THE MOUNTAIN COURSE: SECTOR 1
Sector 1 of the Mountain Course covers the TT Grandstand, to Glen Helen, and is characterised by its high number of 5th and 6th-gear corners.
THE TT GRANDSTAND
Constructed on a site first established in 1920, the current TT Grandstand has stood guard over pit lane and the start/finish line for four whole decades.
Well known as one of the best vantage points, both for the action on it, and the entertainment off it. On race days, it is perhaps where the excitement is most palpable, but the Grandstand is also the spiritual home for thousands of TT fans – a place to meet friends and heroes alike, and to feel part of a unique community.
With over 600 seats of elevated viewing for spectators, those in the main grandstand can enjoy the startline action, the 180+ mph speeds on flying laps, the moments where races are won and lost in pitlane, seeing the bikes cross the finish line and the podium celebrations where heroes are crowned victorious.
In addition to the main grandstand, the fan park grandstands offer close views of the return lane, celebratory burnouts and riders within touching distance as they make their way back to parc ferme.
The TT Grandstand is also home to the TT Paddock, where fans can get up close and personal with riders and their machines - something truly unique to the TT. Grab an autograph, or head to the Monster Energy Fan Park to shop the latest official TT merchandise, witness live chat shows and games on stage, and tuck into gourmet street food and drinks.
BRAY HILL
Bray Hill. The name alone is enough to strike fear into some of the most hardened TT racers!
Located shortly after the start and finish line in the newly designated City of Douglas, Bray Hill is not only one of the most iconic and intimidating sections of the entire Mountain Course, but also the first defining landmark each competitor must negotiate.
Famous for its blind entry and plummeting descent, competitors often describe racing down Bray Hill as like riding off the edge of the world. No wonder so many TT fans make a pilgrimage to this very spot!
Those who stood in the school field just after St Ninian’s Crossroads were front and centre to that visor moment at TT 2024, which goes to show, every spectating point is worthwhile staking your claim at.
Fans at the bottom of Bray Hill can watch the racers hit the bottom of the hill at 180mph before flying up the road and over Ago’s Leap.
TT Tip! The bottom of Bray Hill is very popular with ex-racers, racers off duty, and VIPs so keep your eye out here if stargazing whilst spectating…
QUARTERBRIDGE
Quarterbridge marks the end of the initial hilly section of the Mountain Course and is significantly slower, offering fans a great view of the riders as they tackle what is a very technical turn.
Riders approach hard on the brakes after racing down Bray Hill and over Ago’s at 180mph, before taking the sharp right and accelerating away over the second roundabout.
There are two good vantage points for spectators at Quarterbridge, either directly outside the old pub, or on the embankment facing the exit.
BRADDAN BRIDGE
Following the Quarterbridge exit, a short straight separates that from Braddan Bridge.
Very popular with spectators, for a fee, you can enjoy bleacher-style seating and daily refreshments at Braddan Bridge, providing fans with an elevated view of the riders tackling the notoriously tricky S-bend, before getting back on the gas towards Union Mills
UNION MILLS
Boasting the first open pub on the Mountain Course, The Railway Inn on the outside of the course is a great spot to see the bikes on the approach to Union Mills.
On the inside of the course, the views are much closer to the road and offer a different viewing experience altogether of the bikes going past at 100mph.
This spot is very popular with photographers, with Union Mills shots of bikes jumping the bridge very well liked on the @ttracesofficial Instagram Account.
GLEN LOUGH
Just shy of a mile on from Union Mills, and all the speed has returned, the bikes screaming past Glen Lough at a breezy 170mph.
Adjacent to the course here is Glen Lough Campsite, understandably popular with the TT Fans who opt to sleep under canvas. The campers can soak up the compression in the road, as the racers line up the terrifyingly fast sweep through Ballagarey - the 5th gear corner considered the most important of all corners.
CROSBY
Another mile and a half from Glen Lough, the racers are pushing at speeds of 180mph on this section after Glen Vine.
The road gently rises past the Crosby Pub, a lovely spot for a leisurely roast dinner, and for competitors to fly past at top speed.
The top of the hill offers a stunning view of the riders lifting the front wheel before they drop down towards Greeba Castle, a sure favourite for TT Fans’ phone wallpapers on a #WheelieWednesday.
HAROLD’S
2 miles further through, and the speeds are barely dropping, despite the roads presenting a melody of twists and turns to test the racers and to tantalise the spectators.
Fans that situate themselves at The Hawthorn can watch the bikes exit Greeba Bridge and thunder on past Harold’s.
A huge sweep round Gorse Lea follows and is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
These are the important bends that lead to top lap times, and can make or break a rider’s position when there’s only seconds in it.
BALLACRAINE
Just a meagre half a mile down the road and the speeds have dropped by half at this point, down to 70mph from 160mph.
Made famous by the George Formby film, No Limit, Ballacraine is a sweeping right hand band that takes the competitors on to the Glen Helen section of the course.
Here, the embankment and the Foxdale Road (A3) both offer the best viewing, and are both on the outside of the course.
GLEN HELEN
2 miles on from the sweeping right-hander of Ballacraine, Glen Helen is a hugely popular viewing spot for TT Fans.
An elevated vantage point provides an excellent view of the sweeping left-hand bend that leads competitors up towards Sarah’s Cottage.
For those that want to see more of the track action in the 2-miles between Ballacraine and Gelen Helen, they won’t be short of options. There are metres upon metres of banks and stone walls between Glen Helen and Black Dub, connected via a footpath, to stake your claim to.
