Just too dangerous?

It does seem like an awfully high number Aveline, I agree with you.

On checking there have been 265 deaths over the years during this race!

I think part of the attraction is the risk/danger for the riders to take part - not that I’m defending it.
The course is incredibly challenging, run on ordinary roads around the island. The prize money isn’t huge (£60K for winner of the Superbike Race) in relation to other motor sports, so the reason to take part must be personal, as most aren’t professional riders. I wonder if the racers want it to continue or does the Island not want to stop it, because of the revenue it brings in every year?

Yesterday I heard someone say that there has only been ONE year, 1982, when there were no deaths!

Maybe I misheard, sounds an extraordinary statistic.

I'm sure it's to the island's financial advantage. However, it's a lovely place and a very pleasant holiday venue. Surely they could without this grim sporting event? We went there once and noticed that many of the buildings, lamp posts etc were lagged and padded!

My ex-father-in-law, now deceased, in his youth was an avid rider in the TT race on the Isle of Man. Thankfully his two sons were not interested.

I have two friends who ride the TT every year and have done for decades .One who had a horrific accident that broke almost every bone in his body.It was a long road back from it BUT when he was recovered he was straight back to the Isle of Man

Lots of sports are dangerous ,the people who take part in them know the risks and want to participate in the race .
Its their choice .and rightly so , .You cant ban something that people love because somebody MIGHT be hurt or die.
A childhood friend lost his son in a race NOT the TT ,they were very proud of his achievements ...and carried on with the training with a grandson .Their choice .
My OH and my son both have raced cars ,as a hobby ,not at international level and they love it .When they come home jubilant ,grinning and talking about the changes they can make to increase the performance I'm delighted for them .We cant wrap them all up in bubblewrap or resrict them to 20 mile an hour events .
After all they could be killed falling downstairs or have a heart attack in the middle of the night.Life involves risk .for many that risk brings great pleasure.
Of course the deaths count ,the losses mourned but life must go on .

I have been to isle of man races my oh is a keen motorcyclist ,it is tragic to hear about the deaths the competitors know the risk and accept it like in any sport what entails speed .The TT is a major event and people from different countries attend and spend a lot of money which helps the I of M economy .

I not sure about that to be honest. From the little I know about F1 it used to be a much more dangerous sport but safety has improved considerably over the years, I am sure it is not beyond the realm of possibility to look at ways of making it safer without banning as they have done with F1.

I watched a programme recently about a junior motor cycle racing club in N.Ireland. The children aged around 10-15 years old were hurtling round the competition race tracks at 70mph. My stomach was churning watching it. Their parents were spending huge amounts of money on the motor bikes, clothing, vans and trailers etc. They travelled all over to compete and it seemed to be the focus of their lives.

One little boy who featured in it had an uncle who died in the TT years ago. His dad’s brother. But it didn’t deter them in any way, if anything it was the opposite. Some of the children had already had broken bones as a result of accidents.

I think this is the programme I mentioned. I got it wrong about the ages and speeds. The age range is 6-14 years and they race their bikes up to 135 mph! Some of them are too little to hold up and push the bikes without adult help.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016g4q/true-north-series-14-1-speed-kids

Yes I aggree, way too dangerous

I can't think of any other sport where this level of fatalities would just be accepted as 'their choice'. As Galaxy said motor racing had to seriously improve their safety standards. It can't be beyond the realms of possibility to do this in motor bike racing. Eg of the father and son killed recently, the father hadn't raced for 20 years and the son hadn't ever raced. Surely some sort of competency standard could be introduced?
My DH is heavily involved in motor sports (of the four wheeled variety) and is very safety conscious. He has to be. When I asked his opinion of the TT death level he just said, 'Och these boys are just nutters!'

My DH is very keen on motor sport and currently watching Le Mans.

We live near a motor circuit and can hear the cars and bikes on a race day. I hate to hear of any accidents but they just love the thrill of it all so I doubt it will stop.

I think you'll find that when Jackie Stewart first wanted to introduce the safety measures he was not welcomed .There are still people who think he went a step too far .My SIL is an International race director (not Michael Massi) and he hears moans about these things every week all over Europe and America .
Anyone seen wee Billy Monger ? Even after his horrific accident he NEEDED to get back on the track ,and he did with his families support .He's a wonderful young man and an inspiration to many in and out of motorsport.
Dismissing the bikers as "nutters" isn't something I've ever heard from the racers I know .They are in the main dedicated to their sport and there are many where generations of a family have raced in the TT .Michael Schumaker avoided serious injury on the track,and then almost killed himself on a ski slope .So lets ban skiing ...its clearly dangerous .

I'm sure it won't stop but neither will the extraordinary death toll. Maybe the Darwin awards should take a look at the TT.

This is so tragic, more so because it was a father and son who died together. Dreadful for the family.

However, we can't stop people doing dangerous sports, undertaking adventurous activities although we can try to introduce more safety measures.

Michael Schumaker avoided serious injury on the track,and then almost killed himself on a ski slope .So lets ban skiing ...its clearly dangerous .

One of Britain's greatest motor racing drivers, Graham Hill, was killed in a plane crash

TT winner Mike Hailwood was killed in his car, along with his daughter, after a collision with a truck. They'd gone out for fish and chips.

Steve Irwin was brought up handling crocodiles and other dangerous reptiles but was killed by a stingray - a freak accident.

At least 300 people have died attempting to climb Everest but more and more attempt it.

I do know this but these TT racing fatalities are not freak accidents. So many of the accidents are off one offs. As a percentage of all people climbing mountains only a tiny number are actually killed. A comparatively huge percentage of entrants to the TT are killed.
My point is, that given the efforts of other sports to improve safety, why is the TT still taking such a tragic toll and we all just shrug?

I was shocked by this statistic, it does seem extraordinary.
Generally I am not in favour of banning anything. Nobody is forced to take part in dangerous sports, they just love it.
And, yes, everyday life is dangerous.
But maybe there is a good case here for looking at the safety aspect of these TT races. Surely it can't just be ignored.

It’s heartbreaking. The thing is despite the risk they want to do it, in some cases because of them. I wish they would make it safer. As people have said, everyday life is a risk.

Risk taking is part of the attraction.The buzz when it all goes right is worth the risk .Not just in sport but in life in general .I've taken risks all my life and I love it when a plan comes together .Not so great when you find yourself in the mire but doesn;t stop you doing something similar again.Never the same ,that way lies madness .
We shouldn't try to control others lives ,they are not ours to control .Their risk, their gain or loss ,their choice.

This is the car that my 74yr old partner raced at SantaPod.
He’s just sold it to buy another hot rod that will go faster.
He just loves speed and tinkering to make them go faster.

www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/santapod/live/2019dragstalgia/pitnotes/picture.asp?picture=picl05.jpg

The Isle of Man always has had independent and differing attitudes to the rest of the UK about many things. I think the TT races are probably one of those things. I do remember a nurse who worked in an orthopaedic ward telling me she was sick of bikers who were still recovering from their injuries enthusiastically discussing what bike they were going to buy when their insurance money came through. So I think those who choose to take part probably accept the risk.
There are people who choose to do dangerous things, providing they know the risks I think it is their choice. People die climbing mountains and walking in the hills. In a 2 year study in Scotland 57 people died emj.bmj.com/content/20/3/281
It's not just about speed.

I am.not sure it's that simple. It's a risk to drive a car with no seatbelt why arent we allowed to take that risk.