Since it was celebrated, 260 participants have lost their lives.
The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is one of the most difficult and dangerous motor competitions held in the world. The 2022 edition, which takes place after two years without racing on this British island due to COVID-19, is being really tragic, with the death of three participants in five days.
The TT has been held for more than a century, specifically since 1907, which gives it a historical character capable of attracting the most daring pilots, who dare to face a 60-kilometer route on roads closed to traffic. In it, 300 km/h are exceeded, but nobody can be careless, since it runs between walls, rocks and guardrails.
This race became part of the Motorcycle World Championship, but the lack of security measures and the high speeds caused the riders to demand that the British Grand Prix be held on a circuit, such as Silverstone.
In its 115-year history, 260 participants have lost their lives. The last ones, just a few days ago. Mark Purslow, a 29-year-old Superbike rider, died during the fourth qualifying session of the 2022 Isle of Man TT after suffering a fall. On Saturday, an accident in the sidecar category took the life of 35-year-old Frenchman Olivier Lavorel.
The other member of Sidecar, César Chanel, was taken to Aintree hospital in critical condition, where he has remained ever since.
The third tragic accident took place this Monday, during the Supersport category test. The experienced Davy Morgan, who entered the Isle of Man for the first time 20 years ago, suffered an accident at the end of the race. He had been on the verge of retiring before this edition, but at the last moment he decided to re-enroll. He was 52 years old.
1st place @peterhickman60 overtakes 3rd place @DaveyTodd74 down the Brandish@RL360_group #IoMTT #TTLive #TT2022 #TTSuperstock #RL360Superstock pic.twitter.com/fO88IRF4uh
— Isle of Man TT Races (@ttracesofficial) June 6, 2022
All the pilots who take part in the Isle of Man TT know the danger that is hidden in each kilometer of the route. They have lived, in situ, the death of other participants who tried to overcome one of the great challenges of motorcycling.
The driver with the most victories in the Isle of Man is Joey Dunlop, who achieved 26 victories in the Tourist Trophy; he died in a race in Tallinn (Estonia) in 2000 when he was leading. At the top of the list of winners in this tough competition is John McGuiness with 23 wins and Michael Dunlop (Joey’s nephew), with 20.
The 2022 edition of the Isle of Man will end on June 10.
