FROM WHERE TO SEE
THE PRACTICE AND RACING
In the years I have been visiting the TT, I have watched Practice and Racing from many vantage spots, some now not open to the public owing to buildings springing up and places being closed on "safety grounds"..
It is sad that so many great vantage spots are no longer accessible. In my early days it was possible to get a coach up to the Creg, tell the driver we were one way only...and then walk all the way back to the grandstand through the fields...This would take the full time of the big race and we could see the leaders go through, then move on down each lap to see them go through a different place... A large house was built at Hillberry which took out one great viewing and photography spot. We could buy refreshments but were not allowed into the trackside garden. Then Signpost Corner and Bedstead Corner were developed for housing and it became impossible to do as we had done in other years. Signpost has recently been closed to spectators and it is a great shame.
 I recommend you see at least one race from a seat in the Grandstand (not expensive) - you will see and learn so much to show you how a TT works as a time trial and not a massed start race. Riders are dispatched at set intervals and their individual lap times are recorded, in the old days by stopwatch, now by electronic transponders....In this way we can see each TT race developing and often the first man home may not be the winner. You can see pit stops and all the pre- and post-race activities.
Also behind the Grandstand you can do a walkabout round the motorhome and marquee areas where the riders teams have the bikes on view. You can get some great photographs of mechanics working on the bikes, autographs and the chance to chat to the top riders. In the early days we could watch a "weigh-in" when the riders presented their bikes, leathers and helmets the day prior to the race for clearance, the bikes then being stored overnight in big secure tents only accessible on the morning of the race. In the earlier days when there was early morning practice there was the famous Marquee where everybody,nd that means everybody, ended up to warm hands on cups of hot soup (Oh the Oxtail !) Coffee or Tea. Many lit up a cigarette or two...Riders would brush shoulders with sponsors and journalists and a number of spectators who were up at that ungodly hour.  Behind the Grandstand are shops, stands, vans selling food and drink and there is the famous Beer Tent !
MY FAVOURITE PLACES - (A MIXTURE OF PICTURES)
BRAY HILL (ALL THE WAY DOWN - DIFFERENT ACCESS ROADS)
QUARTER BRIDGE - THE FIRST CORNER
BRADDAN BRIDGE (OLD CHURCH SIDE) PAY A NOMINAL CHARGE
GLEN HELEN - COMMENTARY POINT
CROSBY HOTEL (PUB) - GOOD VIEW, GOOD FOOD, BARBECUE !
CRONK y VODDEE TO 11TH MILESTONE - GOOD PARKING, GOOD FOOD
THE RAVEN AT BALLAUGH - THE BRIDGE AND PUB GROUNDS
THE MITRE AT KIRK MICHAEL - AND THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE
THE SULBY GLEN HOTEL - FAST, FAST, FLAT OUT !!!
PARLIAMENT SQUARE - RAMSEY
THE SWAN AT RAMSEY - GREAT PLACE TO WATCH AND LISTEN
THE BUNGALOW AND VERANDAH - GOOD WALK IN GOOD WEATHER
WINDY CORNER - FAST AND IMPRESSIVE BEND
CLARKS CORNER AT KEPPEL GATE - MY FAVOURITE SPOT
CREG NY BAA UP TO KEPPEL GATE - LONG WALK BUT GOOD
CREG NY BAA DOWN TO BRANDISH - LONG WALK BUT GOOD
CRONK NY MONA - FROM WHERE THEY NOW NOTIFY THE GRANDSTAND
GOVERNORS BRIDGE - SLOW BUT PRESENTS TWO OR THREE VIEWING POINTS
GLENCRUTCHERY ROAD - SOME PARTS ARE GOOD VIEWING POINTS
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE BUT SOME ARE NOW INACCESSIBLE
For 2012 Grandstands (set cost per seat) are being built at a set of newer vantage spots. I am yet to assess these..
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:::
"Five spectacular spectator areas have been designated as ‘Fan Zones’ for the 2012 Isle of Man TT, fuelled by Monster Energy, and each will have a temporary grandstand.
The grandstands will have capacity of between 200 and 300 seats each, supplementing the main TT Grandstand on Glencrutchery Road.
The areas have been selected for the stunning views of the on-track action and represent some of the fastest points on the course. As well as a temporary grandstand, they will also feature catering and toilet facilities, free WiFi, free parking and enhanced PA systems relaying the Manx Radio TT live race commentary.
The five – Crosby Jump, Rhencullen, Ballacrye, Ginger Hall and Creg-ny-Baa – are all iconic spots with clear views of the action. Crosby Jump sees riders routinely clocking 180mph as they tackle the crest in the road; Rhencullen, situated north of Kirk Michael, is one of the most spectacular sections of the course, while Ballacrye – a double apex taken in sixth gear - is widely recognised as one of the most demanding points on the course.
The final two ‘fan zones’, both next to famous pubs, are two of the most recognisable landmarks on the course – Ginger Hall at the edge of Sulby village and the Creg-ny-Baa at the end of the Mountain section of the course.
The Grandstand at Ginger Hall offers a clear view of the riders tackling the late apex lefthander on the way into Ramsey, while spectators at the Creg will see the riders as they approach from Kate’s Cottage and the sweeping run downhill into Brandish"
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