Extreme Speed – Going Beyond Vision

Q: HOW DOES THIS FIT INTO DRIVER EDUCATION? HMMM.

A: How about a DIFFERENT way to drive?

Go to YOUTUBE and do a search for “ISLE OF MAN.”

allows them to navigate the circuit at extreme speeds despite limited real-time visibility

The lights are on but no one’s home

Isle of Man TT Race

231 lost their lives to date

it is a reality that you might not come back from

speed and glory

crashed at 120 mph

1907 Tourist Trophy was born

speed & glory

I broke my back and was back at the TT the following year

it looks like it’s going to be game over at any moment

“How to master the Isle of Man TT’s 37 miles as a rookie” – The Race (www.the-race.com)

Summary: This article features insights from racers like Andrew Irwin, who discusses the rigorous preparation required to master the challenging 37-mile TT course. Key points include:

• Memorization Process: Racers spend approximately two months dedicated to learning the course. This involves both in-person practice and virtual simulations.
• Use of Onboard Videos: Irwin emphasizes the importance of studying onboard laps from experienced racers such as John McGuinness. These videos help build a detailed mental map of the course, allowing racers to anticipate turns and landmarks.
• Mental Schemas: Due to the high speeds, racers cannot rely solely on real-time visual cues. Instead, they depend on deeply ingrained mental schemas that guide their actions based on memorized sections of the course.
• Physical and Cognitive Demands: The preparation is not just mechanical but also heavily cognitive, requiring racers to internalize the sequence of corners and straights to react instinctively during the race.

Key Quote:

“I watch John’s onboard lap all the time… It’s like muscle memory, the sound, and you think, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t be flat out there because it doesn’t sound familiar’.”

“At The Races / Isle of Man TT: Getting There, A First Timer’s Guide” – Adventure Rider (www.advrider.com)

Summary: While primarily focused on providing logistical advice for first-time attendees of the TT races, this guide also touches upon the complexities racers face in preparing for the event. Highlights include:

• Course Complexity: The TT course encompasses over 200 corners, making it one of the most challenging racing circuits in the world.
• Preparation Strategies: Racers must balance logistical planning (such as travel and accommodation) with intensive training sessions to familiarize themselves with the course layout.
• Practice Sessions: Emphasis on the necessity of multiple practice runs to build confidence and refine racing lines, contributing to the overall two-month preparation period.

“What it takes to race at the IOM TT.” – 44Teeth (www.44teeth.com)

Summary: This article delves into the technical, logistical, and mental preparations necessary for competing in the Isle of Man TT. Key aspects include:

• Bike Familiarity: Racers must be intimately familiar with their bikes, often customizing setups to suit the specific demands of the TT course.
• Team and Support: Successful TT racers typically have a dedicated support team, including mechanics and crew members who assist with bike maintenance and strategy.
• Budget Considerations: Competing in the TT requires significant financial investment, covering costs such as bike setup, travel, accommodation, and safety gear.
• Mental Preparation: Beyond physical training, racers develop detailed mental maps of the course, enabling them to navigate high-speed sections with limited visibility by relying on muscle memory and anticipatory actions.

Key Insights:

• Mental Schemas: Similar to the insights from The Race article, this source highlights the importance of mental preparation, where racers rely on memorized sections of the course to make split-second decisions at high speeds.
• Safety Measures: Emphasis on the need for robust safety protocols, given the inherently dangerous nature of the TT races.

These articles collectively illustrate the multifaceted preparation required for TT Isle of Man racers. The combination of extensive memorization, mental conditioning, technical expertise, and logistical planning underscores why racers often spend around two months preparing to master the course. Their ability to “drive into the schema” they’ve memorized allows them to navigate the circuit at extreme speeds despite limited real-time visibility.