Road racing is a North American term to describe motorsport racing held on a paved road surface . The races can be held either on a closed circuit or on a street circuit utilizing temporarily closed public roads . The objective is to complete a predetermined number of circuit laps in the least amount of time, or to accumulate the most circuit laps within a predetermined time period. Originally, road races were held almost entirely on public roads. However, public safety concerns eventually led to most races being held on purpose-built racing circuits.
104-408: The Duke Road Race Rankings was established in 2002 to analyse and acknowledge the season-long performances of riders involved in a series of motorcycle road racing events held on public roads. It was the idea of Isle of Man -based Peter Duke, son of former World Champion Geoff Duke , who in conjunction with road-racing journalist Leslie Moore, author Mac McDiarmid and archivist Phil Edge, developed
208-705: A 1000 cc engine capacity class. The new FIM Formula 2 class for Sidecars was introduced for the 1990 Isle of Man TT. The 2015 specifications for entries into the Sidecar TT race are: For the 1911 Isle of Man TT , the first TT event using the Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course , two separate races were introduced. The first event was a four lap Junior TT race and a separate Senior TT race for 500 cc single-cylinder and 585 cc twin-cylinder motorcycles, over five laps of
312-1726: A 12-month sabbatical. 1 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 26-27 April 2 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 03-04 May 3 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 16/18 May 4 Horice "300 Curves" - [REDACTED] 18-19 May 5 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 24-27 May 6 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 25 May - 7 June 7 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 8 June 8 Imatra Road Races - [REDACTED] 14-16 June 9 Kells Road Races - [REDACTED] 15-16 June 10 Enniskillen Road Races - [REDACTED] 28-29 June 11 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 06-07 July 12 Southern ‘100’ International Road Races - [REDACTED] 08-11 July 13 Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 13-14 July 14 Faugheen 50 Road Races - [REDACTED] 20-21 July 15 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 26-27 July 16 Barry Sheene Road Race Festival - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 27-28 July 17 Munster 100 (Cork) Road Races - [REDACTED] 03-04 August 18 Ulster Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 07-10 August 19 Horice "Czech TT Road Races" - [REDACTED] 17-18 August 20 Classic TT - [REDACTED] 16-26 August 21 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 16-30 August 22 East Coast Racing Festival (Killalane) - [REDACTED] 07-08 September 23 Frohburg Road Races - [REDACTED] 21-22 September 24 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup International - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 27-29 September 25 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 14-17 November The 2018 Duke Road Race Rankings Championship gets underway over
416-1047: A 2 year break due to Covid. 1 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 22-23 April 2 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 29-30 April 3 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 12/14 May 4 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 28-29 May 5 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 29 May - 10 June 6 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 11 June 7 Kells Road Races - [REDACTED] 18-19 June 8 Munster 100 (Cork) Road Races - [REDACTED] 25-26 June 9 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 02-03 July 10 Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 09-10 July 11 Southern ‘100’ International Road Races - [REDACTED] 11-14 July 12 Faugheen 50 Road Races - [REDACTED] 16-17 July 13 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 29-30 July 14 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 21-29 August 15 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 17-20 November The Duke Road Race Rankings gets fired-up for its 18th Championship season with
520-526: A casualty. They also have other duties such as course inspection, observation of machines on the course for visible faults, and review and report any course incidents. As of 2023, all travelling marshals rode Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades. The 1982 Road Racing Act (Isle of Man) and the supplementary TT Road Races Orders allow vehicles and pedestrians to cross the Snaefell Mountain Course at certain points between scheduled race periods under
624-2342: A further 6 top six placings and seventh places, plus 16 fastest laps, 4 record laps and 1 absolute lap record during the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod. All of which earned him a total of 2506 points. 1 Spring Cup Road Races Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 21-22 April ...CANCELLED !! 2 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 27-28 April 3 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 04-05 May 4 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 17/19 May 5 Horice "300 Curves" - [REDACTED] 21/22 May 6 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 25-27 May 7 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 28 May - 8 June 8 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 9 June 9 Kells Road Races - [REDACTED] 23-24 June ...CANCELLED !! 10 Cock o'the North Continental Road Races - Oliver's Mount - [REDACTED] 23-24 June ...CANCELLED !! 11 Enniskillen Road Races - [REDACTED] 29-30 June 12 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 06-07 July 12a Imatra Road Races - [REDACTED] 06-08 July 14 Southern ‘100’ International Road Races - [REDACTED] 6-12 July 15 Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 14-15 July 16 Faugheen 50 Road Races - [REDACTED] 21-22 July 17 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 27-28 July 18 Barry Sheene Road Race Festival - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 28-29 July ...CANCELLED !! 19 Ulster Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 9/11 August 20 Horice "Czech TT Road Races" - [REDACTED] 18-19 August 21 Classic TT - [REDACTED] 25/27 August 22 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 27-31 August 23 Killalane Road Races - [REDACTED] 08-09 September 24 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup International - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 22-23 September ...CANCELLED !! 25 Frohburg Road Races - [REDACTED] 22-23 September 26 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 15-18 November The 2017 Duke Road Race Rankings Championship commences on Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23 April at Oliver's Mount, Scarborough with
728-702: A lengthy circuit of closed public roads, not purpose-built racing circuits. This was true of the Le Mans circuit of the 1906 French Grand Prix, as well as the Targa Florio (run on 93 miles (150 km) of Sicilian roads), the 75 miles (121 km) German Kaiserpreis circuit in the Taunus mountains, the 48 miles (77 km) French circuit at Dieppe, used for the 1907 Grand Prix and, the Isle of Man TT motorcycle road circuit first used in 1907. The exceptions were
832-478: A scoring system which would recognise the significance of the individual events. Riders' aggregate performances over a season-long assessment of several road racing events acknowledges the most consistent racer as the ‘championship’ winner. Since Ian Lougher's first-year win in 2002, all big names of road racing have been considered, such as Adrian Archibald , Richard Britton, Jason Griffiths, Darran Lindsay and, more recently, Manxman Conor Cummins . The purpose of
936-595: A single race with two classes for the 1907 Isle of Man TT, expanding in 1911 to two individual races for the 350cc Junior TT motor-cycles and the Blue Riband event the 500cc Senior TT race. The race did not take place from 1915 to 1919 due to the First World War. It resumed in 1920. A 250cc Lightweight TT race was added to the Isle of Man TT programme in 1922, followed by a Sidecar TT race in 1923. There
1040-406: A six-speed belt drive Charlie Collier riding a Matchless motorcycle finished second in the 1911 Senior TT race and was later disqualified for illegal refuelling. During an early morning practice session for the 1911 Isle of Man TT races, Victor Surridge died after crashing his Rudge motorcycle at Glen Helen , the first death of a competitor on the Snaefell Mountain Course and the first death in
1144-429: A split between Ryan Farquhar and Ian Lougher, apart from 2007 when Manxman Conor Cummins received the award in only his second full-season on the roads. The Duke Road Race Rankings series features around two dozen meetings every year, including many of the long-established Irish and Isle of Man road races, and has remained largely unaltered since 2002 – apart from cancellations and the addition of extra meetings, such as
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#17327803703691248-491: A stand full of spectators, killing 15 and himself. In 1970, Jochen Rindt won the Formula One drivers' championship posthumously, the only man to do so, underlining the continuing risks associated with road racing. The tragedies highlighted the need for improved safety standards for both drivers and spectators; safety would continue to be an issue throughout the 1960s and 1970s. When motorcycle racer Gilberto Parlotti
1352-412: A valid National Entrants or FIM Sponsors Licence for Road Racing. Entrants must also cite pre-filled documentation of completion of a UK driving licence or motorcycle certification, or a driver's licence from a comparable country that is recognised by UK comparable department of transportation standards and may withhold due to any pre race or post race suspensions. The 2015 specification for entries into
1456-508: A weight limit of 3,500 kilograms (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons). When used for vehicular traffic, pedestrian access is prohibited, but at other times it is part of a system of nature trails . Between 1907 and 2023, there have been 156 fatalities during official practices or races on the Snaefell Mountain Course, and 269 total fatalities (this number includes the riders killed during the Manx Grand Prix, and Clubman TT race series of
1560-585: Is now considered to be an accurate 'barometer' of the most successful riders of the season who are dedicated to ‘between the hedges’ road racing, by including the less well-known national events alongside the world-famous international meetings. The 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings was held over 25 rounds commencing at the Spring National Road Races at the North Yorkshire venue of Oliver's Mount in mid April and concluded mid November at
1664-503: Is now promoted by the Isle of Man Government Department for Enterprise. There has been criticism of the event. In 2007, an incident during the Senior Race resulted in the deaths of a rider and two spectators. The resultant inquest made several recommendations and included several comments, such as: 'Senior Marshals may well have been elevated beyond the sphere of their competence'. The coroner also noted that "I am more than aware of
1768-419: Is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world as many competitors have died . The Isle of Man TT is run in a time-trial format on public roads closed to the public by an Act of Tynwald . The event consists of one week of practice and qualifying sessions followed by one week of racing. It was a tradition, perhaps started by racing competitors in the early 1920s, for spectators to tour
1872-590: The 1926 event the Sidecar and Ultra-Lightweight TT classes were dropped due to lack of entries. The Sidecar race was re-introduced from the 1954 event for Sidecars not exceeding 500 cc engine capacity, run on the Clypse Course . A non-championship 750 cc class for sidecars was introduced at the 1968 event . For the 1976 event the race was held over two-legs. From 1975, the previous 500 cc and 750 cc classes for Sidecars were replaced by
1976-600: The Auto-Cycle Union (A.C.U.) stopped issuing permits for races on public roads, a policy that has not changed to this day. Donington Park was the first permanent park circuit in the United Kingdom and held its first motorcycle race in 1931. As automobile and motorcycle technology improved, racers began to achieve higher speeds that caused an increasing number of accidents on roads not designed for motorized vehicles. Public safety concerns ultimately caused
2080-864: The British Commonwealth nations grew around races held on paved, public roads such as the Circuit de la Sarthe circuit near the town of Le Mans , France , the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium and the Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia. Certain European race circuits were situated in mountainous regions where the topography meant that the roads featured numerous curves and elevation changes, allowing
2184-489: The Daytona 200 road race which peaked in 1974 with the victory by 15-time world champion Giacomo Agostini . The dangers associated with the increasing speeds at road races were highlighted by the 1955 Le Mans disaster . With spectators seated near the edges of the circuit, two race cars came into contact causing one of the vehicles to crash into the embankment, where it exploded in a ball of flames and then plowed through
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#17327803703692288-645: The Detroit Grand Prix , and the Honda Indy Toronto . The popularity of Formula One and motorcycle Grand Prix racing led to the formation of road racing world championships for other types of vehicles. In 1953, the FIA sanctioned a world championship for sports car racing which combined the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Mille Miglia, the 12 Hours of Sebring , the 24 Hours of Spa and the 1000km of
2392-740: The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), while motorcycle road races were organized into the Grand Prix motorcycle racing series and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The success and popularity of road racing has seen the sport spread across the globe with Grand Prix road races having been held on six continents. Other variations of road racing include; open-wheel racing , sports car racing , touring car racing , stock car racing , superbike racing , truck racing , kart racing and endurance racing . The first organized automobile race
2496-462: The Isle of Man of a person in an automotive accident. The 2015 specifications for entries into the Senior TT race are: The Clubman races with Lightweight, Junior and Senior classes were held for production motorcycles from 1947 until 1956 . A Senior 1000 cc class provided an opportunity for Vincent motorcycles . The riders were little-known, but as the stars were barred from entering
2600-692: The Middle East , Sepang in Malaysia , and Shanghai in China . Isle of Man TT Joey Dunlop 26 (1977–2000) The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May and June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907 . The event begins on the UK Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May and runs for thirteen days. It
2704-538: The Motor Sports Association , all refused to release the report as it was confidential and privately owned by the ACU. The ACU admitted liability for the accident, but instructed that any legal claim for compensation by Mercer must be filed in the Isle of Man. The ACU stated that Mercer was receiving financial assistance through its "extensive insurance arrangements". In 2019, it was reported that
2808-886: The North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix . In Formula One, street circuits have made a comeback with the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit and the Baku City Circuit joining the Circuit de Monaco as part of the world championship. There are no street circuits being used in MotoGP racing. . In North America, racing on public streets takes place at the Grand Prix of Long Beach , the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg ,
2912-479: The Snaefell Mountain Course on motorcycles during the Isle of Man TT on 'Mad Sunday', an informal and unofficial event held on the Sunday between Practice Week and Race Week. In 2022, race organizers announced that beginning in 2023, racing would take place on Sunday after practices to allow visitors to see more events, marking the end of Mad Sunday. The first Isle of Man TT race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and
3016-510: The 150 kg limit for the 650cc machines, but 2023 saw this changed and all bikes in the class now have a minimum weight of 150 kg. The 1923 TT was the first time the Sidecar TT race was run, over three laps (113 mi or 182 km) of the Mountain Course and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Denny with a Douglas and special banking-sidecar at an average race speed of 53.15 mph (85.54 km/h). For
3120-544: The 16 years of the Duke Road Race Rankings, seven overall winners have received the prestigious Geoff Duke Trophy. Ian Lougher won in the first year and took the title again in consecutive years 2005 & 2006. Ryan Farquhar won his first rankings title in 2003, retaining the number one slot in 2004, then after loaning out the trophy for three years dominated proceedings for the five years 2008 - 2012. Seven championships in total! Manxman Conor Cummins took
3224-542: The 1910s, the Elgin National Road Races held on public roads around Elgin, Illinois attracted competitors from around the country and drew large crowds of spectators. The first 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was held in 1923. The Automobile Racing Club of America was founded in 1933 and became the Sports Car Club of America in 1944. The great majority of road races were run over
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3328-667: The 2003 race by Sports Illustrated writer Franz Lidz called the TT "a test of nerves and speed that may be sports' most dangerous event." In 1976, the Isle of Man TT lost its world championship status; this was transferred to the United Kingdom by the FIM and run as the British Grand Prix for the 1977 season . The Isle of Man TT Races then became an integral part of the new style TT Formula 1 , Formula 2 and Formula 3 World Championships between 1977 and 1990 to develop and maintain
3432-541: The 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings was honoured at the Auto 66 Dinner & Prize Presentation which took place on Saturday, 17 January at the Holiday Inn, York. Yorkshire's James Cowton becomes the 13th winner of the Duke Road Race Rankings series since its inception in 2002 and the first English rider to collect the prestigious award. Twenty-two year old James had a stellar season on the roads, his third year racing 'between
3536-614: The 600 cc Supersport class. The 2015 specifications for entries into the Supersport TT race are: Minimum Weight 161 kg The 2015 specifications for entries for the Superstock TT , an event for production based motorcycles racing with treaded road tyres, are based on the FIM Superstock Championship specifications, as follows: Minimum (Dry) Weight 170 kg Supertwin TT 2022 saw
3640-1527: The Armoy Road Races. The series received coverage in leading publications, such as Motor Cycle News , Road Racing Ireland and Bikesportnews, culminating in an annual presentation gathering. The Duke Road Race Rankings commenced its 21st active season at the Bob Smith Spring Cup Road Races at Oliver's Mount over the weekend of 13th & 14th April. 1 Bob Smith Spring Cup - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 13-14 April 2 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 26-27 April 3 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 09/11 May 4 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 24-26 May 5 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 27 May - 08 June 6 Barry Sheene Road Race Festival - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 15-16 June 7 Southern ‘100’ International Road Races - [REDACTED] 08-11 July 8 Cock o'the North Continental Road Race - Oliver's Mount - [REDACTED] 20–21 July 9 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 26-27 July 10 Aberdare Park - [REDACTED] 03-04 August 11 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 18-26 August 12 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 14-17 November The Duke Road Race Rankings gets fired-up for its 19th Championship season after
3744-1923: The Bob Smith Spring Cup Road Races. Imatra has been added to this years Duke Road Race Rankings schedule, as the famous Finnish meeting forms for the first time, part of the prestigious roads series. 1 Bob Smith Spring Cup Road Races - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 22-23 April 2 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 21-22 April 3 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 28-29 April 4 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 11/13 May 5 Horice "300 Curves" - [REDACTED] 20/21 May 6 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 26–29 May 7 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 27 May - 9 June 8 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 10 June 9 Cock o'the North Continental Road Race - Oliver's Mount - [REDACTED] 24–25 June 10 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 30 June-1 July 11 Imatra Road Races - [REDACTED] 7-9 June 12 Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 8-9 July 12a Southern ‘100’ International Road Races - [REDACTED] 10–13 July 14 Barry Sheene Road Race Festival - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 22-23 July 15 Faugheen 50 Road Races - [REDACTED] 22–23 July 16 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 28-29 July 17 Dundrod ‘150’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 10 August 18 Ulster Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 12 August 19 Horice "Czech TT Races" - [REDACTED] 26/27 August 20 Classic TT - [REDACTED] 25–28 August 21 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 29 Aug – 1 September 22 East Coast Racing Road Races - [REDACTED] 09-10 September 23 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup International - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 23–24 September 24 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 16-19 November Dean Harrison Wins 'Geoff Duke Trophy' Dean Harrison has secured
3848-1612: The Championship Series started in 2002. 1 Ian Watson Spring Cup Road Races - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 11-12 April 2 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 25 April 3 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 2 May 4 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 14/16 May 5 Horice Road Races - [REDACTED] 16/17 May 6 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 22–24 May 7 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 30 May - 5 June 8 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 6 June 9 Barry Sheene Classic Road Races - [REDACTED] 20–21 June 10 Kells Road Races - [REDACTED] 28 June 11 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 4 July 12 Southern ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 6–9 July 12a Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 11 July 14 Cock o'the North Continental Road Race - Oliver's Mount - [REDACTED] 18–19 July 15 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 25 July 16 Dundrod ‘150’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 6 August 17 Ulster Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 8 August 18 Faugheen Road Races - [REDACTED] 15–16 August 19 Classic TT - [REDACTED] 29–31 August 20 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 2–4 September 21 Killalane Road Races - [REDACTED] 5-6 September 22 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup International - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 12–13 September 23 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 21 November The winner of
3952-521: The Duke Road Race Rankings is to recognise achievements across the year by those riders who enter not just the ‘major’ meetings, but also the smaller road races. To be considered for the Geoff Duke Trophy, star names need to attend lower-profile events to earn points, helping to ensure strong grids for meetings which would otherwise be overshadowed by the main events - the Isle of Man TT , North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix . The records show
4056-475: The Dundrod 150 Road Races. Add in a further nine second and 13 third places out of the 45 races he finished, only three were out of the top six whilst setting seven fastest laps. James received the coveted Geoff Duke Trophy and replica being only the sixth recipient of the unique award in its 13-year history from Geoff's son Peter Duke, Managing Director of Duke Marketing, who was instrumental in setting up what
4160-567: The FIM. Another motorcycle racing incident occurred at Monza during the 1973 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix when a racing accident claimed the lives of world champion Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini . After the von Trips accident in 1961, the Monza Circuit had been lined with steel barriers as a result of demands by automobile racers. Most auto racers believed steel barriers would improve safety for auto racers and spectators, but they had
4264-592: The Highroads Course. This was followed in September 1905 with the first Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race for racing automobiles, now known as the RAC Tourist Trophy and was won by John Napier (Arrol-Johnston) in 6 hours and 9 minutes at an average speed of 33.90 mph (54.56 km/h). For the 1905 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial it was decided to run an eliminating trial for motorcycles
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4368-556: The International Steve Henshaw Gold Cup Road Races in September with a mere 24 points separating the pair after 23 rounds with only Macau remaining. Neither William or Ivan had been invited to race at the tight, twisty closed public roads circuit, the Geoff Duke Trophy looked set to be returning to Ballymoney where it had spent 12 months, two years earlier. Then Ivan Lintin received an invite to compete and his team R&C Express took up
4472-438: The Isle of Man TT in 1962. There was subsequently a ban on women in the race from 1962 until Hilary Musson competed in 1978. The race is regarded as the most dangerous motorsport event in the world; The New York Times said in 2017 that the number of deaths had risen "to 146 since it was first run in 1907; if one includes fatal accidents occurring during the Manx Grand Prix ... the figure rises above 250". An account of
4576-453: The Isle of Man TT, lost their world championship status due to their considerable safety risk, their popularity continued to flourish leading to a branch of road racing known as Traditional Road Racing . Traditional road racing on closed public roads is popular in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and parts of Europe. The Duke Road Racing Rankings was established in 2002 to establish rider classifications in traditional road racing events such as
4680-477: The Isle of Man for the 52.15-mile (83.93 km) Highroads Course for the 1904 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial which was won by Clifford Earl (Napier) in 7 hours 26.5 minutes for five laps (255.5 mi or 411.2 km) of the Highroads Course . The 1905 Gordon Bennett Trial was held on 30 May 1905 and was again won by Clifford Earl driving a Napier automobile in 6 hours and 6 minutes for six laps of
4784-730: The Isle of Man in 1904 with the Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trial, restricted to touring automobiles. As the Motor Car Act 1903 placed a speed restriction of 20 mph (32 km/h) on automobiles in the UK, Julian Orde, Secretary of the Automobile Car Club of Britain and Ireland approached the authorities in the Isle of Man for the permission to race automobiles on the island's public roads. The Highways (Light Locomotive) Act 1904 gave permission in
4888-595: The John Burrows 'Cookstown' Team headed the 2016 rankings after the opening round at Mid Antrim and remained on the top rung until the TT, despite his untimely passing at the North West 200, such was his early season dominance. Malachi finished in 17th place overall in this year's Duke Rankings. Ian Hutchinson briefly topped the rankings after the TT, prior to Dean's 'throttle hold' on the Championship in
4992-651: The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, James was third in the table after the opening round and throughout the season maintained a position in the top six, slotting into second after the Ulster Grand Prix climbing on to the top rung after the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Road Races, the penultimate round, the final round at Macau un-affecting the top three positions. Peter Duke commented: 'Another thrilling season with 479 point-scoring riders underlines
5096-715: The Nurburgring . NASCAR held its first road race in 1957 at the Watkins Glen International circuit with Buddy Baker as the winner. The FIA launched the European Touring Car Championship in 1963. The FIA created the International Karting Commission (CIK) in 1962 and, in 1964, the first CIK Karting World Championship was won by Guido Sala . Karting has become a significant step in
5200-575: The Silkolene Engineering Yamaha Team, before dominating the Duke Road Race Rankings from late June. The twenty-seven year old Yorkshireman joined the rankings at the second round at the Bob Smith Spring National held at Oliver's Mount slotting into third place slipping to ninth prior to the first International, the North West 200, recovering to eighth, then climbing back to third after the TT, topping
5304-588: The Superbike TT race are defined as: Minimum Weight 165 kg (364 lb). Other machines admitted at the discretion of the Organisers The 1911 Isle of Man TT was the first time the Junior TT race took place, open to 300 cc single-cylinder and 340 cc twin cylinder motorcycles, contested over five laps of the new 37.5-mile (60.4 km) Snaefell Mountain Course. The first event on
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#17327803703695408-492: The Superstock class replaced the previous 1000 cc and 600 cc Production TT classes that had been part of the race schedule since 1989. The TT Zero was a one lap race for electric bikes running from 2010 to 2019. It was announced that the race would take a two-year break after 2019, but it never came back on the schedule since. After the completion of a practice or race period, an official course vehicle displaying
5512-659: The United States was typically oval track racing on paved tracks such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Milwaukee Mile track, or on dirt tracks using widely available horse racing circuits. Automobile dirt track racing would develop into stock car racing . American racing also branched out into drag racing . Road racing traditions in Europe, South America, Great Britain and
5616-415: The accident the organisers changed their protocols, requiring that returning riders must be controlled by motorcycle-mounted travelling marshals to the front and rear. An independent inquiry into the circumstances was arranged by ACU Events, the event organisers. The Auto-Cycle Union , the Isle of Man Department for Enterprise, and the inquiry report author, lawyer Rob Jones, a former chief executive of
5720-412: The class, it provided a stepping-stone for future-stars but resulted in less spectator-interest. The series became dominated by one model – the BSA Gold Star , and with little competition from other manufacturers, was discontinued. When previewing the impending re-introduction of a specification-controlled, roadster-based class in March 1967, David Dixon wrote: " lack of inter-make rivalry probably put
5824-440: The creation of sinuous and undulating race courses such as the Nürburgring in the Eifel mountains of Germany and the Circuit de Charade in the Chaîne des Puys in the Massif Central of France. These circuits presented such a challenge that they were both feared and respected by racers. The 20.8 km (12.9 mi) long Nurburgring with more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) of elevation change from its lowest to highest points,
5928-509: The crowd of spectators. In addition to the driver of the race car, 83 spectators were killed and 120 were injured. Auto racing was temporarily banned in several countries after the Le Mans disaster until safety was improved for spectators. Switzerland would not allow circuit racing until the Zürich ePrix in 2018. The Formula One championship experienced its worst tragedy during the 1961 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, when driver Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his Ferrari and crashed into
6032-440: The day afterwards for a team to represent Great Britain in the International Motor-Cycle Cup Races. An accident at Ramsey Hairpin forced out one of the pre-race favourites, and the inability of the competitors to climb the steep Mountain Section of the course forced the organisers to use a 25-mile (40 km) section of the Gordon Bennett Trial course. This ran from Douglas south to Castletown and then north to Ballacraine along
6136-500: The development of road racers including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton . The European Truck Racing Championship was founded in 1985. A Superbike World Championship for road-going production motorcycles was created in 1988 . As road racing grew in popularity it eventually expanded across the globe with Grand Prix road races having been held on six continents. Expansion of the Formula One and MotoGP series has resulted in many dedicated tracks being built, like in Qatar in
6240-412: The driver of the car in the collision had quit after criticism that he exceeded a newly introduced speed limit recorded by a GPS tracking device when he drove to attend a fatality involving Chris Swallow at Ballaugh in August's Senior Classic TT. Gary Thompson, Clerk of the Course and an ACU employee, had been criticised in 2018 for also fulfilling the role of Safety Officer; consequently a new incumbent
6344-413: The dwindling support for the 500 cc race. A Production TT for roadster-based motorcycles having classes for maximum engine capacities of 250 cc, 500 cc and 750 cc was introduced from 1967 until 1976 when the class was discontinued. The Production TT was reintroduced for the 1984 races in three classes, reduced to two classes on safety grounds for the 1990 races. For the 2005 races
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#17327803703696448-455: The exception of the Monza circuit, all the Grand Prix races were held on street circuits . The Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus was renamed the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile in 1946 and, plans were developed for a road racing world championship. In 1950 , the FIA created the Formula One world championship, a competition of seven rounds that included the Indianapolis 500. A Formula I manufacturers' championship
6552-428: The fact that the witnesses from the Manx Motor Cycle Club and the marshals are all volunteers. They give their time freely and without paid reward. Having said that however, if it were suggested because they were volunteers there should be some allowance in the standards expected of them, then I regret I cannot agree." The 2020 and 2021 TT races were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic . Motor racing began on
6656-442: The final nail in the coffin ". Writing in UK monthly magazine Motor Cyclist Illustrated , racing journalist Ray Knight, who had achieved a lap speed of nearly 88 mph on a Triumph Tiger 100 roadster -based racing motorcycle in the Manx Grand Prix , commented in early 1965 that the ACU had refused a request from manufacturers to run a production TT race, which he thought was a missed opportunity, particularly considering
6760-424: The first race in 1907 have been in the format of time-trial. The races held on the Clypse Course during the period 1954–1959 were the more traditional full grid starts along with the 1924 Lightweight TT Race and Clubmen TT Races from 1948, which were also "mass-start" races. The current format is a "clutch start" and race competitors will be "started singly at 10-second intervals". Entrants must be in possession of
6864-444: The hedges' amassing six race victories during the year, at Oliver's Mount, Billown and Dundrod, where he took his first international race win at the Ulster Grand Prix. James' first victory of the year was at the Blackford's Pre-TT Classic races in the Post Classic race where he also set a new lap record, following that with a double at the Barry Sheene Race Festival at his home circuit, Oliver's Mount before taking another double win at
6968-415: The historic Douglas to Peel route, from the junction of the A5 New Castletown Road at the Quarter Bridge , passing under the course at Braddan Bridge , to an exit at Braddan School Road in Douglas outskirts, near the former Braddan Railway Halt and the A23 /Ballafletcher Road junction. The access road is a narrow, single-track width with passing places and is restricted to cars and light vans below
7072-533: The honours in 2007; Michael Dunlop in 2013; Yorkshireman James Cowton 2014; William Dunlop 2015, with the title going to Yorkshire for the second time in 2016 in the hands of Dean Harrison, who retained his title in 2017, taking top spot in the rankings table from the first round, taking seven race wins from seven starts and putting in seven fastest laps and holding that position throughout the 25 rounds. Deans racing statistics for 2017 Duke Road Race Rankings Championship are, 23 race wins, 2 second places, 5 third places,
7176-418: The increasing popularity of real roads racing and I am extremely proud that the Duke Series plays its part in the sport. Road racing Road racing's origins were centered in Western Europe and Great Britain as motor vehicles became more common in the early 20th century. After the Second World War, automobile road races were organized into a series called the Formula One world championship sanctioned by
7280-418: The international racing status of the Isle of Man TT races. The event was redeveloped by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism as the Isle of Man TT Festival from 1989 onwards. This included new racing events for the new Isle of Man TT Festival programme, including the Pre-TT Classic Races in 1989 followed by the Post-TT Races from 1991, both held on the Billown Circuit . In 2013, the Isle of Man Classic TT
7384-422: The introduction of the supertwin race run over 3 laps on Wednesday the 8th of June, increased to 4 laps the following year. The class is very similar to the lightweight class which last ran in 2019, although with some differences. The maximum capacity has been increased to 700cc allowing the Yamaha YZF-R7 and Aprilia RS660 to compete. In 2022 bikes with capacities of 651cc+ were required to run 10 kg heavier than
7488-445: The late 1940s/1950s). In 2016, 5 riders died on the course during official practices or races. There were six fatalities among competitors in the 1970 and 2022 Isle of Man TTs, making them the two deadliest years in the history of the event. On 30 May 2018, an experienced TT rider, Steve Mercer, was seriously injured during a head-on collision with an official Course Car at Ballacrye . The car, being driven at high speed,
7592-500: The new 37.5-mile (60.4 km) Snaefell Mountain Course. The new technical challenges of the Mountain Course forced changes on entrants and motorcycle manufacturers alike. The American Indian motorcycle factory fitted a two-speed gearbox and chain-drive. This proved to be the winning combination when Oliver Godfrey won the 1911 Senior TT race riding an Indian at an average speed of 47.63 mph (76.65 km/h). Fitted with
7696-543: The new course was the Junior TT Race contested by 35 entrants, won by Percy J. Evans riding a Humber motor-cycle at an average race speed of 41.45 mph (66.71 km/h). The 1912 event was the first to limit the Junior TT to only 350 cc machines and this engine capacity prevailed until 1976, after which the category was dropped. The event was instead run for 250 cc machines until 1994 when replaced by
7800-601: The notice Roads Open proceeds around the Mountain Course, passing each point opening the roads including side-access junctions to public use. On the Snaefell mountain road section from Ramsey to Douglas, the official vehicle displays the notice Roads Open One Way. Originally introduced in 1935, there are eight machines positioned around the course to provide a rapid response to any incidents. Selected riders have previous race experience and are first-aid trained, with machines carrying medical equipment that can assist in managing
7904-631: The number of road racing events on public roads in Europe to decrease over the years. Notable exceptions are the Mille Miglia which was allowed to continue until 1957 and, the Pau Grand Prix which has been held on the city streets of Pau, France since 1933. After the First World War, automobile and motorcycle road racing competitions in Europe and in North America went in different directions. Automobile and motorcycle racing in
8008-829: The number of safety personnel required. These changes saw a dramatic decrease in deaths and accidents. By the 1980s, motorcycle Grand Prix and the Formula One races were held on purpose built race circuits with the exception of the Monaco Grand Prix held on the city streets of Monaco. Street circuits such as the Montjuïc circuit and the Opatija Circuit with their numerous unmovable roadside obstacles, such as trees, stone walls, lampposts and buildings, were gradually removed from world championship competition. Although events held on closed public roads such as
8112-560: The offer. Ivan making his debut on the 3.8028 mile Circuit da Guia course had to finish in the top six to snatch the championship series from his Ballymoney rival. In the event Ivan had a steady debut ride finishing in 18th position and finishing second in the Duke Road Race Rankings Championship. William Dunlop opened his Duke Rankings account at the second round, the Cookstown 100 taking 13th spot in
8216-662: The opening round of 2019 the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 Road Races on Friday and Saturday 26 & 27 April, which also kick-starts the Irish Road Race season. Reigning Champion, Mullingar’s Derek McGee will commence the defence of his title at what is the first of a total of 25 rounds, as the Duke Rankings organisers warmly welcome back two rounds at the unique Oliver’s Mount Course in July and September, after
8320-492: The opposite effect for motorcyclists and proved fatal for Saarinen and Pasolini. The dangers of street circuits was further exposed at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix held on the twisty, tree-lined Montjuich circuit in Barcelona. The racing drivers found that the circuit's safety barriers had been shoddily installed and threatened to strike if the barriers were not brought up to standard. Under pressure from race organizers,
8424-505: The period 1949 – 1976 . Following safety concerns with the Snaefell Mountain Course and problems over inadequate "start-money" for competitors, there was a boycott of the Isle of Man TT races from the early 1970s by many of the leading competitors, motorcycle manufacturers and national motorcycle sporting federations. Beryl Swain became the first woman to compete in a TT race for solo motorcycles when she competed in
8528-525: The prestigious Duke Road Race Rankings Championship for 2016 becoming only the second Englishman to win the title since the series commenced in 2002. The twenty-three round series which commenced at the Mid Antrim 150 National Road Races in Northern Ireland in early April and concluded at the recent Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix saw Dean making a cautious start to his 2016 season, his first with
8632-452: The prestigious Duke Road Race Rankings Championship in 2015, emulating his younger brother Michael who took the title two years ago in 2013. The twenty-four round series which commenced at the Spring National Road Races at Oliver's Mount in April and concluded at the recent Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix saw William having a season long battle with fellow 'pure roads' rising star Ivan Lintin which
8736-582: The primary A3 road and returning to the start at the Quarterbridge in Douglas via Crosby and Glen Vine along the current Snaefell Mountain Course in the reverse direction. The 1905 International Motor-Cycle Cup Race for five laps (125 mi or 201 km) was won by J.S. Campbell (Ariel) despite a fire during a pit stop in 4 hours, 9 minutes and 36 seconds at an average race speed of 30.04 mph (48.34 km/h). The TT Races since
8840-651: The race was started only to be stopped after 29 laps when the car of Rolf Stommelen plowed into the crowd, killing four spectators. By the late 1970s, the popularity of Grand Prix road racing attracted corporate sponsors and lucrative television contracts which, led to an increased level of professionalism. Road racers organized to demand that stricter safety regulations be adopted by sanctioning bodies in relation to race track safety and race organizers requirements. Race circuits that had originally been public roads were widened and modified to include chicanes and run-off areas while, some circuits were shortened to reduce
8944-1955: The second half of the road racing season and after 23 rounds emerging as a worthy winner, becoming only the seventh rider to see his name engraved on the coveted Geoff Duke Trophy since the Championship Series started in 2002. 1 Antrim 150 Road Race - [REDACTED] 1-2 April 2 Bob Smith Spring Cup Road Races - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 16-17 April 3 Tandragee '100' Road Race - [REDACTED] 22-23 April 4 Cookstown ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 29-30 April 5 North West ‘200’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 12/14 May ? Horice Road Races - [REDACTED] 13-14 May?? 7 Pre-TT Classic Road Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 27–28 May 8 Isle of Man TT Races - [REDACTED] 29 May - 10 June 9 Post TT Races - Billown - [REDACTED] 11 June 10 Cock o'the North Continental Road Race - Oliver's Mount - [REDACTED] 18–19 June 11 Kells Road Races - [REDACTED] 18-19 June 12 Skerries '100' Road Races - [REDACTED] 1-2 July 12a Walderstown Road Races - [REDACTED] 9-10 July 14 Southern ‘100’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 11–14 July 15 Barry Sheene Road Race Festival - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 23-24 July 16 Armoy Road Races - [REDACTED] 29-30 July 17 Aberdare Park - [REDACTED] 29-30 July 18 Dundrod ‘150’ Road Races - [REDACTED] 11 August 19 Ulster Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 13 August 20 Cork Road Races - [REDACTED] 20–21 August ....CANCELLED 21 Classic TT - [REDACTED] 26–29 August 22 Manx Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 30 Aug – 2 September 23 Killalane Road Races - [REDACTED] 10-11 September ....CANCELLED 24 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup International - Oliver's Mount - Scarborough - [REDACTED] 24–25 September 25 Macau Grand Prix - [REDACTED] 17-19 November William Dunlop secured
9048-662: The steeply banked egg-shaped near oval circuit of Brooklands in England , completed in 1906, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway , and the oval, banked speedways constructed in Europe at Monza in 1922 and at Montlhéry in 1924. Road racing on public roads was banned in Great Britain in 1925 when a spectator was injured at the Kop Hill Climb event. The Royal Automobile Club (R.A.C.) and
9152-468: The supervision of a police officer. Several permanent pedestrian overbridges have been erected. These points include: The TT Access Road runs parallel to a section of the A1 Peel Road, which is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course , and operates during practice and race periods to enable vehicles to pass from inside of the race course to the outside. It runs along a section of former railway line on
9256-741: The table after the Cock o'the North Road Races at Oliver's Mount, round 10 of this year's series. From then on Dean headed the Rankings with Lincolnshire rider Ivan Lintin chasing hard to catch his Yorkshire neighbour, which was somewhat thwarted after a racing incident at the Southern 100, which left Ivan missing a number of rounds and him ending up second for the third year running. 2013 Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Dunlop took third place. Rising star Malachi Mitchel Thomas riding for
9360-610: The table, quickly moving into third after a very wet Tandragee 100, the climbing to second after the North West 200. His incident during the TT saw him drop to seventh before his return to action at the first of the Southern Ireland rounds, Kells, returning to second after the Skerries 100 Road Races. Not being 100% fit, William chose to miss the Diamond Jubilee Southern 100, dropping him to fourth in
9464-485: The title chase, although after Walderstown he was up to third. A double race victory and record lap at the 'Race of Legends' at Armoy William was back in second spot and so to Dundrod and the Ulster Grand Prix in mixed conditions a 2nd; 4th; 5th; 6th & 10th was enough to put the Tyco Team rider at the top of the Duke Rankings becoming only the sixth rider to see his name engraved on the coveted Geoff Duke Trophy since
9568-517: The top of the table. Ian Hutchinson took over the helm after the Isle of Man TT Races only for Ivan to regain the leadership after the Barry Sheene Race Festival held at Oliver's Mount, round nine - a lead he was to hold on to until the Ulster Grand Prix where William demoted him to second spot. The Ballymoney rider continued to head the Duke Rankings as the European rounds were run and concluded once again at Oliver's Mount for
9672-540: The weekend of 21 and 22 April, at the Bob Smith Spring Cup Road Races taking place over the popular Oliver's Mount Course - the first of four meetings at the Scarborough, Yorkshire venue this year. The Duke Road Race Rankings now in its 17th year of competition, having first been run in 2002, has a total of 25 rounds this year held in Northern Ireland, Eire, England, the Czech Republic, Finland and Germany. Over
9776-555: Was begun in 1955. The success of American racers such as Phil Hill and Dan Gurney in Formula One in the late 1950s sparked to a renewal of interest in road racing in the United States and, led to the construction of new road racing circuits such as Riverside International Raceway , Road America and Laguna Seca . The 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix was held at the Daytona International Speedway and led to increased international prominence for
9880-477: Was conveying police officers to officiate at the scene of a fatality involving Dan Kneen . Mercer was unconscious for five days and hospitalised for five months due to multiple injuries. He was one of seven riders who had been halted on the course and turned back by marshals, being instructed to proceed back to the TT Grandstand area in the reverse direction after the red flag stoppage . Immediately after
9984-541: Was developed by the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development and the Auto-Cycle Union for historic racing motorcycles, and along with the Manx Grand Prix , it formed part of the 'Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling' held in late August of each year. The Classic TT brand ceased operation prior to the 2022 event, with classes for historic racing motorcycles integrated into the Manx Grand Prix. The TT
10088-482: Was formed by several European automobile clubs. In 1904 the FIM created the international cup for motorcycles. The first international motorcycle road race took place in 1905 at Dourdan , France. After disagreeing with Bennett Cup organizers over regulations limiting the number of entrants, the French automobile manufacturers responded in 1906 by organizing the first French Grand Prix race held at Le Mans. During
10192-624: Was held on July 22, 1894, from Paris to Rouen , France. The first held in the United States was a 54-mile competition from Chicago to Evanston , Illinois and return, held on November 27, 1895. By 1905, the Gordon Bennett Cup , organized by the Automobile Club de France , was considered the most important race in the world. In 1904, the Association Internationale des Automobiles Clubs Reconnus
10296-428: Was in place for 2019. From 1915 to 1919, and 1940 to 1946, no TT events took place, due to the outbreak of World Wars I and II . Events continued from 1920 to 1939 and 1947 to 2000. Since TT 1947, the Isle of Man TT has only been cancelled three times: 2001, 2020 and 2021, all of which were due to viral outbreaks. The 2001 Isle of Man TT races were cancelled because of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in
10400-430: Was killed while competing in the 1972 Isle of Man TT , it sparked a rider's boycott of the event led by multi-time world champion, Giacomo Agostini , a close friend of Parlotti. Once the most prestigious race of the year, the event was increasingly boycotted by the top riders, and in 1976, the Isle of Man TT finally succumbed to pressure for increased safety in racing events and had its world championship status revoked by
10504-718: Was named the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy. The event was organised by the Auto-Cycle Club over 10 laps of the Isle of Man St John's Short Course of 15 miles 1,470 yards for road-legal 'touring' motorcycles with exhaust silencers, saddles, pedals and mudguards. From 1911, the Isle of Man TT transferred to the much longer Snaefell Mountain Course of 37.40 miles (60.19 km) (current length 37.73 miles (60.72 km)). Its elevation goes from near sea-level to 1,300 feet (400 m). The race programme developed from
10608-537: Was nicknamed "The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart , due to its challenging nature. The sinuous track layout of the Charade circuit caused some drivers like Jochen Rindt in the 1969 French Grand Prix to complain of motion sickness , and wear open face helmets just in case. In 1949 the FIM introduced the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship with the 1949 Isle of Man TT being the inaugural event. With
10712-724: Was no racing on the Isle of Man between 1940 and 1945 due to the Second World War . It recommenced with the Manx Grand Prix in 1946 and the Isle of Man TT in 1947, with a greatly expanded format that included the new Clubman's TT races. The Isle of Man TT became part of the FIM Motor-cycle Grand Prix World Championship (now MotoGP ) as the British round of the World Motor-Cycling Championship during
10816-537: Was only resolved at the final round in the Southern hemisphere when the chequered flag fell. Lincolnshire rider Ivan Lintin, riding for the R&;C Express Team took an early lead in the 2015 series after the opening round at the North Yorkshire venue remaining in front until the fourth round, the first of the International rounds, the North West 200, where seven-times Duke Rankings winner Ryan Farquhar took over at
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