THE unique history of the TT Mountain Course is the subject of a new temporary exhibition at the House of Manannan and will open just in time for this year’s 100th anniversary TT Festival.
The free exhibition is expected to attract huge numbers of visitors who will be on the Island for the centenary celebrations of the TT course. The exhibition will feature everything from motorcycles, racing memorabilia, leathers and trophies to historical artefacts relating to the story of the Mountain Circuit.
‘Mountain Milestones” will look at some of the hidden histories behind the buildings around the course, along with other stories from the mountain course such as cycle racing and the TT relay walk.
The star of the show will be the 1911 Humber motorcycle, winner of the first ever race run over the mountain - the Junior TT which was won by Percy Evans. The machine is now part of the collection of the Sammy Miller Museum in the New Forest, which has kindly allowed the machine to come to the Isle of Man to form the centrepiece of this exciting exhibition.
“We are absolutely delighted that the Sammy Miller Museum has generously agreed to help us with the loan of this machine,” said Matthew Richardson, Curator of Social History. “Bringing back a motorcycle which raced here 100 years ago is a marvellous way to mark the centenary of this historic and world famous racing circuit.”
Another historic motorcycle on display as part of the exhibition will be Carl Fogarty’s Yamaha OWO1, which took part in the “greatest ever” TT race as voted by fans – the 1992 Senior TT in his epic battle with the late great Steve Hislop.
However, there are still some gaps to be filled in the story of the Mountain Course. Matthew Richardson added, “We would like to feature in some way the many charitable or fund-raising events which have taken place on the Mountain Course – things like sponsored bed pushes in aid of cancer research.
“If anyone has any memorabilia, photographs or literature related to an event of this nature, which they could lend to us, we would be very interested in hearing from them.”
Suggestions can be made by contacting Manx National Heritage on (01624) 648000 or by email: matthew.richardson@gov.im
‘Mountain Milestones’ will open on May 28 at the House of Manannan, open daily 10am-5pm. Admission to the exhibition is free.
Photos: courtesy of www.isleofmanphotos.com
