For some, the thrill of speed exceeds the risk at the 2016 Isle of Man TT
Since its inception, the Isle of Man TT race has killed over 200 motorcycle riders. Despite the dangers, the riders keep coming and testing their nerves and courage against their skills and luck.
In the 2016 Isle of Man, which just wrapped up, there were a total of five rider fatalities, which is just one shy of the record of six fatalities, achieved in 1970.
Former TT winner and sidecar driver, Ian Bell was racing with his 27 year old son when he was killed in a crash at Ballapur. The father of two and motorcycle dealer from Bedlington, Northumberland had achieved five podium finishes in his career. His son Carl, was also reportedly uninjured.
Andrew Soar, of Loughborough, Leicestershire was killed in the senior race at Keppel Gate. The 32-year old racer was described as an ‘experienced rider’. Ian was the fourth fatality in the race while Andrew as the fourth.
Sidecar driver Dwight Beare, 27 and motorcyclist Paul Shoesmith, 50 were both killed the first day of the races on June 4, 2016.
There was also some good news to emerge from the race. Rider Michael Dunlap ran the 39-mile Isle of Man TT race in 16 minutes and 5825 seconds averaging 133.393 miles per hour.
Last month, Dean Martin, 58, was killed in the practice race for the Pre-TT classic, bringing the total number of fatalities in the 2016 Isle of Man TT to five.
