Ramsey Hairpin
Encyclopedia
Ramsey Hairpin is situated between the 24th Milestone and 25th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course
used for the Isle of Man TT
Races on the A18
Snaefell Mountain Road in the parish of Lezayre
in the Isle of Man
.
The A18 Snaefell Mountain Road was developed in the mid-nineteenth century from a number of pre-existing tracks and bridle paths. As this section of the A18 Mountain Road is purpose built from Whitegates
to the Gooseneck
, it reflects typical nineteenth highway and railway construction practices including the building of a purpose built Hairpin turn
at Ballacowle Glen on the outskirts of the town of Ramsey
. The Ballacowle Glen later renamed Elfin Glen to attract tourist was purchased by the Isle of Man Forestry, Lands and Mines Board in 1963 along with the nearby Lhergy Frissel and Claughbane Woods. The combined glens including a disused slate quarry, cover an area of 64 acres (258,999 m²) on steeply sided mountain-side slopes with many different species of Deciduous
and Coniferous trees.
The Ramsey Hairpin was part of the Highland Course and the Four Inch Course
used for the Gordon Bennett Trial and Tourist Trophy
automobile car races held in the Isle of Man between 1904 and 1922. The Ramsey Hairpin is now part of the Snaefell Mountain Course used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT
and 1923 for the Manx Grand Prix
Races.
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 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 on the A18
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...
Snaefell Mountain Road in the parish of Lezayre
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...
.
The A18 Snaefell Mountain Road was developed in the mid-nineteenth century from a number of pre-existing tracks and bridle paths. As this section of the A18 Mountain Road is purpose built from Whitegates
Whitegates, Isle of Man
Whitegates is situated adjacent the 24th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races and the 15th Milestone on the primary A18 Snaefell Mountain Road in the town of Ramsey, Isle of Man in the Isle of Man....
to the Gooseneck
Gooseneck, Isle of Man
Gooseneck is situated between the 25th Milestone and 26th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road with the road junction with the tertiary D28 Hibernia Road in the parish of Maughold in the Isle of Man.The...
, it reflects typical nineteenth highway and railway construction practices including the building of a purpose built Hairpin turn
Hairpin turn
A hairpin turn , named for its resemblance to a hairpin/bobby pin, is a bend in a road with a very acute inner angle, making it necessary for an oncoming vehicle to turn almost 180° to continue on the road. Such turns in ramps and trails may be called switchbacks in American English, by analogy...
at Ballacowle Glen on the outskirts of the town of Ramsey
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
. The Ballacowle Glen later renamed Elfin Glen to attract tourist was purchased by the Isle of Man Forestry, Lands and Mines Board in 1963 along with the nearby Lhergy Frissel and Claughbane Woods. The combined glens including a disused slate quarry, cover an area of 64 acres (258,999 m²) on steeply sided mountain-side slopes with many different species of Deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
and Coniferous trees.
The Ramsey Hairpin was part of the Highland Course and the 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 1922. The Ramsey Hairpin is now part of the Snaefell Mountain Course 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 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.