🏍️ Isle of Man TT: A Dangerous Addiction | Al Jazeera Correspondent

my name is Simon McGregor wood my life choices are based on safe options I know my limits and I stay well within them I bought a racing motorcycle a year ago it isn't legal to ride it on the road so although I don't actually race it I pay to take it on two tracks for the thrill of going fast I love this private world where the concerns of everyday life are left behind I know this exposes me to an increased level of danger but I have never believed it to be life-threatening but there are some people who take this to a different level all together I saw a video this kind of thing a few years ago and I couldn't believe getting wrong roundly here in them nine times out of ten you dead and I suppose it looked like the most dangerous thing I had ever seen people I said though we've got a death wish but what do they do what do they do it is a very dangerous place why on earth did they do it I was such a thing even allowed to happen in this safety obsessed world I became fascinated I needed some incredible human stories must lie beneath the surface and I knew I needed to know more I'm in Liverpool in the northwest of England and already there is the promise of a perfect British summit I'm about to take a three hour ferry ride to Douglas the capital of the Isle of Man year after year in late May more than 25,000 people make this journey to the small island in the middle of the Irish Sea about 70 kilometers off the English coast and while English may be the islands official language significantly this is not part of the United Kingdom as its own Parliament and its own laws the biggest thrill in the road racing calendar gets underway with 31 Ace is pushing off for the Isle of Man TT one of those laws from 1905 a commission from motor racing on the public road setting a cracking pace at an average of nearly 80 miles an hour the TT short for tourist trophy became the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world slowing up on the turns can you imagine what his top speeds must be it also became the most dangerous uncomfortably dangerous for the International motorcycle racing authorities in 1977 they removed the TT from the Motorcycle Grand Prix calendar the TT has claimed almost 150 lives in its 105 year history and has been described as a twisted mongrel of an event that splits opinion divides families and wrecks lives and yet it is still considered to be the last great motorcycle race there is nothing else like it in the world I want to know why the riders take such a huge risk what kind of people they are you can't take any drops in the world that give you what you get round here I want to know what this race does to them their families and their friends what is it all about would you stop off the boat you say right we're here and that said that you get your laid up and say win or lose the thing about the TT is it's just two weeks all about bikes just that's it it's just everything is bikes nothing else matters you need your fix you need got to have it you've got out of it that you've just got have on going over it again there's not many people dawn don't come back after they've tried it once they this is just nothing comes close right love that I've tried lots of stuff and nothing comes close to this did you live without it but without the TT No I'm anxious about this trip on average between one and two riders die every year at the TT the chances are that I'll witness something awful I tried to put that from my mind as I settle down for my first night on the Isle of Man arriving in the paddock I'm struck by the informality the relaxed atmosphere of the place paddocks are normally off-limits to all that team members and their guests adhere it's always been different stars and fans mingle together there's an intimacy that you won't find in the regulated worlds of MotoGP or Formula one close to these guys are amateurs with full-time jobs world away from that megabucks have drawn Prix racing and for them this is a very expensive business there is no such thing as cheap racing to bring all the trucks on Sat the whole thing up hotels may use expanses panel mechanics wages and you wouldn't have money to change out of 50 or 60,000 that's been great honestly any form of motor racing or motorsport is very expensive if you can't look if you can't afford it you can't do it I won't go on forever doing what I'm doing was I don't want to be treated as some sort of silly old man who's just great jump only added I wouldn't want to be considered as that but I wouldn't consider myself to be a fool if I thought it was from stop tomorrow I mean we I need a good sponsor John Ingram is a privateer he doesn't ride for one of the big teams not yet anyway this is his first TT and without a Hector kneel or Wilson Craig behind him needs to find a funding but his TT dream himself the sponsors that I've got from the local butchers to the convenience store and and just general friends are just throwing you know 250 quid in a and then before you know it you're coming with enough money to do the Barnett for the past 27 years since he was a ten-year-old school boy John has been racing successfully both on the track and in motocross national championships he turns up victories expected he needs a bigger challenge during the TT is something that pulls me and as a little fish in a big pond which is which is where I think I like you know I like to go in under the radar and maybe you know if I get a decent achievement out of this it's better than going winning it up you know five or six high-level races that I'm expected to win John's friends mark and Josh have come with him a two week unpaid sacrifice to be his pit crew and they already have a problem the bike is returned to the garage that John is sharing this good friend Gary Johnson this is a big problem at the moment John's bike will not steer properly and unless they can fix this in the time available they won't be able to practice the bike is stripped down and with barely enough time to spare before it must be officially inspected Gary passes on some of the expertise that helped him to his first TT victory in 2011 this is not the ideal beginning for John but the running repair all they can do at this stage is expected to work it has to everyone mocks in to fix it I can't believe how calm bill remain because me in this situation my stress level will be going through the roof clearly they have the better approach this is a standard part or something that you've modified for their number two to date an aftermarket part okay looks like it should have come with a different not right as the bike is taken away for its official inspection John continues to benefit from his years of friendship with Gary the experienced rider talks the novice to the twists and turns of this long complicated and unforgiving course one apex to apex Gary's helped me a lot easy sort of second count a similar sort of level to me on the circuit racing you know you get what you get with John exactly what you see in a fog you know eyes a square guy I can get on with him and says look if you need any help a lo bien he's made the mistakes Renault's what setups don't work in all the bits that's going to catch you out and for him to give me that information it's almost like it's fast forwarded my TT career by three years shall we set he'll say and don't wash the flies off the fur engine you know take the ferns off because if you take the ferns off you'll know if you've got any oil leaks if you wash the ferns on the by with all the flies off you wash the oil off and you're none the wiser little things like that I'm hoping to do well the TT and run up the front one day that's that's that's a dream it's just a burning burning feeling inside that you feel like you've got to go on go on give it a shot meanwhile over in the scrutineering Bay there is no margin for error and nothing is left to chance which is just as well it's one loose screw could cost a lot you know you can't help but feel a little bit nervous something that's just natural and good knots not bad news no good nerves I mean you know a brace backs for a lot of years not obviously on the roads so I can sort of control the nerves to a certain extent but yeah I'm looking looking forward to you know what it's gonna look like even though I'm a little bit nervous as well you know the TT grandstand perfect conditions are good all around the circuit reported with the newcomer session will begin shortly Ryder liaison officer and former TT winner milky quail has some final words of advice for John not fueling to get two laps born and brought up just down the road from the start line the TT zone milkie's blood he's one of only three native Manxman to win a TT without the TT I think I'd probably be lying in the gutter somewhere and being an alcoholic or drug addict or something like that I try to be getting me bulls from somewhere else I think in 2003 milkie's addiction Oh milky quietly damn yo and then the next thing I just remember waking up in hospital and all these faces above me and I'm thinking oh my goodness this is a big one so and that's that's all I can literally remember I watch the pictures on the telly and I just think oh that looks a nasty one I remember breaking this left femur here and I was lying face down and my leg was here my ankle was here and I'm thinking I've definitely broken this you know this isn't looking good milky no longer competes but letting go of the TT altogether is not something that has ever occurred to him I love the TT is the ultimate motorcycle race in the world so I want it to grow and flourish and be brilliant no so I'll do anything in my way to to help that succeed whether it means sweeping the road or empty in the bins or you know taken during this round and I'll do anything now his major contribution to the event is acclimatizing the newcomers to the course you come via hothead you know I tell all my newcomers you ride the TT course with this not with this you know you use your head not your heart the e-commerce of the circuit this year are hopefully going to be the winners on the circuit in three to four years time you know they are there they are the future of the TT so again because I'm passionate about the TT I want to pass on my experience it's the hardest most dangerous trick in the world to learn and ride first thing you must do is enjoy the race and enjoy the circuit the course is 37 and 3/4 miles long more than 60 kilometers it's lined with curbs lampposts houses trees and granite walls it runs through towns and villages through the countryside and Rises four hundred and thirty meters over the mountain in the middle of the island and unlike a dedicated racing circuit it has no safe runoff areas I thought I'd be excited to see John Ingram go off when his first lap but as he approaches the line I realized despite having met him only today that I'm more worried than anything else he's gonna leave a second group away we're with number 85 is about to go there on the Superbike yeah that's a yeah this John England where there Jamie Hamilton next to him I'll grit my teeth clenched my fists and attempt to hold my breath for nearly 20 minutes he is lost far corners of the island just about to go there now all hiding down Bray Hill we are on the way just after 7:00 the course will push him to the threshold of his abilities this exhilarating journey will appear to hear my short to be over in seconds I'm not bothered about being the fastest ever you come all I want to do is have a good sure the biggest thing for me is enjoying it and get getting all in one piece John's bike makes it back to the garage before he does like many races he keeps his soft side to himself his priority now is a private call to his wife Tracy back home he's fulfilled the first part of his TT dream and he wants her to be the first to name how'd it go John yeah you're right bit lost he got lost you made a wrong turn no not going huh no but you know I think I played it too and play safe I never scared myself once I'm I just you know I sleep on that now and then try and try and move on but you know a the front let's do it let's just just just be on me at this point everyone has had a day off to recover John Ingram and the other novices regroup on Monday morning now that they've proven themselves capable of riding the course they will for the first time be riding on the circuit with the Stars living legends of TT racer John's wife Traci's joined him on the island and becomes a vital member of his support group the big teams get involved for the first time one of the biggest stars is John McGinnis who's won more races than any other living rider my first tea T IME came to was 96 and you're riding around thinking this shouldn't happen we should be in jail you know it's like elite legally speeding if you like you know and it's yeah I mean justice there's nothing like in the world sports biggest maverick is guy Martin he speaks his mind and his eccentric personality was made him a favorite of the fans even though he's yet to win a race they'll come he'll come he's no program God God waits a time fitting there any of them boys and really I saw a life of advice of it because that is all I've got that's all the way you just reach more advice I don't do anything else rosamma truck mechanic I'll go back and I'll just fix long as it's only my orbit he's racing more lines believe it or not I like a Raider with a better person all day so many you can speak to your you can take him to a prayer sing and he's got something to say which we don't belittle gay you he just says no ring murder has amazed he just says it but for some reason people love that everybody wants to know what's going through his brain yeah I'm definitely not I'm Stephen Hawking's Amma I don't think I could get by just by five massive wealth of the universe knowledge nope you don't get on man under pressure it just doesn't get on proprietor as a truck fell and I won't make it will need more energy just gay Martin's gay Martin and they once it were it just hasn't had the look when you push in the back of that it he can go you don't end it here yeah you wouldn't yeah you wouldn't you get in that sort that frame of mind and that bit of his own you wouldn't think anything can go wrong it's all oh yeah when everything's going well yeah yeah you just everything comes easy you know yeah there is no negative thoughts Ont read no you'd never think this could happen to you dear that's that's the thing you know you never think that anything's gonna happen to you you know you're just thinking of instable out there invincibility um yes what you do suppose you just think yeah there are five grueling days of hard practice ahead before racing begins 85 riders will compete for one of the 70 starting places that are available day after day the riders and their teams return to the track to fine-tune the setup of their bikes the decisions taken during the remainder of the week will have an enormous influence over what will happen during the races here we go here we go these men are obsessed with tire choices brake pads gear ratios and all sorts of things that it would never occur to me to adjust my own machine 12 is less obvious we're here to one we're here to win we haven't managed it yet but that's why we're here it is seductive exciting and scary all at the same time don't ruin the other it's like anything with smooth yeah torture on don't do the $70 practice time is valuable John Ingram makes the most what is available the temperature is dropping we all feel it and notice the weather is beginning to close in I'm freezing ago teams begin to retire their riders from the session and everyone's thoughts go out to those still to return the practice session is red flag John is still out on the circuit conditions are deteriorating rapidly come on John Ingram smother it can be saw visit 10 minutes ago and then ten minutes after it's ty a zone seconds feel like ours boy say yeah say anything the week has been fun thus far but this is a sharp reminder of just how quickly things can change on the mountain course I think you're the last one back cuz you you were the last one to go before they went flat dirt because of the mist I misled you back in one piece by the end of the first week practice has finished qualifying times have been set the racing begins in earnest John Ingram has made the cut just the 69th out of 70 qualifiers he will be allowed to race there'll be six races in total the Solo motorcycles culminating in the blue ribbon to vent the senior the TT races Holy Grail all of the races are important of course but for most riders and team owners it's the senior TT that matters that's the main one the biggest bikes prototype machines and production races pitted against one another it is the fastest most powerful race of the TT fortnight that is the one they want to win LeMond TT I want I want to see you I deal with life like boxes to tick when I take those boxes I move on to the next box sitting and to win a senior TT has been a box that's needed ticking for about the past seven years now seven years I told my boss actor says you know we were gonna win this senior so when we win that I say I'm backing it I want to win more I want to win one I keep throughout another there ever wind senior TT again I would walk away front I've done a while I could do it or not but a tikka Weaver a corn but you're gonna have to do it you just can't go on forever more everyone here wants to win the senior this year they're all in for an unpleasant and unprecedented surprise race week has arrived at last yeah okay let's go after you and for John Ingram this is one of the biggest moments of his motorcycle racing career he may have more than 200 race wins and hold the outright lap record at a national circuit this is different this is his first ever TT race Harry Harlan I just spoke to the webinar visibility in improving on the mountain session of the course we are advised that it will be a lot clearer in half an hour on his budget he can't bring a bike of every class for each category of racing but there are three races for which is 1,000 cc bike is eligible the Superstock the senior and this the Superbike TT each race will give the winning rider approximately $30,000 might sound like a lot but the taxman will have a large slice as I've been told this is an expensive business to break even a rider on even a modest budget would need to win at least two races the big team owners like Hector Neal riders like John McGinnis they need to win them all now when we lift that trophy and that you see the families all up they all smiling and smiling you know it's sped the bills for a while as well cuz you know you gotta pay the bills and we're on the line and it's a yes pretty special moment the race will be run over a distance of 364 kilometers six laps of the court that's like going from Rio to San Paulo Los Angeles to Las Vegas when on Penn to Ho Chi Minh and Beyond or from Warsaw to pretty much anywhere else in Poland it will take around 2 hours to complete during which time the riders will stop twice for fuel tires and refreshment with 70 riders competing for space on a public road it is simply too dangerous to have a mass start from a grid here racing is against the clock of the TT next off is number three guy Barton the riders depart at 10-second intervals as they do Josh and Mark joined now by their friend big Phil do their best to keep the tires warm while shuffling slowly pause until finally it is John's turn to take the terrifying run down to the corner at the bottom of rain lot mate take it easy job times I would go to the lane and I would talk to the boys because you know you might never see them again hombre house special I suppose for as definitely yo you go up over the top of Holland you could die now yes rush just gone down to that bomb as as something special if they're on their own on the road I just listened to the side of the engine I don't know they'll go through there safely you can't you stay listen you can hear the different revs to stuff library held it up they're going up the other side so you know you know the tree it's a believer not years ago what happened about nerves about it today wants to fly the bikes heads off down Bray Hill I just relax on a walk down to the pit and stander and all I think about them is the pit stops been done right John Ingram's pit stop however is probably the furthest thing from his thoughts as he wrestles his powerful motorbike around the course at speeds of up to 320 km/h the level of concentration is definitely hundred percent all the way around John Ingram and a couple of newcomers that they'll be tired they'll be aching they'll be stiff because they'll be holding on too hard you know they'll be great in the teeth a lot and holding on because I'm not sure where they are the pit stops are where races are won and lost as quicker stop as possible for fuel maybe a rear wheel is essential well I've been doing pets for years the TT and know exactly what you have to do for things to be ready I got high load me Mason give it a little I'll come at you from the outside walk in anything we're all crackers yeah you thought you for think I was nice all calculated so couple minutes one comes in will just turn so Crown Lord remembers doing yeah they might run two of the best teams at the TT but owners Wilson Craig and Hector Neal approach the task from opposite ends of the spectrum was it's very lovely I like to be harms on or not there because I'm keeping the guys calm but I'm just well I'm just putting on Powder late but sunset so Shelly buddy could put part on either you want to comment that your update three seconds off sir I don't like throw my weight apart I'm the boss of this team I don't keep a dog and bark myself and you know they're a pain boys for that job and that's what they want to do you know these these mechanics want to do this they look forward to doing as I step down and done something you know Dave would not be happy so I left me get on with it they feel better you know for the outside looking in you do think they're all nutters the moment has arrived for John England's mates to make their TT penstock debut neutral yong-chol put in neutral young for teaming contention for podium place time is of the essence but for Josh mark and big Phil they just need to get John and the bike safely out onto the circuit again their focus is on setting respectable lap times John McGinnis notches up TT win number 18 the winner John Ingram meanwhile continues his quest to set his fastest lap time by the time he crosses the line the champagne is already flowing John is 35th it's a respectable result especially considering he qualified 69th but he's despondent and I'm not sure that he's aware of the positives well duh how many didn't many with a lot more experience in banking that you fell out yeah it's good to bring it home yeah of course it is your first tee tee well done yeah I'll do that naively I'd expected John to be elated but it became clear whilst he recovered that the races instinct is always to do that there is some good news as he strolls back to the motor home the official times are released and John's fastest lap was a hundred and eighty six km/h only nine short of his goal and he still has two more races in which to achieve tt relies on a dedicated tribe of 35,000 enthusiasts of whom around 1,400 play an active role each year despite their bright orange attire to go largely unnoticed by the regular fans but they are essential to everyone's safety they are a fine cross-section of individuals from the most capable Marshall Medical to someone who's here on a bit of a holiday but unless 560 of them are in position even the bravest or the craziest rider wouldn't take to the course and the TT would not exist last time at the TT you kind of involved they feel I evolved in it and you get to view at places where you can't spectate from all right you've got to work for it and if anything goes wrong you've got to clean it up that I just enjoy doing a hey feel like you involved in part of the setup I think you get nothing for it you give up your time and lots love it you know it costs a lot of money to get it costs a lot of money while you here there's there's no real benefit to being a marshal apart from you get to view in a few places that are restricted and then of course if it goes wrong you gotta clean up the aftermath 2011 when he was marshalling for the first time che O'Connell experienced the worst of what happens when it goes wrong the bike a dry stone wall exploded completely exploded and the rider went off into the trees yeah that was a fatal but within 40 minutes it was all cleaned up from the racing was back home you know the it's a kind of the show must go on kind of thing but you can't leave him in there Kenya somebody's got Stu you know the guy that we saw that had died didn't linger along in a bed dying of some unmentionable disease in a woman it he was doing something absolutely loved and the next second he was gone the danger is always a consideration someone said to me one day if this sport was safe he wouldn't do it very wrong manlier in them nine times out of ten you dead and I suppose there's not many things left in life where you can do that now is it is it well you can you can you name one good yeah it's danger part can you can you name another go on name another another thing where you can go out there and forget it wrong you're dead in a sport I don't think that's an attraction for me I'm not buzzing from the danger of it cuz that's not in my you know here's some other riders in the say yeah push me I'm on the wall and I'm buzzing moat if I brush me I'm on the wall I've been thinking well I'll be a foot the other way net is what you know what I mean I also as we all do for different reasons but the main reason for me to and it is the danger I want to succeed yeah if you want for the danger if warm for the danger that I got out of it and the buzz that I go out Alan there is a dark side to the titi from which no one can hide death rides on everyone's shoulder here and even the greatest are not immune should he make that final call in 2003 that TTS brightest star was David Jeffries he was well on his way to surpassing the achievements of all who had gone before him when we lost David Jeffries at the TT I said to the guys look I am finished let's pack that whole show up and that's headed here I settled in Ephraim will repay Chris so what sort of rallied ourselves and just close to kiss up for away and them I said Dave and thought what will we do here and the mechanic saw says up to you boss you make a decision so I just say tada I'll have a gourd and really inaudible was raiding us as David's team in an even he wasn't affirming all on the senior me what he said he what you're on the podium he says that was for David Jeffries apples them you never get used to it that feeling that when you lose somebody like that but it's something that I think we're just selfish and selfish pie traces and we just tend to sweep it under the carpet you know it's different for people who have never been involved in its we you only just see as if you're just throwing your life away but however you know I'm a Exchange Server I just you know you're all gonna die so no kind of worrying about it you know as long as you enjoy yourself and you know I don't think of it out there you know I've been here for a week and a half will soon be time for the second race the Super Sport and I'm feeling a little uneasy watching people take enormous risks day after day and yet I'm still drawn to it in much the same way as I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off someone walking a high wire or wrestling a crocodile Gary Johnson's bike is prepared and ready but with around half an hour to go before the race there is no sign of Gary he's taken refuge in the garage somber and withdrawn clearly focusing on the task ahead I don't feel like I can approach him I'm not the only one who can't get close I bump into his mother and father Sue and Trev they're also aware the need to give him space if I do see him at all just go go it'll just be good luck go steady you've come for the race but all you're waiting for is for it to end I'll be honest I'm probably pretty cold with him whilst we're at the TT I Palmas and a word from everybody he came to the line John McGinnis had two left gloves and that's one minute to the star the race road conditions good all-round life winds and high clouds which is absolutely fantastic used for these 600 super machines if you're not in the ground stand if you're listening to the radio all that scary Johnson across the line that's all you're waiting for I just want to see him back you'll see that he's finished the race now Gary Johnson I invite myself to the grandstand to watch the race beside Gary's mum still Gary leading and just over two seconds ago you were pretty much out from those rocks you see that gap has dementia it's going well for Gary by the time of his pitstop he's in second place you know it's Gary Johnson and there's a Gary Johnson fuel cap on yeah I can still boys you go and turn to the vineyard and Gary am I going to leave together but Michaels machine as the other riders start for fuel Gary's position improves Suzanne xiety is steadily increasing and I'm feeling - I do my best to break the ice do you think he has any idea how close but it's all going to be revealed now it's a lead but only by point four zero of a second for Gary Johnson is number 80 under listen to myself after holding the lead for short while Gary suddenly starts to slip back down the leaderboard Gary's in third I'm waiting to hear sure I don't think I could have sat there waiting for my child to come back safely the riders begin to cross the finish line there's no sign of Gary check camera doll and McGinnis they're all food Ronnie Mona and Anstey is increasing his lead run is now 1.3 second was very seconds Mona with one and a half miles of racing young to come contrary we're going to be putting the stop watches on Cameron Donald he started ten seconds ahead of Bruce Anstey Gary Johnson is now six seconds down so clearly some difficulty for Gary Busey Linda and the Australian that's the shape of it the two Honda machines is he good speed or dizzy start the stopwatch and now can Bruce get here in Lester but Gary doesn't cross them and I really am beginning to worry about what might have happened this has stopped being fun see you later sir sue heads off in search of more information and I'm deeply worried there have been no announcements and as I know that is how organizers play it when there's been a serious incident as the winners spray their champagne I find it hard to share their enjoyment it was still no sign of Gary and no word of what happened - I was beginning to fear the words well we can't but obviously the story is still to be told about what has happened to Gary Johnson because Gary has yet to finish of course he was leading the race a ripple of applause begins to swirl at the other end of the pit lane it is Gary he is back nursing his bike over the line under his own steam so clearly a story to be told there and it's gonna be a hard luck story as well what happens do we know yet yeah I haven't talked to him again yet he's just come back you want to interfere with him but it's looking like what I'm picking up that it's run out of fuel he's running out of petrol very frustrating the great thing is to see him that must have been impossible the sense if y'all extremely yet extremely delivering those ya must be proud of me the Superstock race was next it was won by John McGinnis who's first in this category and his 19th overall John Ingram was 46th worryingly for him his fastest lap was down by 2 km/h from the one that he set in the Superbike race might not sound like much but it is not a move in the right direction the senior TT may be his last chance to shine but the weather has turned it has caused the main race to be delayed by a day the big teams are the racing commitments and ferry spaces already booked have to depart leaving behind only what is essential the skies are clearing and the mood in the paddock now looking sparse is improving it looks like racing will go ahead after all except but it doesn't the announcement comes of a delay in the start time the Sun might be shining but the track is still very wet in parts sometimes hard to remember that the weather can be fine in one part of the course it's severe teams continue to prepare and the bikes are taken to the start area as usual it's becoming increasingly frustrating the roads remain open and there is still no word of the race taking place I went out on a road bike to have a look myself to satisfy my own curiosity to begin with everything seemed fine and frankly it was hard to understand why the race wasn't going ahead but then I honestly couldn't believe how quickly the conditions deteriorated this was unpleasant enough on a road bike I couldn't imagine being in control of a powerful racing machine in these conditions by the time I reached the mountain section well you can see for yourselves just how bad it was back in the paddock an announcement is made but not officially see if we can get a word Johnny canny any word you can give us well I'm pretty sure you there will be no senior ace okay well that's religious off the press and Charlie wasn't sure whether you could get that information that we do appreciate not officially told milky quails collie titi racer John Barton has released the news to the local radio reporter before it's official you can't take the bikes out and just run it from control cannot remove your machine this is ear straight cannot renew your machine upon the dog come on the senior TT has never ever been canceled and there is a brief period of tense confusion until Race Control confirms what many cannot believe unbelievably the senior TT has been canceled for the first time in the tourist trophies 105 year history but this year the dream is over Oh John must be very frustrating for you yeah be it was one of them on it I was never gonna go out there and put and put a fast lap together in them conditions and that psychic I was looking for I'm just looking at this TT to try and get hundred twenty mile an hour because I think it was rolled on come wrong cuz a lot of Lud's they're looking at winning it and more of the lads who were looking at winning how is it affecting them their Davos didn't believe it game art was just Charlotte our big chance was here and the senior teen he has not won a hum I didn't go all right Matt here with the singer well sister this man says he's so upset he might not come back next year I don't believe him do you believe it I want to give me a job nations will come here to win we said we're off we went we've done nothing like every we've done over top so sad big auntie all UNIX would you have gone out in that you don't know if you're doing done if you don't if we ever got out in that after the race I went away invited I would have told him so I said I should've gone um well now I'm gonna drive home well I can I've got for our ferry in a three-hour drive oh I'm going to be sick the whole way home oh there was raised I've been when race it's Wednesday I'm going I came here two weeks ago with their love of motorcycle racing but with the curiosity as to why anyone would risk their life for it and what did they tell me that they are addicted to danger that there is a need to risk all for the greater satisfaction of surviving it isn't a death wish it's about living I do believe that the men and women who do this are special from the outside it's about breathtaking speed and noise and jaw-dropping incredulous for those who don't understand why it's about unacceptable risk and irresponsibility from the inside it's about a personal challenge taken with eyes wide open it's about split-second decisions and bottomless reserves of strength it's about facing up to danger in return for a death-defying experience it's about accepting the ultimate challenge that any of us face the TT is about living life to the full my director David and I both know what it means when it goes wrong I had a bad motorcycle crash 10 years ago I don't know what happened I woke in hospital thankfully without serious injury David however was a little more unfortunate he's back on the Isle of Man for the first time since he rode in the lap of honor in 1998 he got it wrong he's very lucky to be here today you you

Channel: Al Jazeera English

Views: 4,079,643

Keywords: Dangerous Addiction, david niblock, Isle of Man, isle of man, Dangerous, formula one, aljazeera english, al jazeera live, Grand Prix, aljazeera, Isle of Man TT, motor racing, auto racing, william dunlop, al jazeera, grand prix gtp, motor racing games, auto racing crashes, grand prix driver, grand prix long beach, motorcycle race, motogp, sports vines, motor racing kids, sports science, sports fails, sports fury, grand prix gxp, sportscenter top 10, motor racing 2018

Id: g8J6s7qSUbY

Length: 48min 9sec (2889 seconds)

Published: Fri Nov 02 2012

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[u/[deleted]]

"It isn't a death wish...it's about living"-my new favorite motorcycle quote

[u/[deleted]]

Fantastic. This should be reposted more often :)

[u/me_groovy]

36:23, my mates next to the fence. I was further up at the bridge and didn't get in :(

[u/motophiliac]

Saving the shit out of this.

Looks really good.

[u/noiplah]

That was one of the best things I've ever seen about motorbike racing, fantastic doco. But why the fuck end it with footage of an accident, seriously :\ such a downer

[u/iliketoking]

I didn't know this was a repost and I've never seen it, so this is amazing I learned so much and it was really interesting I literally watched the whole thing!

[u/ThomasMc1337]

I can't watch anything about the TT without tearing up a bit. According to wikipedia, as of '09 there has been 239 Rider Deaths on the Snaefell Mountain Course (including Manx GP races) since 1911. That works out to about 2.4 deaths per year. It's the last seriously dangerous sport left, really.

[u/Bubbah_Shrimp]

Repost!.... but hey, cant blame ya, its so inspiring