The 120mph Club Since the TT began riders have been striving to attain goals whether it be personal or professional. It is now 44 years since Bob McIntyre broke the magical 100mph barrier but lapping at these speeds today, whilst nonetheless admirable, will only achieve a position at the end of the results sheet. Indeed at the 2000 TT the last finishers were averaging over 100mph, truly amazing. When John Williams became the first rider to lap at 110mph plus in 1976 few would have believed we'd be seeing the speeds of today. The benchmark for riders now is 120mph, if you're lapping at those speeds you're going to be in with a shout of victory for the bigger capacity classes. But how many people have achieved this over the years? We all know that Steve Hislop and Brian Morrison were the first riders to crack the 120mph barrier in 1989, but now they have been joined by a further 27 riders with numerous others knocking at the door, Joey himself achieving the feat no less than 32 times. Looking at the list, we can see a wealth of talent and TT greats. Can you remember them all? Rider Speed Year No. of laps over 120mph David Jefferies 125.69mph 2000 18 Jim Moodie 124.45 1999 11 Michael Rutter 123.95 2000 16 Joey Dunlop 123.87 2000 32 Iain Duffus 123.87 2000 13 Carl Fogarty 123.61 1992 12 Steve Hislop 123.5 1992 31 Ian Simpson 123.28 1998 8 Phillip McCallen 122.98 1997 29 Ian Lougher 122.93 1999 15 Simon Beck 122.71 1997 7 Bob Jackson 122.65 1998 7 James Courtney 122.51 1998 7 Nigel Davies 121.85 1999 5 Adrian Archibald 121.78 2000 5 Steve Ward 121.73 1995 2 Brian Morrison 121.64 1991 7 Alan Bennallick 121.54 1999 1 Robert Dunlop 121.53 1992 4 Nick Jefferies 121.51 1995 8 Derek Young 121.48 1997 1 John McGuinness 121.4 2000 11 Blair Degerholm 121.35 1999 1 Jason Griffiths 121.25 1999 8 Marc Flynn 120.66 1997 3 Mark Farmer 120.65 1992 3 Lee Pullan 120.28 1996 1 Robert Holden 120.25 1995 2 Trevor Nation 120.09 1991 1 It is interesting to note that their are only two "foreigners" in the chart these being the New Zealanders Blair Degerholm and the late Robert Holden. With this years races being cancelled, will 2002 see reduced speeds as riders re-familarise themselves with the Mountain Course or will they be "champing at the bit" to tear round the famous track. Riders of the calibre of Carl Rennie and Gordon Blackley only need to shave a few seconds off their times to become a member of this elite group. Laps at over 120mph have been recorded in the Senior, Formula 1, Junior (600cc) and Production events. Phil Wain philwain@ttwebsite.com Back to Features Index