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Ballig Bridge - Rennmax - 07-12-2014
Gents, I'm wondering when the hump-back of Ballig Bridge was removed. According to wikipedia, way back in 1935, but I faintly remember pictures taken in the fifties with riders becoming airborne. Thanks for any info
RE: Ballig Bridge - SILJA - 07-12-2014
Concerning Ballig Bridge, here is an excerpt from the old site written by nickname alf:
Photo from Bob Holliday's book "Racing Around the Island" - Ballig Bridge 1930. The caption to the photograph states that the bridge was widened, straightened and flattened in 1936. For the record the rider is Ernie Knott on a Rudge on his way to 7th in the 1930 Senior.
![[Image: 2185308739_25fc9d260a.jpg?v=0]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2185308739_25fc9d260a.jpg?v=0)
RE: Ballig Bridge - cpt_pants - 07-12-2014
There was a good bend in it then too
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 07-12-2014
The bridge was in the process of being removed in 1935. There are photos of the 1935 races with all the wooden supports around the bridge, and the builders were waiting for the races to finish so that the road could be closed.
If you watch "No Limit", they actually use the fact that the bridge needs repairing as part of the storyline when George arrives in Douglas for "the Trials".
And of course the film crew used the 1935 Senior for some of the footage for the film, i.e. the crowd in the Grandstand is the real crowd for the actual race, and they were all asked to cheer at the appropriate time during the film. One reason I know this is because my Dad was in the crowd.
There are many references to the bridge removal, and the film (directed by Monty Banks) in the 1935 January-June volume of the "Motor Cycle".
RE: Ballig Bridge - ago/mh1967 - 07-12-2014
Was it completely flattened in the mid 30`s tho?
I ask because in the back of my mind I have read/heard/seen pics of machines still slightly airborne in the 50`s.
...or maybe my brain is misfiring !!!
RE: Ballig Bridge - Rennmax - 07-12-2014
(07-12-2014, 02:56 PM)ago/mh1967 Wrote: Was it completely flattened in the mid 30`s tho?That's what I said in my first post...still searching w h e n it was réally flattened
I ask because in the back of my mind I have read/heard/seen pics of machines still slightly airborne in the 50`s.
...or maybe my brain is misfiring !!!
RE: Ballig Bridge - ago/mh1967 - 07-12-2014
Yeh, sorry Rennmax, I mean`t to quote your first post along with my reply.
I agree with what you are saying. I`m searching the web too.....
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 07-12-2014
I'm almost certain that it was totally flattened in 1935. I'll check.
There were other significant leaps back in those days. Ballagarraghan before Ballacraine was ironed out in about 1955, as was the Highlander before Greeba Castle.
RE: Ballig Bridge - ago/mh1967 - 07-12-2014
I think you have hit the nail on the head Splashdown. The Ballagarraghan `jump` is refered to in one of my dvd`s. That`s the one i was thinking of.
Told you me brain was misfiring.....ah, old age
RE: Ballig Bridge - Max Power - 07-12-2014
There was also a jump half way along the straight between Quarterbridge and Braddan Bridge which was caused by a tunnel under the road between the fields either side.
RE: Ballig Bridge - wsn03 - 09-12-2014
When was jump between Quaterbridge and Braddan Bridge removed? Does anyone have any pictures?
RE: Ballig Bridge - Dougboy - 09-12-2014
(09-12-2014, 11:20 AM)wsn03 Wrote: When was jump between Quaterbridge and Braddan Bridge removed? Does anyone have any pictures?
I've never heard of it, and never seen any pictures either. A tunnel under the road would have to have gone under the old railway line as well. Happy to be corrected but this seems unlikely or possibly it was somewhere else?
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 09-12-2014
I think the jump was removed for the 1962 TT. That and the whole run from Braddan to Union Mills was widened and re-surfaced that year.
Snugborough (before Union Mills) was still a fast right left until 1977. I remember racing into the old Snugborough and it was really tight, with high walls either side, totally different to the wide open entrance to Union Mills that we have today.
RE: Ballig Bridge - eman1948 - 10-12-2014
My first TT was 1969 for Friday`s Senior, watched at Snugborough and it was an unbelievable experience. Agostini on the MV was quickest ( obviously ) but Alan Barnett was not much slower. Alan Barnett was my favourite rider at the time. He was quick and a brilliant rider.
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 10-12-2014
Alan Barnett was a brilliant rider. I think he had the fastest lap on a 350 Aermacchi for long enough. I'm not sure if he rode again after the 1970 crash at Doran's when he was dicing with Peter Williams.
RE: Ballig Bridge - scaramanga - 10-12-2014
this is what i like about forums
1 question opens up loads of other info some of us never knew
the knowledge some of the more experienced (older) members have is very interesting and i have to admit im a little jelious/envious
RE: Ballig Bridge - eman1948 - 10-12-2014
There was a bit of hype in MCN and Motorcycle at the time about Barnett doing the first 100mph lap on a 350, I think he lapped over 99 mph but not sure how close to the Ton.
His crashed was caused through the tar on the roads melting, it was very hot that year. I may be wrong it was a long time ago.
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 10-12-2014
I think he lapped in 22.44, about 99.5.
True he crashed on melting tar, 1970 was a very hot year, and I'm sad to say that six were killed in the TT that year.
I can think of four: Michael Collins, Santiago Herrero, Brian Steenson, and dear old E.A. Lavington on his girder forked Velocette.
Arthur Lavington had ridden the TT since 1949, always on his Velocette. I think he crashed in practice at Kate's Cottage.
RE: Ballig Bridge - scaramanga - 10-12-2014
(10-12-2014, 12:42 PM)Splashdown Wrote: I think he lapped in 22.44, about 99.5.not bad from memory nick
True he crashed on melting tar, 1970 was a very hot year, and I'm sad to say that six were killed in the TT that year.
I can think of four: Michael Collins, Santiago Herrero, Brian Steenson, and dear old E.A. Lavington on his girder forked Velocette.
Arthur Lavington had ridden the TT since 1949, always on his Velocette. I think he crashed in practice at Kate's Cottage.
not from knowledge or memory but the memorial book1907 -2007
lester john iles 125cc practice
michael collins early morning practice senior race
dennis blower sidecar
santiago herrero-ruiz 250cc
john joseph wetherall senior race
robert william brian steenson senior race
edgar arthur lavington was actually the year before during practice but he was on a 350 velocette colided with another rider at alpine
RE: Ballig Bridge - Splashdown - 10-12-2014
Thanks for correcting me. I had always thought that Arthur died in 1970. Yes, it was very tough at the time when six were lost.