) Johnson Press Publishing 2 November 2010</ref> and the same major repair process of road resurfacing was repeated for the [[Quarterbridge, Isle of Man|Quarter Bridge]] road junction in February 2011.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 5, Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2011) Johnson Press Publishing 25 January 2011</ref> The Department of Infrastructure during the winter of 2011/2012 removed and re-positioned roadside fence-posts from Brandywell to the 32nd Milestone and from Windy Corner to the 33rd Milestone. During the winter of 2012/2013 the stone TT Marshal shelter at [[Guthrie's Memorial, Isle of Man|Guthrie's Memorial]] was demolished. The roadway at [[Hillberry Corner]] underwent repairs to the carriageway and was resurfaced and re-profiled by the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure, Highways Division during the spring of 2014. In April 2015, the Highways Division instigated a programme of landscaping at [[Keppel Gate, Isle of Man|Keppel Gate]] including the removal of a small grass bank on the north-eastern side of the corner, road re-profiling and re-surfacing work.<ref>''Manx Independent&nbsp;– Manninagh Seyr'' page 4 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2015) Johnston Press Publishing&nbsp;– Newsprint (Knowlsey) Ltd &nbsp; 4 April 2015</ref>

==Official lap records==
The outright lap record for the TT Mountain Course is 16 minutes and 36.115 seconds at an average of {{convert|136.358|mph|abbr=on}}. This was set by [[Peter Hickman]] on a [[BMW S1000RR|BMW M1000RR]] Superstock bike during the 2023 Superstock TT Race Two.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Petrie |first=Richard |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/northern-ireland/65856221 |title=Hickman seals record-breaking Superstock TT double |date=9 June 2023 |website=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

The lap record for the Senior TT race is 16 minutes and 42.778 seconds at an average speed of {{cvt|135.452|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} set by Peter Hickman during the 2018 Senior TT Race. The race record is also held by Hickman in 1 hour, 43 minutes and 08,065 seconds; an average race speed of {{convert|131.700|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} achieved during the same 6 lap Senior TT race.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Gary |title=PokerStars Senior TT: Result Sheet |work=Official results |publisher=iomtt.com |date=8 June 2018 |url=https://www.iomtt.com/~/media/Files/2018/Results/race/0806/PokerStars-Senior-TT-result.pdf |access-date=11 January 2022 }}</ref>

The lap record for the [[Sidecar TT]] race  is 18 minutes and 42.350 seconds at an average speed of {{convert|121.021|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} set by Ryan Crowe and passenger Callum Crowe during the 2025 Sidecar TT Race 1.<ref>https://timing.iomttraces.com/standingsr.html?raid=27342fa0-433a-451f-a0cb-b210c8b257dd</ref> The race record for the Sidecar TT is 56 minutes and 41.816 seconds, an average race speed of {{convert|119.784|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} for 3 laps (113.00 miles) of the Mountain Course is held by [[Ben and Tom Birchall]], during the 2023 Sidecar TT Race 2.<ref>https://www.iomttraces.com/racing/page/lap-and-race-records/</ref>

In the 2006 TT practice New Zealander [[Bruce Anstey]] achieved the unofficial current top speed record of {{convert|206|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/20june06_ttspeed.htm |title=Motorcycle Daily |access-date=9 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102061804/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/20june06_ttspeed.htm |archive-date=2 January 2008  }} New Isle of Man Top Speed Record (retrieved 12 August 2006)</ref> at the end of Sulby straight on a Suzuki 1000cc machine. This speed value was registered by the on-board datalogging equipment.

===Race lap records===

{| class="wikitable"
!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event
|-
! colspan=5 | Circuit: 60.718&nbsp;km (1908–present)
|-
| [[Superbike racing|Superbike]] || '''16:42.778''' || [[Peter Hickman]] || [[BMW S1000RR]] || [[2018 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Formula 750]] || '''20:09.8'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1976-senior-tt/|title=1976 Senior TT|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> || [[John Williams (motorcyclist)|John Williams]] || [[Suzuki TR750]] || [[1976 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing#Pre-MotoGP era|350cc]] || '''20:49.6''' || [[Tony Rutter]] || [[Yamaha TZ 350]] || [[1976 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing#Pre-MotoGP era|250cc]] || '''21:27.8''' || [[Tom Herron]] || [[Yamaha TZ 250]] || [[1976 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing#Pre-MotoGP era|500cc]] || '''21:45''' || [[John Surtees]] || [[MV Agusta 500 racers#MV Agusta 500 4C 1950–1966|MV Agusta 500 4C]] || [[1960 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Sidecar World Championship|Sidecar (B2A)]] || '''23:13''' || [[Helmut Fath]]<br> [[Siegfried Schauzu]]|| [[BMW Motorrad|BMW]]<br> [[Aro Fath]] [[sidecar]] || [[1960 Isle of Man TT]]<br> [[1976 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing#Pre-MotoGP era|125cc]] || '''26:17.6''' || [[Carlo Ubbiali]] || [[MV Agusta 125 Bialbero]] || [[1960 Isle of Man TT]]
|-
| [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] || '''39:15'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1922-tourist-trophy/|title=1922 Tourist Trophy|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> || [[Henry Segrave]] || [[Grand Prix Sunbeams 1921, 1922 TT|1922 Sunbeam]] || [[1922 Grand Prix season|1922 R.A.C. Isle of Man Tourist Trophy]] 
|-
| [[Voiturette (F2)|Voiturette]] || '''41:04'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/1922-isle-of-man-voiturette/|title=1922 Isle of Man Voiturette|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> || [[Algernon Lee Guinness]]|| [[Talbot-Darracq 56]] || 1922 Isle of Man Voiturette race
|-
|}

==Cycling==
The same course has also been used for [[cycle racing]], including [[individual time trial]]s and, from 1936, the [[Manx Trophy|Manx International]] massed-start road race. The first race held on 18 June 1936 was won by [[Charles Holland (cyclist)|Charles Holland]] of the Midland Cycle and Athletics Club in 1 hour, 42 minutes and 57 seconds for one lap of the Mountain Course.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp15 dated 29 January 2008</ref> In May 2017 it was announced that the circuit would be used for the 2017 [[British National Road Race Championships]] in June of that year, two weeks after the TT races.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/courses-for-british-national-championships-revealed/ |title=Courses for British national championships revealed |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=4 May 2017 |website=[[cyclingnews.com]]|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

The cycling absolute lap record for the Mountain Course was broken in 2015 by Isle of Man born professional cyclist [[Peter Kennaugh]] in a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes and 48 seconds,<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 31 ''Final Whistle'' Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2015) Johnson Press Publishing&nbsp;– Sheffield Web 29 September 2015</ref> beating the previous longstanding record, set by former Olympic cyclist [[Chris Boardman]] in 1993, by 6 seconds.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 30 ''Final Whistle'' Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2014) Johnson Press Publishing&nbsp;– Sheffield Web 19 August 2013</ref>

==Cars==
On 6 June 1990 [[Tony Pond]] completed the first {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} average-speed lap in 22 minutes, 9.1 seconds driving a [[Rover 800 Series|Rover 827 Vitesse]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=David |title=Tony Pond |work=Motor Sport |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 April 2002 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/apr/02/guardianobituaries.motorracing?INTCMP=SRCH |access-date=16 May 2013 }}</ref>

In 2011 [[Mark Higgins (driver)|Mark Higgins]] completed a lap in 19 minutes, 56.67 seconds at an average speed over {{convert|113|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} driving a USAC Rally America specification [[Prodrive]] prepared 4-door [[Subaru WRX STI]].

In 2014 Mark Higgins broke his own record driving a 2015 model [[Subaru WRX STI]] with a lap time of 19 minutes, 15.88 at an average speed of {{convert|117.510|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 13 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2014) Johnson Press Publishing&nbsp;– Sheffield Web 10 June 2014</ref>

On 4 June 2016 Higgins improved on his record with a lap in 17 minutes 49.75 seconds, an average speed of {{convert|126.971|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} driving a 2016 model of the same car.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Higgins Demolishes Isle of Man TT Record With 2016 Subaru WRX STI|publisher=autoevolution.com|date=4 June 2016|url=http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mark-higgins-demolishes-isle-of-man-tt-record-with-2016-subaru-wrx-sti-108186.html|access-date=6 June 2016}}</ref> Then a few days later he went even quicker completing the lap in 17 minutes 35 seconds, an average speed of 128.73&nbsp;mph (207.17&nbsp;km/h).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modified Subaru WRX STi sets new Isle of Man TT lap record |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/subaru/wrx-sti/95882/modified-subaru-wrx-sti-sets-new-isle-of-man-tt-lap-record |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Auto Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Named corners==
{{hatnote|This section is about corners named after Isle of Man TT riders.}}
[[File:004gutheires.jpg|thumb|TT Race Marshal Signal Box on the A18 Mountain Road looking north towards [[Guthrie's Memorial]] and the Point of Ayre]]
There are 219 corners on the Mountain Course with about 60 named corners, some named after individuals. The first corner to be named after a competitor was Edges Corner in 1920 on the primary A21 ''Johnny Watterson's Lane'' on the Mountain Course between [[Cronk-ny-Mona]] and the [[A22 road (Isle of Man)|A22]] Ballanard Road in [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] used for racing between 1911 and 1922.<ref name="Man Tourist Trophy Racing' pp29"/>

Part of the TT Course was renamed [[Brandish Corner]] after Walter Brandish crashed in the right-hand gutter while trying to pass another competitor at Upper Hillberry Corner (previously Telegraph Hill) between [[Creg-ny-Baa]] and [[Hillberry Corner]] and broke a leg during practice for the [[1923 Isle of Man TT|1923 TT]] races.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' pp3 dated 9 June 1923</ref> During an early morning practice session for the [[1927 Isle of Man TT|1927 TT]], [[Archie Birkin]] swerved in Kirk Michael village to avoid a fish-van travelling to Peel on the primary A3 road, collided with a wall and was killed. The corner was then named [[Birkin's Bend]], and afterwards, from 1928, practice sessions for the TT races and [[Manx Grand Prix]] were held on closed roads. The Ballameanagh Corner between the [[11th Milestone]] and the 12th Milestone was renamed [[Handley's Corner]] after [[Wal Handley]], riding a [[Rudge-Whitworth|Rudge]] motorcycle, crashed during lap 1 of the [[1932 Isle of Man TT|1932 TT]] [[Senior TT|Senior race]], sustained a back injury and subsequently retired from the race. In 1939 a stone memorial to [[Jimmie Guthrie]] was built at ''The Cutting'' on the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road and the S-bend corner was renamed [[Guthrie's Memorial]].<ref name="Man Weekly Times' pp18"/>

Following a crash during an evening practice session for the [[1950 Isle of Man TT]] races by [[Bill Doran (motorcyclist)|Bill Doran]] between [[Ballig]] Bridge and [[Laurel Bank]], the corner was named [[Doran's Bend]]. A stone shelter in a style of a small mountain Alpine Lodge was built in 1955 as a memorial to [[Leslie Graham|Les Graham]], the inaugural 500&nbsp;cc World Champion solo motorcyclist, on the A18 Mountain Road.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' pp9 dated 10 June 1955</ref> The corner is named [[Bungalow Bridge|Les Graham Memorial]] or sometimes referred to as the ''Bungalow Bridge''.

The uphill section of the Mountain Course from the [[Bungalow, Isle of Man|Bungalow]] to the highest point of the course near [[Brandywell, Isle of Man|Brandywell]] was named in 1981 as ''Hailwood's Rise'', in memory of [[Mike Hailwood]], the former world motorcycle champion, and the highest point of the course preceding the Brandywell road junction was named [[Hailwood's Height]].<ref>''Isle of Man TT Festival Fortnight 1–12 June 1981 – Official Souvenir Programme'' page 17 Isle of Man Tourist Board The Auto-Cycle Union (1981) J.M. Noble Ltd, Isle of Man</ref> In 2003 the 32nd Milestone was named ''Duke's'',<ref>''TT News – Issue 1'' pp20 dated 1 June 2003</ref> after the 1950s world solo motorcycle champion [[Geoff Duke]], and the [[26th Milestone, Isle of Man|26th Milestone]] was named ''Joey's'' after the former Formula 1 TT motor-cycle champion [[Joey Dunlop]], who tallied 26 race wins.

In 2013 the Isle of Man Government took the unusual step of naming corners after active competitors, with 23 times TT winner [[John McGuinness (motorcycle racer)|John McGuinness]],<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/33114427 Isle of Man TT: McGuinness equals Hailwood record seven Senior wins] ''[[BBC Sport]]'' Northern Ireland, 12 June 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2020</ref> and [[Dave Molyneux]], the most successful Manxman with 17 wins, being honoured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--racing-news/tt-corners-named-after-mcguinness-and-molyneux/22610.html|title=TT corners named after McGuinness and Molyneux|publisher=visordown.com|date=10 April 2013|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>

The latest corners to be named have been named in honour of non-riders who have demonstrated a dedication to the TT. These include Ray Caley, former operator of the shop and post office at the junction of the course with Sulby Glen road who died in 2017.<ref>[http://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-sport/corner-named-in-memory-of-raymond-caley/ Corner named in memory of Raymond Caley] ''[[Manx Radio]]'', 18 May 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2020</ref> Caley's Corner is at the beginning of Sulby Straight. In 2019 Harold Leece was recognised for his garden hospitality to TT spectators with his name on a directional marker board. Harold's corner is the 170&nbsp;mph right hand bend as the riders approach Gorse Lea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iomttraces.com/news/business/harolds-corner-named-in-honour-of-famous-host|title=New TT sign to honour Harold Reece's hospitality at Gorse Lea|publisher=iomttraces.com|date=18 April 2019|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>

==Safety==
Between 1911 and 2024 there have been 270 rider competitor fatalities during official practices or races on the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course (this number includes the riders killed during the [[Manx Grand Prix]], and Clubman TT race series of the late 1940s/1950s). The first fatality on the TT Course was near [[Glen Helen, Isle of Man|Glen Helen]] during practice for the 1911 TT when [[Victor Surridge]], a works [[Rudge-Whitworth]] rider, crashed heavily and died of his injuries.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' page 9 Saturday 1 July 1911</ref> This was also possibly the first death in the [[Isle of Man]] of a person in a motorcycle or other road-vehicle accident.<ref>''TT Topics and Tales'' page 69 by David Wright&nbsp;– Amulree Publications (4 April 2006) {{ISBN|1-901508-09-9}}</ref>

[[File:Douglas_Road_Corner_IMG_0003.JPG|thumb|left|The [[A3 road (Isle of Man)|A3]] [[Castletown, Isle of Man|Castletown]] to [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]] road approaching Douglas Road Corner, Kirk Michael with safety air fencing on the outside of the bend]]
The compulsory use of crash helmets for the [[1914 Isle of Man TT]] motor-cycle races was the result of a fatal accident to Frank Bateman on the Keppel Gate section of the TT Course near to  [[Kates Cottage, Isle of Man|Kates Cottage]] during the 1913 [[Senior TT]] race.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 8 Saturday 7 June 1913</ref> The  first introduction of a flag to signify the end of an Isle of Man TT  race was as a result of a fatal accident to [[Frederick James Walker|Fred Walker]] near to the finish line of the 1914 [[Junior TT]] motor-cycle race after crashing into course boundary boards at St. Ninians Crossroads and Ballaquayle Road in the town of Douglas.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 3 Saturday 30 May 1914</ref>

During an early morning practice session for the [[1927 Isle of Man TT]] races, [[Archie Birkin]], brother of [[Tim Birkin]] of the [[Bentley Boys]] fame, crashed fatally at [[Rhencullen]] after swerving to avoid a collision with a Fish Van being driven on open roads.<ref>''Mona's Herald'' page 5 T.T. RIDER KILLED Wednesday 8 June 1927</ref>  From 1928 onwards,  practice sessions for the Isle of Man TT Races and [[Manx Grand Prix]] were held on closed public roads.<ref>Mona's Herald page 5 A {{sic|?|SAFTEY}} MEASURE Wednesday 14 March 1928</ref>

During the first lap of the [[1934 Isle of Man TT|1934]] Lightweight  TT race,  Syd Crabtree, European Grand Prix competitor and winner of the [[1929 Isle of Man TT|1929]] Lightweight TT, crashed fatally in heavy hill fog on the Mountain section of the TT Course near to the  Stonebreakers Hut on the Verandah section of the course.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 5 LIGHTWEIGHT TT TRAGADY Friday 15 June 1934</ref><ref>''Isle of Man TT & MGP Memorial 1907–2007'' page 18 Paul Bradford The Copy shop (2008) {{ISBN|978-0-9560151-0-5}}</ref> For the [[1935 Isle of Man TT]] races,  two motorcycle-equipped Travelling Marshals were employed to search for missing riders, particularly in poor weather conditions on the Mountain section of the TT Course.<ref>''Travelling Marshals At the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and Manx Grand Prix Races'' by David Wright page 15 (2010)(2nd Edition) Amulree Publications The Premier Print {{ISBN|1901508064}}</ref> After a fatal crash by [[Doug J. Pirie]], in poor visibility caused by mountain mist and fog near to the 33rd TT Milestone during the 1935 Lightweight TT, races were delayed or postponed to the next day until the weather improved.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 24  9 October 2007 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2007) Johnson Press Publishing</ref> The first evening practice sessions were introduced for the [[1937 Isle of Man TT]] races which continue to this day.<ref>''TT Special'' Editor G.S. Davison page 4 TT HISTORY IS MADE Friday 11 June 1937</ref>

Further changes to the Mountain Course occurred during the winter of 1953/54 as the result of fatalities to competitors during the TT races and Manx Grand Prix from 1951 to 1953. Changes were also made to facilitate the return of [[Sidecar TT]] on the new [[Clypse Course]]. On safety grounds, [[Seed (sports)|'seeding']] of competitors occurred for the 1959 TT race. The Thursday afternoon practice session from 13:45–17:00 pm introduced in the late 1950s was discontinued for the Centenary [[2007 Isle of Man TT]] races. Also during the late 1950s, Appledene Cottage was demolished on safety grounds along with ''Old Brew's Restaurant'' near [[Glen Helen, Isle of Man|Glen Helen]] during the early 1960s accompanied by a road widening programme at [[Greeba Bridge]].

There were six fatalities among the competitors at the [[1970 Isle of Man TT]], including world championship contender [[Santiago Herrero]], making 1970 the deadliest year in the history of the event.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/worlds-fastest-death-cult-the-most-dangerous-race-on-the-planet/news-story/e1a4b17cc4e577ba79737a64da501dbc |title=World's fastest way to die: The most dangerous race on the planet |publisher=news.com.au |access-date=31 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/679077/Two-deaths-Isle-of-Man-TT-Festival-five-toll |title=Two more deaths take Isle of Man TT Festival toll to five |publisher=express.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2017 }}</ref> Further road safety work during the winter of 1970/1971 road-widening occurred at the Verandah series of bends and also at the [[Bungalow Bridge]] by the Isle of Man Highway Board cutting into the hillside.<ref>''Isle of Man Weekly Times'' page 1 dated 6 January 1971</ref><ref>''TT News 2006&nbsp;– Preview Edition'' page 2 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2006) Johnson Press Publishing ISSN 1471-7905</ref> Despite the safety improvements to the Verandah section, while lying in first place on the second lap during the [[1972 Isle of Man TT]] 125&nbsp;cc [[Ultra-Lightweight TT]] race held in heavy rain, [[Gilberto Parlotti]] crashed his 125&nbsp;cc [[Morbidelli]] at the Verandah and later died from his injuries.<ref>''Mona's Herald'' page 4 Tuesday 13 June 1972</ref> From 1973, any weather conditions that would not allow a rescue helicopter to take-off or land would lead to the race start being delayed or postponed at any TT or Manx Grand Prix race.<ref>''Italian Racing Motor-Cycles'' by Mick Walker page 147 (1999)(1st Edition) Redline Books {{ISBN|09531311-14}}</ref>

The A2 [[Quarterbridge Road]] including the road junctions at Selborne Drive and Brunswick Drive and the A2 [[Bray Hill]] were subjected to major road repairs and re-profiling during the winter of 1978/79 by the Isle of Man Highway Board. This followed a series of fatal accidents during the start of the 1978 Sidecar TT 'A' race, to the Swiss sidecar competitor Ernst Trachsel on Quarterbridge Road, and the sidecar crew of Mac Hobson & Kenny Birch on nearby [[Bray Hill]].<ref>'' Motor Cycle Weekly'' page 1, 2 & 13 IPC Press and Professional Publications Ltd (1978) Saturday 10 June 1978</ref> For the 1979 TT races the practice of starting competitors in pairs was abandoned followed by the Manx Grand Prix in 2011 after the result of fatal crash at [[Alpine Cottage]] during the 2010 Junior Manx Grand Prix.

[[File:Manx grand prix 2010 1823.JPG|thumb|Competitors at the [[TT Grandstand]] waiting for the start of the Newcomers Speed Control Lap (denoted by Hi-Visibility orange [[tabard]]s) for the 2010 Manx Grand Prix]]
Following a fatal accident to French newcomer Serge le Moal during the first practice session of the [[2004 Isle of Man TT]] races,<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 3 Monday 1 June 2004</ref> a Newcomers Speed Control Lap was introduced for the 2004 Manx Grand Prix followed by the 2005 TT races. A mandatory TT Mountain Course licence for Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix competitors was introduced for 2006. During the winter of 2004/2005 road widening by the Isle of Man Department of Transport occurred at [[Windy Corner, Isle of Man|Windy Corner]] followed by [[Brandish Corner]] during the winter of 2005/2006, included a slightly banked section and a constant radius curve as a safety improvement for general road traffic.<ref>''TT News 2006 – Preview Edition'' page 2 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2006) Johnson Press Publishing ISSN 1471-7905</ref> A serious accident occurred at the [[26th Milestone, Isle of Man|26th Milestone]] during the [[2007 Isle of Man TT]] Centenary races on lap 5 of the [[Senior TT|Senior race]] resulting in the deaths of a competitor and two visiting spectators.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'' page 1 Monday 12 June 2007 – Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd ISSN 1358-4383</ref>

After a series of safety reviews, a number of general  measures were introduced after 2007 for the Isle of Man TT races and the Manx Grand Prix and other events such as the [[Southern 100]] motor-cycle races and the [[Rally Isle of Man]].  This included the  introduction of restricted areas, safety fencing and the continued introduction of air-fencing to corners to the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. Following the start of the 2013 Senior TT race, a competitor lost control on the steep descent of Bray Hill and the racing motor-cycle  collided with a wall and spectators' safety area near the junction of Bray Hill and Cronkbourne Road in the town of Douglas, injuring 11 spectators.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 1, 4 & 55 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2013) Johnston Press Publishing&nbsp;– Sheffield Web Monday 10 June 2013</ref><ref>''Manx Independent&nbsp;– Manninagh Seyr'' pages 1 & 3  Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2013) Johnston Press Publishing&nbsp;– Newsprinters (Knowsley) Ltd Thursday 13 June 2013</ref>  During an evening practice session for the [[2018 Isle of Man TT]],  a race competitor received serious injuries after colliding with a course inspection car near to [[Ballacrye Corner]] in Ballaugh parish when travelling in a group of race competitors in the reverse course direction.  The incident occurred  following a red-flag incident near Sky Hill (Churchtown) after a fatal accident to Isle of Man competitor, Dan Kneen.<ref>''Isle of Man Courier – Roieder Ellan Vannin'' pages 1, 2 & 40 Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2018) Tindle Newspaper Group – Newsprint (Knowlsey) Ltd  Friday 1 June 2018</ref> Following a meeting of the Strategic Motorsport Group organised by the Isle of Man Government, the Clerk of Course announced procedural changes to red flag incidents.  Competitors would now wait on the course until the incident had been cleared and only travel in '' 'course direction' '' accompanied by TT Travelling Marshals at the front and rear of the convoy.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 1 & 4 WHAT WENT SO WRONG ? INQUIRY INTO MERCER CRASH  Tuesday 5 June 2018  – Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2018) Newsprint (Knowsley) Ltd  ISSN 1358-4383 "Mercer: What went so wrong ? How the Flags Work."</ref> After a further legal review by the ACU in 2018 into the cause of the accident and the collision with a course inspection car a  number of safety changes were initiated. This included the creation of a new event safety officer and GPS tracking to be fitted to all course inspection cars.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner&nbsp;– Brialtagh Ellan Vannin'' page 1 & 4 Changes after Mercer Crash Tuesday 23 April 2019  – Isle of Man Newspapers Ltd (2019) Newsprint (Knowsley) Ltd  ISSN 1358-4383</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Isle of Man TT Mountain Course fatalities]]
*[[Isle of Man TT Races]]
*[[Manx Grand Prix]]
*[[Clypse Course]]
*[[St. John's Short Course]]

==Sources==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons|Snaefell mountain course|Isle of Man TT Mountain Course}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014213619/http://iomtt.com/TT-2008/Circuit-Guide.aspx Circuit Guide] with [[Steve Hislop]], 11 times TT winner
* [http://www.iomguide.com/races/tt/tt-maps.php 2D and 3D Maps of the TT Course]
{{Mountain Course}}
{{Isle of Man Racing Circuits}}
{{MotoGP circuits}}
{{Sidecar World Championship circuits}}

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[[Category:Grand Prix motorcycle circuits]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in the Isle of Man|Isle of Man]]
[[Category:Isle of Man TT| ]]