Is the Isle of Man TT the MOST DANGEROUS Racing Event Ever? | Craig Doyle | The Big Jim Show

TV presenter Craig Doyle opens up on the both the horrors and the joys of reporting on the Isle of Man TT Motorcycle race, and why he eventually had to stop doing it.
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[@stewy62]

Anyone watching this video who is not a motorcycle road racing fan would be forgiven for gaining the impression that all the Dunlops mentioned died at the TT, whereas their tragic deaths were at other road racing events.

[@harrypalmer7169]

The Isle of Man TT Races 2023 Monday 29th May - Saturday 10th June 2023. Good luck to all the riders and teams. Looking forward once again to the greatest Race on Earth.

[@hjkman2511]

Being from the Isle of Man it’s one of the things I look forward to each year. I’m a photographer for riders in the TT/southern 100 and the manxgp so know what he means by the feeling of riders getting injured and sadly getting killed. But we all love it and there’s no stopping that feeling. You need to come to the island to experience it and we guarantee that you’ll be back.

[@Knightmare239]

If I could find cheap flights I would love to go. Tickets going for $1500 right now 😢

[@hjkman2511]

@@Knightmare239 yeah it’s not cheap. Manxgp is always cheaper but it’s slower. But it’s good for different reasons you get to see classic bikes

[@eamonnadams4576]

Very articulate and sensitively put across with so much respect for the raiders and families. Big respect for you Craig 💯 👍

[@nickblackburn1903]

This is an excellent balanced interview and discussion. Having grown up on the Billown course and my family being involved in racing since the 1920's, I ride a motorcycle as did my brother, my dad, his dad, his mum(RAF dispatch) and my great granddad and also my great great uncle who rode across Canada in the 20's to prove a point.. The TT races are insane, dangerous, ruthless, unforgiving and absolutely amazing. So who are we to judge those who embrace it as their passion. I lost my brother in a motorcycle accident when I was 17, he was 23. If I could turn back time to tell him on that morning not to ride, I wouldn't. I miss him often, and every time I feel myself going too fast, he mentally taps me on the shoulder and slows me down. It has made me respect the bike, the road and life in general. But I support the racing, and always will. Namaste

[@SpuddyIRL]

What point did your great grandad prove

[@nickblackburn1903]

​@@SpuddyIRL the first tyred vehicle to cross Canada. Everyone told him it was impossible.

[@Tinfoiltomcat]

​@@nickblackburn1903how sick 😂

[@BAYLEY161]

@@Tinfoiltomcat you’re a dork

[@devilsoffspring5519]

@@nickblackburn1903 If that's true, then that's pretty kickass for the day :)

[@connormawhinney1179]

Brilliant interview but I’ve one correction for you. Joey Dunlop is the greatest TT rider of all time, without doubt

[@Onlymole]

Naw mate joey was an exceptional rider but he wasn’t the best…

[@manx1569]

@@Onlymole Michael Dunlop? level on wins with JM (noone counts JM's Zero wins)

[@bluebee7689]

@@manx1569 totally agree

[@bluebee7689]

@@Onlymole yes he was and still king of the mountain #3

[@mikemccord72]

​@Jordan Stirling jm is a legend and my hero but joey was better.

[@artbyamyk]

Going to the TT is on my bucket list. I live in the United States. I got into watching videos of the TT on KZbin and it was insane and then I watched Closer to the Edge and and that blew my mind and gave me a much deeper respect for the people that participate in the TT. People think they're nuts, but honestly the TT riders just have the deepest passion for life that I've ever seen and they're doing something they love that's literally embedded into their soul into their bones.. It's mind-blowing to watch.

[@amjbzx7]

Great interview. Glad the point was made about how personal the TT is to the riders, families and teams involved. Who are we to judge on whether the event should take place. I'd massively recommend listening to the Chasin' the Racin' podcast. It's hosted by roads racer Dom Herbertson and was created along with his pal Chrissie Rouse, who tragically lost his life last year. Amazingly the pod is still going, very much as a tribute to Chrissie, so really worthwhile listening to all the episodes, especially those involving the TT racers.

[@thetoad46]

I agree 100% infact I would love to see you interview either Dom Herbertson or Lee Johnston. Both I think would make excellent guests. I will loins out however you are way out on your speeds 200mph at the very most.

[@NAFIGGAMING]

Found this randomly and growing up on two wheels I can fully understand the drive the race and the pure thrill of it. This interview will bring a tear to your eyes with the stark realization of it all.

[@neutzz2008]

Before I die I will see this event. Before I knew of this race I used to think I was a badass. These dudes have balls of steel

[@devilsoffspring5519]

There are probably a LOT of people that think they're pretty badass until they find out about the TT :)

[@user-sv4rp3yd4x]

I've got family that compete in the TT every year, and I've been to watch, and it truly is incredible how fast they are going and how scary it is

[@markperry222]

This is probably the best interview I have ever seen, and I am in my 60s so I have seen a few. Thanks Jim.

[@harrymelad942]

Wow, what an interview. I love the TT and am in awe of the riders - balls of steel. I got very emotional watching this, which is not like me. Also, if Craig Doyle ever needs to widen his career options, he could become a double for Tom Cruise - the physical likeness, mannerisms and cadence of his speech are uncanny.

[@akilagun1]

What a great interview and insight. Great examples of exactly what the TT is all about. I experienced it all first hand last year and was totally totally blown away. The skill that these riders posses is unreal. Words cannot do it justice. You have to experience it first hand. They are truly skilled, calculated and fearless human beings doing what they love on the best stretch of road in the world.

[@stevehislop1]

Craig you described things brilliantly on the TT. Good interview

[@loneridar]

Joey is king. No disrespect John.

[@user-zu6qn9ux9n]

John would not feel disrespected. He’s said many times joey was the one he looked up to!!

[@MrRobertnash27]

MD now

[@Bobbibouchersmumwasright]

That was described in a brilliant way… what a good subject Jim

[@jabjabgrab123]

Brilliant story telling

[@Team-fabulous]

So what if its dangerous.. Its not about the danger, its about the racing. Stop this negativity about the TT

[@milesdust3465]

Amazing stuff! The only thing comparable for me, being an old man is Group B in the 80's. The next thing is probably gladiators a couple of years ago.

[@ianbowie5096]

Fantastic interview and soo well explained about the passion involved....

[@leostreat3573]

Went to the North West 200 and watching those guys doing 200 mph plus shoulder to shoulder from the fence a few feet away was amazing. That's the pinnacle of Motorsport, that's coming from a huge F1 fan. These road racers are the absolute mutts nuts .

[@chrisschumacher4418]

The best explanation of this race I have ever heard. Thank you.

[@Olafjabberwocky]

Whats the best way to go, doing something like the TT that you love or like Doddy (bless him) ? ... I know which I'd pick. Get Guy Martin on and ask him the same question. It's a race like no other (Maybe Pike Peak) because you're racing against the clock and yourself.

[@RGK147]

Best quote from the tt is "there's a grey blur and a green blur and I try to stay on the grey blur" 😂

[@kennylewis8752]

John Mcguinness is an amazing rider.... I'm a huge fan. He's definitely one of the best to ever race the TT. However, Joey Dunlop is the King of the mountain.

[@bobbycars1340]

Everyone dies, but not everyone lives

[@CJRSBK]

Isle of man TT not same without Craig being the Narrator he's the man great video

[@paulgill7660]

Iam from the Isle of man very well explained good show greetings from Douglas

[@elnanobuba]

Thanks for this brilliant interview

[@manx1569]

37.73 miles Craig and Bray Hill goes downhill btw

[@CastrolHondaSP2]

Surprised that someone who had been reporting on the TT for ten years made so many errors when explaining the event. 🤦🏻‍♂️ He got the rider's and family's viewpoint across well though.

[@rider65]

People who commented on a sports event that have no experience should find something else to do

[@uptherevs679]

agreed, i like craig doyle but if your going to talk about the tt then dont make all those errors, you dont need to exagerate the speeds of the tt, they aint doing 250 mph round corners. i do miss james whithams commentry tho, its pretty shite since he n doyle went

[@buzzybee8463]

32 miles 🤔

[@blacktreevideo9472]

His lack of knowledge in that interview was mindblowing for someone who spent ten years working on the race.

[@daveclucas8738]

For a guy who has commentated on the TT for 10 years you would think that at least he would know the first two places on the course less than half a mile from where he commentated. St Ninnians Crossroads is at the TOP of Bray Hill and less than 1/2 a mile from the startline. Bray Hill is the place he is talking about the bottoming out. Its 37.72 miles long not 32 miles. These are very very basic things about the TT..John McGuinness is not the King of the Mountain, its Joey Dunlop and even John acknowledges that. The 10 years he must have spent here I have no idea where he was.

[@dahharo3565]

You must be fun at parties

[@WillCall_TRD]

@@dahharo3565😂🤘

[@stephencrawshaw8391]

What a way to describe the tt absolutely amazing and how personnel and important it is to the riders

[@ripvanwincle2258]

I lived on the IOM for 10 years and never got used to how fast they went it shocked me every year.Balls of steel the lot of them.

[@al2474]

I’ve been twice …….part of me loves it and the the other half dreads it . Craig hits the nail square on the head . Great interview……..brilliant

[@neiltitley2468]

Jim, not sure if it’s been mentioned…..as well as TT closer to the edge, watch Road, the history of the Dunlop family, narrated by Liam Neeson or read any book compiled by Steven Davison, a brilliant photographer, maybe that will understand the love and passion for the TT and road racing.

[@missydee6085]

I'd also recommend Rick Broadbent's fantastic book 'That Near Death Thing (Inside the TT: The Worlds Most Dangerous Race)'. 👍

[@gerrardkelly3655]

John McGuiness the best ever I think you will find it is Joey Dunlop 🤷

[@kickstartedwards6916]

What a great interview - thanks for that

[@sferguson1130]

Couldn’t agree more. I wish you would’ve also touched on the economic benefits, of the TT as well. Don’t quote me on the number, but I vaguely remember reading that the 2 years it didn’t run, was somewhere upwards of 230 million dollars, that Isle of Man lost out on.

[@JohnSmith-vu6zd]

Steve Hislop didn’t have the amount of wins as many others, but for me, he was the greatest of all time, what he done on the Rotary Norton in ‘92 will never be topped.

[@BaKimura03]

Wow.. I got goosebumps. What a fantastic clip

[@Bobbibouchersmumwasright]

The crash when the poor guy hits the pub wall at 125 mph is truly shocking… there are plenty of others

[@stevenartmann2642]

Bob Price, RIP

[@Stanley82211]

Bob price he was 65 years of age on a 600 supersport machine doing what he loved I knew him very well

[@Bobbibouchersmumwasright]

@@Stanley82211 as long as he was happy and had a decent innings I’m happy.. shame that brave warrior was taken so suddenly from you guys who knew him 🙌🏼

[@IsleofmanTTnut]

It wasn’t at 125 it was about 60/70 Ish he left breaking too late before ballaugh bridge

[@seanhaigh6192]

Our world has become so sanitised and "safe", nanny state looking after all the snowflakes, thats why most people don't get the TT or indeed any form of bike racing!!

[@simptube]

Great interview!

[@juliehanks-elliott8574]

Nice to know he did his homework lost 5 miles of track somewhere along the way. Plus the way keeps going on how dangerous it is the proceeds to mention all the Dunlops which none of them died at the TT

[@Daleyourma]

He never said they died at IOS TT. Jim mentioned a prominent name in the sport and how dangerous it and therefore craig mentioned the Dunlops.

[@queenslander954]

It’s up there with Aussie motorcycle Pub crawls on Sundays in the 1980’s

[@stevenmorrison8413]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT TT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING LOVE WATCHING THEM RACE ITS UNREAL

[@flwdyy]

Really interesting, cheers Hojbjerg

[@stephenwilliamson1491]

Thing about bikes its therpy doing 100mph + through country B roads is the untimate buzz and helps folk like myself cope with life. Am 35 and survived a had crash while in hospital only thing a could think about is getting out on a bike to sort my head! TT boys are just like us but on steroids and alot more talent 😂

[@reidspeed77]

Joey....king of the road 👑

[@wjolly1824]

First time I've ever heard of this race.. that is absolutely nuts, we need more documentaries and interviews like this from people who have been in it

[@N269]

Yeah, but get the real facts, not from Craig.

[@user-zu6qn9ux9n]

There’s load of interviews. Get onto the TT channel on KZbin at the very least.

[@martynjohnson8534]

Hiya Craig Dolye how R U Bro I Think yr Awesome I'm a huge Fan of yours yr an Amazing Awesome inspiration in my life now. Have an Amazing 2023. Keep Strong and keep Smiling Always Craig u have a very lovely Smile 😁 Kind Deepest Regards yr BIG BROTHER Martyn Charles Johnson in Rochford Southend in Essex UK. ❤ Craig Martyn 😁💪💪

[@lewiski1]

Really good interview and always thought Craig Doyle was a good bloke and this cements my thoughts.

[@1320crusier]

The Isle of Man TT is the ultimate race where man and machine almost meld together. I pretty much exclusively watch car racing but every year I watch one bike race and its the IoMTT. Its THE example of what racing is to people.

[@labinott]

Just to correct u the stage is 37 .78 miles ! Over 200 curves !

[@andylovatt7836]

Does that fickle comment splitting hairs make you feel noticed 😂

[@N269]

@@andylovatt7836 It's 37-3/4miles, NOT 32 miles... and that is what i is called, 37-3/4mile course, NOT a 32mile course! And, it's NOT St. Ninians, It's bottom of Bray Hill.... and yeah, there are sparks when the bike bottoms out, but it was Guy Martin who really made the bike spark..... bottom Bray Hill, then up to Agos.

[@labinott]

@@andylovatt7836 im sorry can’t notice you ! My dog was farting or it was you that said smthng ? ! 🫵🏼🤡

[@olesmokey394]

I understand the feeling i love riding at speed and crashing at speed sucks i would go out push my machine every day for 3 months straight till i had mechanical failure at 107 mph

[@Howiezat]

2023 races are live on ITVX in the Uk in a few weeks, highlights in ITV4. I doff my cap, it is organised lunacy

[@grahamwilkes8586]

i read some where that one rider would go round one corner brushing his hellment on what he thought was a headge but when he retired he went to look at it a shock horror it was a brick wall with moss growing along it

[@iwasthere2]

I liken the TT racers to big mountain climbers. They know the risks are huge but the challenge is the drug that drives them. The TT is the ultimate challenge of man and machine and long may it continue.

[@1_5RCBiker]

Climbing Everest is more dangerous and has claimed more lives. Sorry Craig Doyle but Joey is the KOTM ;)

[@mej6519]

so has big wave surfing.

[@bluebee7689]

Yeah he needs to learn more about it Joey's the king of the mountain and the course is 37.75 miles not 32. # 3

[@jpuranen1]

Death rate on climbing the Everest seems to be 1%. So 1 in 100. He said on avarage 3 dies from 86 riders, every year. And timewise you spend weeks/months on Everest and minutes/hours on TT.. anyhow

[@rogerwolstenholme2710]

I did the TT {not as a Racer. } and had a great time..... until I crashed at Waterworks.... Oooops!! had to stay ln the Pub after that, I went the following year with a new bike.... didn't crash that time!!! lol

[@jeremybr2020]

I know one of the thrills of the TT event is just how close spectators can get to the track. I have a difficult time thinking that would last. Yet it somehow does. I know that spectators have died. But the number has remained relatively low. But eventually the big one will happen and a bike will go launching into a large group, killing half a dozen and seriously injuring just as many. Some of those may be children. When that happens, will or should they change some of the rules at that time?

[@welterw8ak702]

I would imagine you would have to be laser-focused just looking at the POV Grandma's it's absolutely insane

[@farney8878]

Please anyone. I need to experience the tt just once. I'm from Ireland what is the best way to get and experience it?

[@paulgill7660]

Greetings from the Isle of man brilliant 👏 😀 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤born and bread here you are of the perfect and correct appinian thank you 😊

[@bluebee7689]

It's the best sport in the world tt is the ultimate motorcycle race. The riders love it and arnt made to ride it they want to ride it. If u haven't been get it booked

[@thatspooneater7837]

Watch "Road" the Dunlops aswell lad 100% watch Road

[@sebasguzman2372]

That's CRAZY 😮

[@bystander1489]

Quick story im 60 now have been there but my beloved parents went their on honeymoon my mum knew nothing about the racing or when its on and my dad spent the time up the mountain and around watching the tt the clever bastard

[@Lockk9]

Each Lap in almost 38 Miles / 61 km 37¾ miles.

[@sylvandespres7654]

Of course it is....but nobody is putting a gun on those guys's forhead!! those top riders love the challenge,this race...you must remember each inch of the 37.7 miles race course,that's it.from there,those guys are confident like no one else,they knows they are able to negociates with the course because they know everything about it.every pothole,every bump,every change of the tarmac's nature......it takes at least 3 years to get confortable with the track, and if you're not, you won't push the front. this is against the clock,it is you against the track,not you against the guy next to you,so it is very,very,very different than taking a start with a full grid of '''yahoos'''' willing to anything to emerge first exiting the 1st corner. people don't understand what is the nature of the isle of man TT,only the true fans understand what it really is.

[@jamesbryan1561]

Few things, 37.73 mile course. For a guy who worked there for ten years every summer he can’t even get the road names right. He definitely doesn’t know before the families do things defo said for dramatic effect which isn’t ok. He’s not there anymore for a reason

[@gama69ful]

The Dakar Rally comes close but still not in the same level as the TT

[@malcolm9650]

Where can I see all of this please?

[@vertex4491]

Gotta pay 🥲

[@fearme46]

If you want to watch live you’ve gotta pay, very cheap though. But all the old races and doco’s are free on you tube.

[@SpeedyBenjam]

Search: 'TT plus' I promise you it will be the best thing you buy this year 👍🏻

[@GT380man]

@@SpeedyBenjam Agreed - it’s extraordinary value!

[@Alien937]

37.7 miles not 32 and there's no pot holes! 🙄

[@sidekick6.6.6]

1sec in vid yes to right that's why we love it

[@lamithperera8760]

I Couldn't have described it any better

[@zeropoint546]

Up there with climbing Everest.

[@warlockwha]

well said mr Doyle

[@SpuddyIRL]

People just don’t get things like the Isle of Man Tt or the Donegal rally

[@johnnysheridan]

The less that do spuddy the more chance of preserving these events, we don't want the wider audience in on it, that brings a bigger influence of negative points of view, let's keep these things to ourselves I say🙌🏽, I'm heading down to the Rally of the Lakes in the morning with my son (his first one), then hopefully up for the NW200 in a couple of weeks, and Donegal in June

[@renorailfanning5465]

YES !!

[@money.making.mitchell]

Are they the same Dunlop that make tire's

[@doone8849]

great conversation but it's important to be accurate, 250mph? the fastest speed ever recorded is 217.5 mph by peter hickman in 2019, still incredible obviously

[@princejohnson2053]

Isle of man TT ❤Irish road racing 🔥i

[@niallireland2940]

Joey Dunlop was the king

[@Officialnrb]

37 3/4 miles and St Ninions is at the before Brae hill

[@whosyerdaddy13]

I lost interest when he said he looked cool as shit riding a Harley lol

[@sandgroper1970]

As an outsider you can say that is nuts, crazy, idiotic, to dangerous it should be banned blah, blah .. I don’t say that I just go I think each to there own. I admire the skill and dedication and love and I would say a bit of an adrenaline addiction the riders must have, cause They definitely not in the game for the prize money…. That being said if I could ride a bicycle around that course ( closed to motor vehicle traffic) I would

[@PedrSion]

37.73 miles, actually

[@liverpoolman1990]

craig missed out about 5 miles of track there youll find its 37.73 miles not 32

[@hjkman2511]

Also forgot about Joey dunlop being the most successful rider ever but it was still a good listen

[@juliehanks-elliott8574]

Yea shows how much homework he did. The fact that he mentioned all the Dunlops and none of the died at the TT

[@adambritain5774]

Harley Davidson’s are for people who aren’t in to motorcycles. And how can someone who spends 10 years covering the TT (and i’d imagine being handsomely remunerated for doing so) claim a lap is 32 miles and not 37!? The most elementary understanding of maths could tell anyone with a brain that if they’re doing 17 minute laps and averaging 2 135 MPH it can’t possibly be 32 miles.

[@adambritain5774]

And in “3 to four seconds they’re doing 160 miles an hour”. WTF are these people on!? How on earth do they end up making a decent living presenting stuff on TV that they know absolutely fuck all about. Just criminal like.

[@simonmallia2051]

ffs 2 minutes in and this guys wrong 32 miles ... its 37.73 miles

[@geecee4746]

Its almost 38 miles long per lap

[@user-zu6qn9ux9n]

37.73 miles to be precise!!

[@geoffnelson6756]

What a numptie, 32 miles? Its 37.73 miles.

[@reksubbn3961]

Pot holes? I thought they resufaced it every year.

[@johncleator2947]

Done it for ten years craig and you font know it's 37.73 miles.

[@Spondoodikins]

32 miles...

[@dubbaphatt3368]

It’s certainly not the only place where road racing exists either Interesting discussion but littered with dodgy info

[@bluebee7689]

It's 37.75 miles bro not 32

[@missydee6085]

37.73... 😉

[@bluebee7689]

Watch road