Ad2uktrip: Day 14 - TT Race Day

Just one word for today (or maybe 2). Bloody magnificent!! Locals have said that the weather for the TT has not been this good since 1975! So it was on the bus early to head up to the TT Grandstand in Douglas for the Lightweight race then the Senior TT. The Senior Race is the flagship race of the week. 6 laps of the 37 mile circuit. In keeping with our Bathurst experience we decided to invest in VIP tickets for the day. So we arrived right on time for the 9am opening. We were given VIP packs including race programmes, radio, caps, a 20 pound voucher for the merchandise tents, and car parking should we have needed it. We then went to he desk to get our grandstand tickets. Right in front of us was an irate and whinging yank going on about seat allocations. The lovely Aussie event organiser winked at me and said "here are your seats sir, sorry to keep you waiting". So we head up to the grandstand to find our seats and find we have been given seats to the VIP VIP area. Most of the people there paid well over 1000 pounds and for that get access to the start finish line and a lap in a car on the closed course at race-ish speed. Their seating was right opposite the presentation podium with padded seating and shade. Sadly we couldn't quite swing all the other stuff, but the seats were primo! You little beauty!!!! The TT light race went off without a hitch. The Senior race was, unfortunately somewhat different. Basically the bikes take off at 10 second intervals and immediately accelerate to 180-190 mph on a full tank of fuel and cold tyres. On one of the first corners a rider fell off and sadly his bike went in to a group of spectators. There were 11 injuries ranging from serious to minor. This put a stretch on medical resources and the race was delayed for 3 hours while the injured were tended to and beds released in case of a further incident. Understandable I guess. So while awaiting the delay what else but to tuck in to some poached salmon, cheese cakes and drinks? It's a tough life... After the races the top 3 place getters a bought in to the VIP tent for an interview and a few other TT legends and celebs are interviewed. Charley Boorman (The Long Way Round) was there and gave a very good interview. The Senior Race finally got away at 4:30 after multiple more drinks consumed. It was awesome with a Kiwi getting 3rd place... Then it was off back to Castletown to enjoy some more drinks at the local pubs. A fantastic and unforgettable day...