Exactly 100 years to the day after Rem Fowler and his colleagues pushed off in the first Isle of Man TT race, the village of St John’s is set for a re-enactment of the first TT races.
At 10am on Monday, May 28, 2007, 100 vintage motorcycles will parade around the original TT course on closed roads, leaving in pairs at 30 second intervals, with the first bike away being the 1907 Peugeot-engined Norton machine that Rem Fowler won the twin cylinder class in the first TT races.
Spectators, fans, officials and marshals will all be wearing authentic Edwardian outfits and a town crier will keep spectators informed.
The vintage bikes, all of which were manufactured before 1940, will circuit the original 15 mile 430 yard TT course. Starting and finishing in St John’s, the bikes take in the current course from Ballacraine to Kirk Michael before turning back and heading to Peel via Devil’s Elbow and Knocksharry. They then continue on the main Peel to St John’s road.
Fans will be particularly keen to see some of the star riders taking part, including trials legend and former TT star Sammy Miller – who will be riding a TT-winning 1912 Humber V Twin 340.
Others taking part include Guy Martin (No 21), Alan Cathcart (No 59), Mick Grant (No 68) and Nick Jefferies (No 68). Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle (No 100) will be bringing up the rear on his George Formby replica ‘Shuttleworth Snap’.
The road closure, which runs from 9.30am to 12.30am, will be indicated by the Lieutenant Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks and Island’s Chief Minister Tony Brown arriving by vintage car.
At 9.50am one of the most famous TT racers of all time, six-times World Champion Geoff Duke OBE, will unveil a plaque to commemorate the Centenary on the original starting line.
The six-times TT winner will also start the parade at 10am.
Once the bikes have completed a lap they will be parked in the concourse area for fans to admire. There is also an exhibition of original course photography in the old St John’s School and a static display of vintage cars in Tynwald car park.