It's different in race week, as I understand it you need grandstand tickets to enter the paddock during race week... and those are pretty spendy. It was pretty good fun during practice week seeing the various teams setting up their areas and saw most of the name riders bobbing about one day or another. Also, if you didn't see MD in the Milwaukee paddock during practice week then you'll not get another chance!
Ah fair one, I guess it's an incentive for people to buy tickets. The paddock was an interesting place to be but I'd much rather see the race bikes on a good corner or over the mountain.
Paddock is free to get in, but crowded. And you don't see a lot because every other b*gger is there. But there's 37 3/4 miles of track. OK a fair bit is closed off, but lots isn't. Get an OS map, read the access details on the interweb. You can even get to a fair bit by public transport. Get out of Douglas. Parliament Square/May Hill etc are all good. I'd say the "ordinary bloke" is better catered for at the TT than a lot of sporting events. Last year I watched Josh Brookes' pit disaster from the gate at the end of pitlane. Later on I watched a bit from St Ninians (whilst the missus did some cross-stitch sitting on the traffic island with her back against the bollard...) For my money to see the course in all it's glory you need to watch 1) in the open (the mountain/the fast bit round by RhenCullen) 2) under the trees (the run into Ramsey, Quarry Bends etc) 3) in the houses (Ramsey, Kirkmichael etc). The second best view[2] is obtained in an orange tabard helping out. Mike [1] You need a mountain course licence for the best view...
This was my 23rd year there .... I did 1390 miles riding round the course including the back rd from Creg & the coast rd from Laxey [emoji4] I always go practice week now probably the last 17 years ...... Only time didn't ride was the Monday afternoon of the first week of practice when it was lashing down went to the smoke (Douglas) on the lash ! I think it looks better on the tele to be honest . ? For close road racing & a sense of speed yr better off at Nw 200 or the Ulster The paddock cool practice week everyone is just a bit more chilled out imho But I go overall just to ride the mountain as fast as I can [emoji3]
Can anyone give some advice on the Fanzone areas? Going next June for my first TT and considering buying tickets probably for the Creg na baa Fanzone seats TT 2016 Fanzone Tickets : Isle of Man TT - Official Shop Anyone done this? Would it be a good idea for the senior race?
Gorse Lea - definitely - the farm on the left (as youre going round the right way) youll see it as theres a park bench against the wall....you can get a good view of the whole corner, theres cake, tea and coffee - and toilets....definitely the best place weve been to so far!
Been to 21 TTs and 4 MGP/Classic TTs, still got some places to tick off but I still reckon on a sunny day a fast corner on the mountain is the place to watch. Park at the Creg and take a stroll up to Kates Cottage or continue further if you are feeling energetic, anywhere up to the 32nd is fine with just a radio for company. Gorseleigh is a great spot, myself and a mate once watched a race from the hedge bottom just past the Marshall's post, which was very interesting indeed. Ballaspur, Ballig, Laurel Bank, Glen Helen are all good, but some are not accessible now. Top of Barregarrow is good, bottom of Barregarrow was better - Dave Jefferies coming through there with his shoulder near to the cottage wall and the suspension bottoming out was magical. Can't go there anymore, but it used to be so popular that there was a butty van in the field on the right opposite the cottage! Rhencullen is a brilliant spot, but it was always packed when I first started going to the TT. I did manage to watch from there a couple of times at the Manx GP some years later. I like Quarry Bends and Ginger Hall too. I've not watched from Schoolhouse, but my mate tells me that Steve Hislop was pretty spectacular round there. Watched from a private garden on May Hill once that was pretty good. Waterworks - limited view but VERY close and exciting, except the day we stood there in the rain for 6 hours and saw nothing but water! One of the best spots I have been to in recent years is Marown Church Hall on the right side of the course on the 180mph left hander before Crosby. In addition to the elevated view, if you are in the company of ladies who need more than a pack of sandwiches and a hedgerow, there are chairs, superb food and cakes, proper toilets, and a very pleasant lady Vicar. I can't see me ever paying for Fanzone or Grandstand tickets until I'm too old to get to the good spots.
No one mentioned Bray Hill, thats a must for standing shaking your head and wondering how the hell they do it at that speed!!
