Chasing sidecars

   You wait for ages, then 3 come at once


Not just motorbikes, sidecars are a big part of the two week race event.  Not always 3 in a line, though I have seen 4 sidecars, 2 side by side, pass this corner. Also seen many breakdown here. Taken from the back alley of Taubman street. If you're quick enough to pan the camera you'll capture the wingman hanging off the back. Or 3 of them in this case.

The Central

                          Fancy a pint


One of best places in Ramsey to watch or photograph the TT races from is this corner on Parliament Square and Leazayre Road,The Central pub,  Undoubtedly the busiest pub in town during the two week race period due to it's prime location (and great staff ) with an outside seating area out rear entrance and the front pictured right on course side. Get in early for that pint though or you'll have a long wait.

Closer to the edge......

                                                              ........of the seat
 

Nothing like being prepared and doing things in style. It's a long wait if you get there early. Park yourself opposite the pubs and next to the takeaway joints and bask (or bake in leathers on a hot day) in the sunshine. 


Isle of Man TT 2015

The Photographers

                            Got it

The white bibs indicate these guys are part of the official photographers of varied media publications you'll find around the course. Positioned in front of the safety barriers along the course, or in this case, in front of the cordoned off Swan Pub. Bibs are usually numbered individually, except the year when everyone bore the number 001, printed in error. That would be this one then. 


Parliament Square, Ramsey, Isle of Man TT 2013

En route to the Hairpin

                         On my way.....


.....upwards to the Hairpin, Ramsey.  That was the plan, to capture evening practice from the top as the bikes turn through the Hairpin. Somehow this became stop and swap lenses for a different view. Practice week for the bikes and photographers. View from (almost) the top,


Isle of Man TT 2015

Bananaman

         Must be Mad Sunday.........


.......where fancy dress isn't compulsory to ride the TT course, on race day off but it all adds to the fun. Bananaman was closely followed by, Batman, Superman and the Pink Panther. 


Isle Of Man TT, 2010


More TT tourists images here

Ramsey Sprint, Isle of Man TT

                     Balancing act

Races day off, why not head North of the island to Ramsey, for Ramsey Day.  The stunt display team showing how it's done along Mooragh Promenade.

Isle of Man TT 2008

John McGuiness and Guy Martin

     Sometimes you just get lucky.....


......and the race is flagged, which is not so lucky for the riders, but great for spectators and photographers. Normal raing service resumed after Guy had his cuppa tea.

The Central

                     Beer and Bikes


If you find yourself in Ramsey for the races, try The Central pub, Parliament Square. Get in early though as this place gets packed out. Small, but a perfect vantage point. If you like karaoke then you're in the right place. If not, then take earplugs, or try sitting out the back with a beer and just enjoy the racing view. 

And so it begins

                     Refuelling 


The sun is out, the blue skies are back, the tourists have arrived. The Isle of Man TT Grandstand  ready for action. Pit stop for the tourists to grab a beer and a bite to eat. Let's hope the good weather lasts until the races begin. Probably not, but so if you are going pack an umbrella and sun cream. You'll need both.

John McGuinness and his happiest fan

                        This guy


Photo shoot at the TT Grandstand, John McGuinness book signing. This guy, first in the queue. Possibly the happiest fan of any rider I've ever seen and photographed. John McGuinness, one the all  nicest riders, celebrities, people all round nice guy you will ever meet. The super fan, one of many waiting patiently for a snap with the motorbike race legend, and purchase his hand signed book. It's all part of the Isle of Man TT Races. As I left, I could still hear the guy laughing. Whatever part of the world he'd traveled from, he'll always be remembered as the happiest fan to me. If anyone knows who he is, pass on this post. I'd love him to have the original large file of the image.  2014 Isle of Man TT Races, TT Grandstand

Hotheads

                     It's a TT thing


I started this blog with the intention of uploading years of road race images. So far, the posts have veered towards the spectators. Well, they do have some great riding gear. Taken after a meet and greet with riders at the TT Grandstand, these bikers doing a few laps of the course. Unusual helmets, not obligatory, helmet hair unavoidable. Image 2013.

Wilma

                      Hello Duckie
 

A short introduction to Wilma the duck. She accompanies her human owner on all her biking adventures, not just TT races. Tis is one well travelled bike race duck. Expect more photos to follow of Wilma with TT riders, Policemen, spectators, her infamous owners. If you want a photo with a TT rider, take a backpack duck. No rider refuses to be seen with Wilma. She's also the ice breaker conversation starter between fans, of which the ducks owner is one of the biggest, with over 25 years continued visits.  Image 2009, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

One for Mrs N.

A nun, Superman, and Jack Sparrow walk into a pub......

             ......is either the best joke ever...........


.....Or just your average day at the TT races in Ramsey. It's Mad Sunday again. Another group dressed as an assortment of characters, having a pint  (or several), watching the tourists and locals ride a the TT course route. I'm not sure if this was the year Batman rode a motorbike closely followed by Spiderman or was it Banaman,  I but I know it's not the year of the Pink Panther riding a moped. Photo of this motley crew taken just outside the Swan Pub, Parliament Square 2011.

Team Orange, TT Marshals

                              Hello Terry 
 


The unsung heroes and heroines of the TT Races (and later in the year Manx Grand Prix) The TT Marshals, know affectionately as "Team Orange." Without these volunteers manning points along the course and so much more, there would be no races. It's a great way for people to view the action even closer, meet new people who become lifelong friends, rub shoulders with riders and spectators alike. I have a lot of time for these people. Volunteers always welcome, many come from across the globe to man the course for two weeks. You can also capture photographs from unusual vantage points. Go team orange.

Two pints of Okells and packet of crisps please

                              Beer O'clock


Riders day off and head over to the TT Grandstand. Every other day is race day, over the 2 weeks of the TT Races, and days off are a great for photo opportunities around the paddock and pits. You can find mechanics tinkering, riders book signing, locals and tourists grabbing a pint of the local stuff and a bite to eat. I'd like to say blue skies are always an Isle of Man staple, but we all know that's not the case. The beer though, never stops flowing at the Okells beer tent.


Fancy a pint, buy some TT merchandise, spot a rider eating a burger. TT Grandstand, is the place to be. Free entry on non race days. Family friendly atmosphere. Blue skies not guaranteed. Well you can't have everything.

Team Oscar Racing

                                                              On their way


It's not all about motorbikes, it's about sidecars too. It's not all male driver's and riders either. Team Oscar Racing pictured, driven by local Manx lass, Debbie Baron, and wing man passenger, Karl Schofield on the turn past Taubman Street, Ramsey.  It's a great vantage point to watch or photograph the sidecars from. If you're quick you can catch both the arriving and leaving shot. Photo. 2014, Sidecar Race 1.


More about Team Oscar Racing can be found here.

The Girls at the Grandstand

                                             Neo Girls, 2014, TT Grandstand



  
As much as a part of the TT, the promotion girls you'll find around the Grandstand, pits, start line.  The sponsors may change, the girls may change with each passing year, but the photographer can always find the ubiquitous Girls at the Grandstand shot.

And don't forget the tourists

                                                              Mad Sunday        


Mad Sunday, 2010. It's not compulsory to adorn fancy dress to watch people whizzing past on motorbikes along the TT route, but having a beer at one of the local pubs is a must. Taken outside the Swan Pub, Ramsey. It's also not compulsory to dress as Superman whilst riding a motorbike along the TT route, or Batman, or the Pink Panther, it's just that kind of event.