26th Milestone
Encyclopedia
26th Milestone is a corner on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Lezayre
in the Isle of Man
between the 25th and 27th Milestone the road-side milestone markers used for the Isle of Man TT
Races. The right-hand corner was re-named 'Joey's' in honour of Joey Dunlop
, a 26 time winner of the Isle of Man TT
motorcycle races.
This corner and the steep up-hill section of the primary A18 Mountain Road was part of the Highland Course and Four Inch Course
used for the Gordon Bennett Trial and Tourist Trophy
automobile car races held in the Isle of Man between 1904 and 1911. Also, the 26th Milestone is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course
used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT
and Manx Grand Prix
Races.
The Mountain Road was developed in the mid-19th century from a number of pre-existing roads and bridle paths. This included the building of a number of sheep-gates including the East Mountain Gate, the Beinn-y-Phott sheep-gate and Keppel Gate
. The primary A18 Mountain Road section road from Keppel Gate
to Park Lewellyn is a product of the Disaforesting Commission of 1860 which includes the distinctive road embankments and road grading. A small-size metal milestone from the period of James Garrow as Isle of Man Surveyor-General was situated at the 26th Milestone as the 13th milestone road marker on the primary A18 Mountain Road.
A serious incident occurred at the 26th Milestone during the 2007 Isle of Man TT
Races. An accident on lap 5 of the Senior TT
race resulted in the death of competitor Marc Ramsbotham riding a Suzuki. Two spectators, Dean Jackob and Gregory Kenzig were also killed and TT Race marshals, Hilary Musson and Janice Phillips were injured.
The Isle of Man Constabulary investigation into the deaths led to the arrest of marshall on the suspicion of manslaughter, although the individual was later released without charge. Further safety work was carried-out at the 26th Milestone for the 2007 Manx Grand Prix
with the removal of part of a grass bank and a new race marshals shelter created by the Isle of Man Department of Transport. During the winter of 2007, the 26th Milestone road-side marker, the A18 Mountain Road metal 13th milestone and Mountain Course marker board were also removed from the site.
Lezayre
Lezayre is a parish in the Sheading of Ayre and lies central and north in the Isle of Man. The parish is bounded by Michael and Ballaugh to the west, Andreas and Bride to the north, the town of Ramsey and the parishes of Lonan and Maughold to the east, and Braddan to the south...
in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
between the 25th and 27th Milestone the road-side milestone markers used for the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
Races. The right-hand corner was re-named 'Joey's' in honour of Joey Dunlop
Joey Dunlop
William Joseph "Joey" Dunlop, OBE , was a world champion motorcyclist from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland, best known for road racing. Referred to throughout the sport as "Joey", in 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News...
, a 26 time winner of the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
motorcycle races.
This corner and the steep up-hill section of the primary A18 Mountain Road was part of the Highland Course and Four Inch Course
Four Inch Course
Four-Inch Course is a road-racing circuit first used for the 1908 Tourist Trophy Race for racing automobiles. The races were held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
used for the Gordon Bennett Trial and Tourist Trophy
RAC Tourist Trophy
The International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
automobile car races held in the Isle of Man between 1904 and 1911. Also, the 26th Milestone is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course
Snaefell mountain course
Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races held in the Isle of Man from 1911 and 1923 respectively. The racing is held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
and Manx Grand Prix
Manx Grand Prix
The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...
Races.
The Mountain Road was developed in the mid-19th century from a number of pre-existing roads and bridle paths. This included the building of a number of sheep-gates including the East Mountain Gate, the Beinn-y-Phott sheep-gate and Keppel Gate
Keppel Gate
Keppel Gate is situated adjacent to the 34th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
. The primary A18 Mountain Road section road from Keppel Gate
Keppel Gate
Keppel Gate is situated adjacent to the 34th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
to Park Lewellyn is a product of the Disaforesting Commission of 1860 which includes the distinctive road embankments and road grading. A small-size metal milestone from the period of James Garrow as Isle of Man Surveyor-General was situated at the 26th Milestone as the 13th milestone road marker on the primary A18 Mountain Road.
A serious incident occurred at the 26th Milestone during the 2007 Isle of Man TT
2007 Isle of Man TT
The 2007 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the Centenary event which ran between 26 May and 8 June 2007. The first event was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and was called the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy run by the Auto-Cycle Club on the St...
Races. An accident on lap 5 of the Senior TT
Senior TT
The Senior Tourist Trophy is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festival and takes place on the Friday of race week. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars...
race resulted in the death of competitor Marc Ramsbotham riding a Suzuki. Two spectators, Dean Jackob and Gregory Kenzig were also killed and TT Race marshals, Hilary Musson and Janice Phillips were injured.
The Isle of Man Constabulary investigation into the deaths led to the arrest of marshall on the suspicion of manslaughter, although the individual was later released without charge. Further safety work was carried-out at the 26th Milestone for the 2007 Manx Grand Prix
2007 Manx Grand Prix
-Senior Manx Grand Prix Leaderboard and Practice Times:-Newcomers Race A:Monday 27 August 2007 – Mountain Course 4 laps – 150.92 miles * Four-stroke Four-cylinder motorcycles exceeding 550 cc and not exceeding 750 cc....
with the removal of part of a grass bank and a new race marshals shelter created by the Isle of Man Department of Transport. During the winter of 2007, the 26th Milestone road-side marker, the A18 Mountain Road metal 13th milestone and Mountain Course marker board were also removed from the site.
External links
- Cruickshanks to Guthries with Steve HislopSteve HislopSteven 'Hizzy' Hislop was a Scottish motorcycle racer. Hislop won the Isle of Man TT eleven times and also the British 250cc Championship and British Superbike championship ....
, 11 times TT winner - TT Spectator Guide Section The Gooseneck to The Black Hut
- Map of course