Isle of Man Tourist Trophy event guide 2024

24 May -  08 June 2024

Homestay guide updated February 2024

The rider list for the Isle of Man TT 2024

The top 20 runners and riders for the 1000cc classes at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races have been revealed, with John McGuinness MBE carrying the number 1 plate once again for the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock Race 1, PE Superstock Race 2, and Milwaukee Senior TT Races.

The Honda Racing UK rider will be the first man away this year having started from number 3 in 2023, and the 23-time winner will make his 109th TT start in the opening Superbike Race.

He’s followed by Jamie Coward on the KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Honda, who is now confirmed at number 2 for each of the solo classes. At number 3 comes another Honda-mounted rider in the shape of Dean Harrison – Honda Racing UK’s newest recruit having opted to start ten seconds further back than he has done at the three previous editions of the TT.

The Honda presence continues at number 4 and 5 with the returning Ian Hutchinson (Milenco by Padgetts Motorcyles) and James Hillier (WTF Racing) respectively. And then it’s the turn of Michael Dunlop.

Continuing at his regular number 6 position, Dunlop has yet to confirm his plans for the 1000cc classes, but it’s widely assumed he’ll be on board a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP once again as he bids to become the most successful rider in TT history.

Just as he did for his TT return last year, Josh Brookes (Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing) takes the number 7 plate and will rightly be considered a podium threat. The same applies for the next BMW rider on the entry with Davey Todd (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) setting off at number 8.

Just like the Supersport class, Craig Neve (Bathams Racing Honda) is promoted up the 1000cc order to number 9 – recognition of his near 131mph in last year’s Milwaukee Senior Race – and he’ll be followed rapidly by outright lap record holder, Peter Hickman.

Starting at his customary number ten, the Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing rider has won ten of the last thirteen 1000cc races around the Mountain Course, so must start as favourite.

Manx hopes again rest with the second Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda of Conor Cummins at number 11. Behind him sits David Johnson who lines up on the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki.

At number 13 is Lee Johnston on the Ashcourt Racing Honda and then, at number 14, it’s the turn of Bathams Racing’s Michael Rutter. BMW-mounted, 2024 marks an incredible 30 years since the 7-time race winner made his TT debut.

Two of the latest riders to lap at over 130mph average around the TT Course; Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda) and Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW) start at numbers 15 and 16 respectively. Gary Johnson, who missed last year’s TT due to injury, goes next at number 17 on the Bill Smith Motors Honda.

Another 130mph first-timer in 2023, Shaun Anderson, starts at number 18 on the Team Classic Suzuki with the top twenty seeds completed by Phil Crowe (Nigel Appleyard/Agri Wash UK BMW) and Mike Browne, who is expected to confirm his machinery soon.

Top 20 for the 6-lap RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock Race 1, PE Superstock Race 2, and Milwaukee Senior TT Races at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races are:

1. John McGuinness – Honda Racing UK, Honda
2. Jamie Coward – KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan, Honda
3. Dean Harrison – Honda Racing UK, Honda
4. Ian Hutchinson – Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles, Honda
5. James Hillier – WTF Racing, Honda
6. Michael Dunlop – TBA
7. Josh Brookes – Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing, BMW
8. Davey Todd – Milwaukee BMW Motorrad, BMW
9. Craig Neve – Bathams Ales, Honda
10. Peter Hickman – Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing, BMW
11. Conor Cummins – Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles, Honda
12. David Johnson – Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki, Kawasaki
13. Lee Johnston – Ashcourt Racing, Honda
14. Michael Rutter – Bathams Ales, BMW*
15. Rob Hodson – SMT Racing, Honda
16. Dominic Herbertson – Burrows Engineering by RK Racing, BMW
17. Gary Johnson – Bill Smith Motors, Honda
18. Shaun Anderson – Team Classic Suzuki, Suzuki
19. Phillip Crowe – Nigel Appleyard Agri Wash, BMW
20. Mike Browne – TBA

Top 20 for the two 4-lap Monster Energy Supersport Races at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races is:

1. Paul Jordan - Jackson Racing, Honda
2. Jamie Coward - KTS Racing powered by Stanley Stewart Racing, Triumph
3. Dean Harrison - Honda Racing UK, Honda
4. Ian Hutchinson - Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles, Honda
5. James Hillier - Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing, Kawasaki
6. Michael Dunlop - MD Racing,Yamaha
7. Josh Brookes - Boyce Precision Engineering by Russell Racing, Yamaha
8. Davey Todd - Powertoolmate Ducati, Ducati
9. Craig Neve - Bathams Racing, Triumph
10. Peter Hickman - K2 Trooper Triumph by PHR, Triumph
11. Conor Cummins - Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles, Honda
12. David Johnson - Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki, Kawasaki
13. Lee Johnston - Ashcourt Racing,Triumph
14. Mike Browne - Boyce Precision Engineering by Russell Racing,Yamaha
15. Rob Hodson - SMT/Vehicle Recovery Services, Yamaha
16. Dom Herbertson - Burrows Engineering by RK Racing, Yamaha
17. Gary Johnson - 750, NL Motorcycles/Astro Van Centre, Suzuki
18. Shaun Anderson - Butterfields of Skipton with ARD, Suzuki
19. James Hind - North Lincs Components
20. Michael Evans - Smith Racing,Triumph

Top 20 for the 3-lap Metzeler Supertwin TT Race 1 and Entire Cover insurance Supertwin TT Race 2 at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races is:

1. Paul Jordan – Stop & Seal/Rev2Race, Yamaha
2. Jamie Coward – KTS Racing powered by Steadplan, Kawasaki
3. Pierre-Yves Bian – VAS Engine, Paton
4. Michael Rutter – Bathams Ales, Yamaha
5. Rob Hodson – SMT Racing, Paton
6. Michael Dunlop – MD Racing, Paton
7. Josh Brookes – Stop & Seal/Rev2Race, Yamaha
8. Davey Todd – Dafabet Racing, Kawasaki
9. Dominic Herbertson – Burrows Engineering by RK Racing, Paton
10. Peter Hickman – PHR Performance, Yamaha
11. Gary Johnson – Dafabet Racing, Kawasaki
12. Stefano Bonetti – VAS Engine Racing, Paton
13. Lee Johnston – Ashcourt Racing, Aprilia
14. Mike Browne – TBA
15. Victor Lopez – TBA
16. Joe Yeardsley – Team ILR by Frog Vehicle Developments, Paton
17. Joey Thompson – TBA
18. Barry Furber – DC Autos Newton, Yamaha
19. James Hind – TBA
20. Michael Evans – Golden Site Solutions Ltd, Kawasaki

Top 10 for the two 3-lap 3wheeling.media Sidecar Races at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races is:

1. Ben Birchall/Kevin Rousseau – Wyckham Blackwell/Hager, LCR Honda
2. Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley – FHO Racing, DDM Honda
3. Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe – Kelproperties, Ryde Honda
4. Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes – Bonovo Action Racing/Carl Cox Motorsport, LCR Honda
5. Dave Molyneux/Jake Roberts – Kelproperties, DMR Kawasaki
6. John Holden/Frank Claeys – Carl Cox Motorsport, Ryde KTM
7. Steve Ramsden/Matthew Ramsden – Ramsden Racing/RS Motorcycles, LCR Honda
8. Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie – ARC Newton Aycliffe/SJH Bodyworks, LCR Kawasaki
9. Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney – Dave Holden Racing, LCR Yamaha
10. Alan Founds/Rhys Gibbons – Team Founds Racing, LCR Yamaha

The PistonClick guide to accommodation, transport, viewing locations and what's racing at the Isle of Man TT 2024.

The IoM TT is due to start soon, see above, so here is the PistonClick guide to what you can expect to see if you are going in 2024, what is racing and a few top tips.

Established in 1907, the Isle of Man TT (originally Tourist Trophy – a test for “touring” motorcycles) runs on the unique 37.73 mile Mountain Course. The course consists of public roads specially closed for the event. The TT is always held in the last week of May and the first week of June.

Qualifying starts on the 27th May 2024 with the first race day on the first Saturday of June the 1st. Six Race days are scheduled for the race week with rest days on Monday the 3rd and Thursday the 6th June.

IoM TT Places to visit - Paddock

Location: TT Grandstand, Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 6DA

Entrance is free and loads of official parking.

Your first port of call when Im visiting the IoM TT races is the paddock (Noble's Park) this is where all of the racers are located, the start finish line, the main grandstand with a capacity of 1,050 spectators and the score board. There are loads of food and drink outlets and well as official TT and biking gear, get your camera ready as this is the best place for those selfies with the stars.

During qualifying week the racers won't be out on the course until the early evening so arriving in the morning to watch the bikes being prepared is well worth your time.

Where to watch the TT races

Most parts of the TT circuit allows spectators to watch the racing free of charge, if you are driving or riding you can usually find parking close by on the course, usually in a field for a small fee. The locals will help you out as well, some will let you stand in their front gardens and at Kirk Michael, a fast part of the course you can rent a chair for the session from the Women’s Institute.

As the course is over 37 miles long there are loads of great locations and regular visitors will have a favourite, my advice if you are new to the TT is chat to the regular fans and find out where they are going. Your location depends on what you want to see, bikes flying past at 200mph or banked over in the corners. Just make sure you get to where you want to be before the roads close! 

As you would expect there are a lot of areas you can not watch the racing from on the course as it would be dangerous, a full list can be downloaded here. Just follow the guidance of the Marshall's and remember when you are in place and the roads are closed you are not permitted to cross the road, you will be fined but more importantly you are putting your self and the riders in danger of death!

Probably the easiest place to get to outside of the capital with plenty of room to spectate and facilities with a cafe and toilets, is the Bungalow. No transport no problem, the electric tram which you can catch in Douglas will take you right up to the track.

With a bridge to cross the road you can view from either side and visit Joey Dunlop’s memorial next to the cafe, and there is plenty of free parking for bikes and cars if you want to make your own way there. 

Below is a work in progress Interactive map of the Isle of Man TT course and viewing locations.

This map has been produced with Google Maps it is best viewed on your personal computer. It will work on your mobile phone but a lot of the features like the detailed descriptions of the viewing locations will not be available.

What's racing - Superbike

Standard production models  - 1000cc engines 200bhp.

In general the bikes must maintain the same profile as their road going counterparts, with the same overall appearance as seen from the front, rear and sides.

Teams are allowed to improve the performance of the standard bike however with the rules allowing for various levels of engine tuning and aftermarket chassis improvements.

Number Boards - White backgrounds with black numbers

Supersport

The Supersport class features machines that are lighter and less powerful than the Superbike and sees a mix of 600cc four-cylinder and 675cc three-cylinder sports based motorcycles.

The machines are allowed to be extensively modified over the production machines and can generate as much as 130bhp and require a high corner speed riding style by the competitors.

Number Boards - White backgrounds with blue numbers

Superstock

1000cc production sports motorcycles and the technical regulations are restricted to keep the machines close to the bikes you can buy in the showroom today.

Limited modifications are permitted for safety reasons but the engine, frame, and electronics remain as standard.

Considered the ultimate proving ground for the production machines, the Superstock class is one that is very important for motorcycle manufacturers.

Number Boards - Red backgrounds with white numbers

Supertwin

Twin-cylinder 700cc machines derived from middleweight road going motorcycles turned into racing machines by tuners and engineers with extensive performance adaptations for the challenges of the TT Mountain Course.

The Supertwin machines are the newest addition at the TT, with the best machines making around 90bhp.

This class of racing requires pinpoint accuracy for a fast lap.

Number Boards - Green backgrounds with white numbers

Sidecar

600cc 4-cylinder.

675cc 3-cylinder.

900cc parallel-twin engines.

                              Any colour

Healthcare in The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man and the UK have a reciprocal agreement in place where Isle of Man residents visiting the UK, and UK residents visiting the Isle of Man have the assurance of receiving free emergency healthcare.

Although treatment is free, repatriation (return travel to someone's home country) has never been included as part of the reciprocal agreement, and this remains the case today.

Because of this, all UK residents who travel to the Isle of Man (including on business) should ensure that they have adequate insurance in place in the event of repatriation being required, as this can be a considerable expense ranging from the cost of a ferry ticket, to the hire of a private Air Ambulance which can cost as much as £20,000.

Mobile Roaming costs in The Isle of Man

Some mobile operators will not charge you for using data or making a call in the IoM others will. I would recommend you check with your provider as costs can get quite high if the IoM in not included in your plan. Example costs from Virgin in 2023 are 30p per minute for calls and 50p per megabyte for data.

Sure a Jersey, Guernsey and IoM telecom compony will sell you a pre-paid sim card with unlimited text, £10 of phone calls and data. I found this to be more than enough for 10 days on the Island and Im a heavy data user. They also had offers of unlimited data if you download their app and spend £5 online.

Obviously you will get a new telephone number but all of your social media, WhatsApp and the like will be unaffected. Sure have shops in Douglas and were located in the information centre at the back of the grandstand in 2023. 

Transport on The Isle of Man

Taxis can be found in the majority of the main towns and villages in the Island.

Or if you’d rather explore on your own accord, there’s an extensive bus network - Bus Vannin – that serves the whole Island on a regular basis including Ronaldsway Airport and the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

The best way to get around the Isle of Man is to purchase a Go Explore card which allows you to travel seamlessly across all Isle of Man Transport scheduled bus and rail services.

Go Explore card holders can experience unlimited travel on scheduled services of the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Horse Trams and buses.

You can get a Go Explore card online or in person from the Welcome Centre in Douglas Sea Terminal, the airport information desk, main stations and the House of Manannan in Peel. 

The links below will take you to the IoM Bus and Train web pages where you can plan your visit. 

Previous IoM TT PistonClick Reports