I live on the Isle of Man and saw someone die in the TT – I haven’t watched a race since, there are too many deaths
AN Isle of Man resident admits they haven’t watched a TT race in 45 years.
That’s after witnessing a horrific death at the world-famous annual event.
The Isle of Man TT draws hundreds of brave racers each year, while thousands of spectators attend to watch the action.
However, it’s garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous events in sport due to the amount of deaths that have occurred.
Since the TT began in 1911, there have been 267 fatalities.
28 of those have come since 2013’s event.
And there were six alone last year, with Welsh rider Mark Purslow the first tragic fatality.
Frenchman Olivier Lavorel died several months later as a sidecar passenger.
And this year’s race has already claimed its first victim, with Spaniard Raul Torras Martinez falling off his bike on Tuesday.
One Isle of Man resident admits people living nearby need the TT for their businesses to survive each year.
But despite organisers’ efforts, he believes the number of deaths are out of control.
And the resident himself hasn’t watched a sidecar race after witnessing a fatal tragedy in 1978.
Jerry Carter told The Times: “For some people it’s their make or break, especially after Covid.
“They’ll break even for the rest of the year and then make all their profit over the TT fortnight.
“You get to May and think, ‘Oh, the TT’s coming’. Everybody gets a buzz about it.
“I saw a fatality in a sidecar race in 1978 and I haven’t watched a sidecar race since.
“There are too many deaths and they need to address it. But they are addressing it.”
DON’T CANCEL IT
Meanwhile, another resident believes that although the TT is dangerous, it should not cancelled.
They told Crash: “The dreadful sight of a red flag being waves makes your heart sink.
“Although hearing of a rider’s passing never gets easier, some comfort can be given knowing that they die doing what they love.
“The adrenaline and enjoyment of racing in the TT is addictive, and without the danger I do not believe many riders would take part.
“The TT will always be a dangerous race. The riders are not forced to compete and it brings so much joy to the fans.
“How would you feel if you were no longer able to do something you enjoyed?”