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Feature: British island gears up to host iconic motorcycle races

Xinhua, June 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

It's a sleepy self-governing island of 88,000 people halfway between England and Ireland, invaded by Viking warriors more than 1,000 years ago.

For the next week, the normal peace and tranquility of the Isle of Man will be shattered by a 21st century invasion. Around 40,000 motor cyclists from around the world have converged on the small island in the Irish Sea for what has become an annual pilgrimage.

With the teams, officials and helpers it means the population of the small island swells by 50 percent for the duration of the iconic event.

They arrive by ferries for one of the most spectacular racing events in the world, the annual Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy (TT).

Most of the twisting roads on the island remain closed, becoming an incredible 62 km race track that takes in mountain passes and rugged coastlines, with scary hairpin bends. The route also takes in main streets of towns and villages.

Last year, motor cyclist John McGuinness set a new lap record of 17 minutes 3.567 seconds, giving an average speed of around 212 km/h. This year 44-year-old McGuinness is back seeking more TT glory.

The racing is not for the fainthearted. In its history the TT event has claimed the lives of 141 motorcyclists, including one visiting motorcyclist riding the course earlier this week.

Normally the island, with its medieval castles and rural landscape, is a holiday venue for people wanting an escape from a hectic life, and to visit its many tourist attractions.

The island boasts the world's oldest continuous parliament, known as the Tynwald. Started in Viking times, Tynwald continues with open air meetings where islanders gather to hear the laws, seek justice, or speak their thoughts.

But until June 10, the pace of life on the Isle of Man changes dramatically.

This is likely to be McGuinness's final year as a TT racer, ending 20 years of racing around the island.

In one media interview on Friday he said: "I don't want to go on forever. This is my 20th anniversary and I've been loyal to everybody. It is an addiction."

"If you go down the bottom of Bray Hill and see the bikes come past, inches from your face at 266 km/h and don't enjoy it, you're not alive," said the TT favorite from northern England.

The TT was born more than 100 years ago after the British government imposed speed limits on British roads, making racing on the British mainland impossible. The authorities on Mann welcomed the idea of racing with open arms, and the event continues to grow every year. Endit