Isle of Man senior Classic TT - First day of races!

One of the main reasons we are here in the IOM is for the inaugural Classic TT motorcycle races. The Classic TT is a new event that celebrates the over 100 year history of the Isle of Man TT races. The motorcycles being raced are all motorcycles that are now considered "classics" in the motorcycling world.   Riders compete on machines built by such well-known, but now gone, manufacturers like Norton, Matchless, AJS as well as older Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's and Triumphs. They may not be as fast as the current TT bikes but they're no less exciting. Just like in the modern TT, spectators at the Classic TT can almost reach out and touch the riders as the fly by at speeds approaching 150 mph. 

Our first day of viewing took us up to the 'mountain', which is the highest point of the course.  Bikes have already traveled 30 miles of the almost 38 miles course (1st lap of 4).  This is what we saw:

During the event, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the electric railway train, bringing visitors up from Laxey and Ramsey for a visit to the highest mountain summit, Snaefell.

This is the extension of the train we saw stopping in Glen Dhoon. 

The next event that took place was a re-enactment of the 1967 race - one of the most famous TT races ever; between Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, starring John McGuiness and Agostini (as himself).  We watched from the church across from the Sulby Hotel.  If you look at the tables on the patio, you can imagine me at my first event in 2009, leaning out to get a better view of the racers screaming past, and the shock on my face as one of them nearly took the beer from my hand as he whizzed by at 150 mph!

After a long day in the sunshine,  soaking up the races, we tucked into a plate of spaghetti bolognese in honour of Agostini!

A fitting meal for an italian inspired day!