TT 1975
Mick Grant rewrote the record books in 1975 when he smashed Mike Hailwood's eight-year-old record.
He waited until the second lap of the final race of the week, the six-lap Classic, in which he rode a three-cylinder Kawasaki, to establish new record of 109.82mph.
Unfortunately his chain broke on the next circuit and Yamaha mounted John Williams took the lead. After less than a lap Tony Rutter moved ahead, but his race ended on the fifth lap when the chain came off as his Yamaha jumped Ballaugh Bridge. Williams went on to secure a popular victory from Percy Tait and Charlie Sanby.
Earlier in the week Grant had won the postponed Senior on a Kawasaki. Chas Mortimer (Yamaha) was the early leader, but dropped back after a lengthy pit stop, allowing John Williams into the lead with Grant second. The Yorkshireman pushed the Kawasaki to the front on lap five and crossed the line with over half a minute to spare from Williams, with Mortimer fighting back to third.
Charlie Williams and Scotsman Alex George went at it hammer and tongs in the five-lap Junior. Their dice ended when George crashed at the 33rd Milestone on the last lap. He was helicoptered to hospital, but luckily was not seriously injured. Williams won easily from Chas Mortimer and Tom Herron. All three rode Yamahas.
Tough Scot George was back in action in the three-lap 250cc event and eventually finished a brave fifth. Chas Mortimer led all the way, with Derek Chatterton pipping John Williams for second.
The Production event was increased to an amazing ten laps, making it the longest-ever TT race. Two riders shared the distance on one machine, and Alex George and Dave Croxford continued Slippery Sam's amazing TT exploits by winning the 750cc class. Charlie Williams and Eddie Roberts won the closely contested 500cc class on a Honda, with Chas Mortimer and Billy Guthrie giving Yamaha victory in the 250cc class, which was run over just nine laps.
The BMW stranglehold was finally broken in the 500cc sidecar class, with Rolf Steinhausen just beating Mac Hobson to the line. Steinhausen, aboard his Konig-powered outfit, smashed the lap record on his first lap, but Hobson, having made a slow start on his Yamaha, was soon applying pressure. On his second lap he upped the record to 96.71mph, but failed by just four seconds to catch Steinhausen at the finish.
The four-stroke BMWs fought back in the 1000cc sidecar event. Steinhausen and Schauzu were battling it out to the finish when Steinhausen, who was around five seconds behind, retired at the Verandah on the last lap. Dick Greasley and Cliff Holland were second on their Yamaha, with brothers Gerry and Nick Boret third.