Governor's Bridge
Encyclopedia
Governor's Bridge is a double hairpin bend and road junction on the primary A18 Mountain Road
in the parish of Onchan
in the Isle of Man
between the 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course
and the TT Grandstand
on the primary A2 Glencrutchery Road in the town of Douglas
.
The Governor's Bridge road junction and hairpin bends is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course used since 1920 for the Isle of Man TT
and from 1923 for the Manx Grand Prix
Races. This junction was part of the Clypse Course
for the Isle of Man TT races between 1954 and 1959. It is also part of the Willaston Circuit used for cycle racing, classic car racing and used as part of timed special stage for the Rally Isle of Man
.
For the 1920 Isle of Man TT
Races, changes were made to the Mountain Course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona
and followed the primary A18 Mountain Road to Governors Bridge with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course to 37¾ miles. This included the creation of a new link road at Governor's Bridge on the primary A2 Ramsey to Douglas Road between the road junction of the newly created A18 Bemahauge Road (from Governor's Bridge to Signpost Corner
), the A2 Governor's Road/Glencrutchery Road and Victoria Road in Douglas. The new A2 link road effectively redirected the main road traffic and created the Governor's Dip a hairpin bend on the primary A2 road which was used as part of the Snaefell Mountain Course for motor-cycle racing. The new link road also created a small wooded glen on the site which is known for its distinctive horse-chestnut
trees.
For the 1954 Isle of Man TT
races, the approach to Governor's Bridge on the A18 Bemahauge Road was widened with the removal of a grass bank to accommodate the re-introduced Sidecar TT
on the Clypse Course
. During October 2007 the Isle of Man Department of Transport
began road widening at Braddan Bridge
on the Mountain Course and the creation of a roundabout. The Department of Transport also announced a proposal to build a new section of road for the Mountain Course with a link road from Signpost Corner
to Governor's Bridge using the pre-existing A18 Bemahague Road. This road widening scheme occurred between February and April 2008 with the removal of trees on the Bemahague Estate which includes Government House
, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man
and the creation of a small mini-roundabout. Further work by the Isle of Man Department of Transport in July and September 2008 included the installation of a storm drain and the completion of the mini-roundabout. The Isle of Man TT Races and Manx Grand Prix continued to use the original A18 Bemahauge Road that runs parallel to the new link road and the Governor's Dip for motor-cycle racing.
A18 road (Isle of Man)
The A18 Snaefell Mountain Road or Mountain Road is 15.30 miles long road in the Isle of Man and is a primary road which connects Douglas with Ramsey. The A18 Mountain Road is part of Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand...
in the parish of Onchan
Onchan
Onchan , is a village in the parish of Onchan on the Isle of Man. It is at the north end of Douglas Bay. Although administratively a village, it has the second largest population on the island, after Douglas, with which it forms a conurbation....
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 37th Milestone road-side marker on 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...
and the TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand including the startline, pit lane, depot and scoreboard for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races is situated on the A2 Douglas to Ramsey road in the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man....
on the primary A2 Glencrutchery Road in the town of Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
.
The Governor's Bridge road junction and hairpin bends is part of the Snaefell Mountain Course used since 1920 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 from 1923 for the 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. This junction was part of the Clypse Course
Clypse Course
The Clypse Course describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Isle of Man TT Races between 1954 and 1959.The course is 10.92 miles long and is in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man. The course uses two short sections of the Snaefell Mountain Course which includes the primary A18 road...
for the Isle of Man TT races between 1954 and 1959. It is also part of the Willaston Circuit used for cycle racing, classic car racing and used as part of timed special stage for the Rally Isle of Man
Rally Isle of Man
Rally Isle of Man is a rally competition held in the Isle of Man. It was first held in 1963, and later became a well-known event in the British Open Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship...
.
For the 1920 Isle of Man TT
1920 Isle of Man TT
The 1920 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the first to take place following World War I. Official practice sessions started on 31 May with the races taking place on 15 and 16 June....
Races, changes were made to the Mountain Course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the A21 Johnny Watterson Lane and the tertiary C10 Scholag Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of...
and followed the primary A18 Mountain Road to Governors Bridge with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course to 37¾ miles. This included the creation of a new link road at Governor's Bridge on the primary A2 Ramsey to Douglas Road between the road junction of the newly created A18 Bemahauge Road (from Governor's Bridge to Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner is a 90-degree right-hand corner and road junction and is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Bemahague Road and secondary B11 Avondale Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man.The name...
), the A2 Governor's Road/Glencrutchery Road and Victoria Road in Douglas. The new A2 link road effectively redirected the main road traffic and created the Governor's Dip a hairpin bend on the primary A2 road which was used as part of the Snaefell Mountain Course for motor-cycle racing. The new link road also created a small wooded glen on the site which is known for its distinctive horse-chestnut
Aesculus
The genus Aesculus comprises 13-19 species of woody trees and shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere, with 6 species native to North America and 7-13 species native to Eurasia; there are also several hybrids. Species are deciduous or evergreen...
trees.
For the 1954 Isle of Man TT
1954 Isle of Man TT
The 1954 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the second race in the 1954 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season and proved highly controversial for course and race changes. The 1954 Junior TT was the first race where the official race distance was reduced from 7 laps to 5 laps...
races, the approach to Governor's Bridge on the A18 Bemahauge Road was widened with the removal of a grass bank to accommodate the re-introduced Sidecar TT
Sidecar TT
The Sidecar TT is a motorcycle sidecar road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June...
on the Clypse Course
Clypse Course
The Clypse Course describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Isle of Man TT Races between 1954 and 1959.The course is 10.92 miles long and is in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man. The course uses two short sections of the Snaefell Mountain Course which includes the primary A18 road...
. During October 2007 the Isle of Man Department of Transport
Department of Transport (Isle of Man)
The Department of Infrastructure is a department of the Isle of Man Government.-History:The department was created in April 2010 from the Department of Transport....
began road widening at Braddan Bridge
Braddan Bridge
Braddan Bridge is a bridge over the river Dhoo on the Douglas-Peel road, from which a halt on the Isle of Man Railway's first line to Peel took its name.-Bridge:The bridge is a landmark on the Isle of Man TT road-race course...
on the Mountain Course and the creation of a roundabout. The Department of Transport also announced a proposal to build a new section of road for the Mountain Course with a link road from Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner is a 90-degree right-hand corner and road junction and is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Bemahague Road and secondary B11 Avondale Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man.The name...
to Governor's Bridge using the pre-existing A18 Bemahague Road. This road widening scheme occurred between February and April 2008 with the removal of trees on the Bemahague Estate which includes Government House
Government House, Isle of Man
Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man. It is situated on Governor's Road in Onchan, Isle of Man....
, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man
Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man
The Lieutenant Governor is the representative on the Isle of Man of the Lord of Mann . He/she has the power to grant Royal Assent and is styled His Excellency. In recent times the Governor has either been a retired diplomat or senior military officer...
and the creation of a small mini-roundabout. Further work by the Isle of Man Department of Transport in July and September 2008 included the installation of a storm drain and the completion of the mini-roundabout. The Isle of Man TT Races and Manx Grand Prix continued to use the original A18 Bemahauge Road that runs parallel to the new link road and the Governor's Dip for motor-cycle racing.
External links
- Competitor Guide Sections Signpost Corner to Grandstand 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 Creg-ny-Baa to Governor's Bridge
- Map of course