Which TT wins have surprised you? For me Nigel Rollason and Don Williams' Sidecar B race win in 1986 on the Barton Phoenix was, they'd done well in on it in 1985 but at that time I was so used to Japanese engined outfits winning that for a British machine to do it was wonderful for me. I felt the same about Steve Hislop's win in the 1992 Senior. We all knew Hislop was a true TT hero and multi winner but to win on a British machine was both unexpected and fantastic.

Mike Hailwoods return and win surprised a lot of people.

MD getting the BMW straight up to the top step, everyone knew HE was capable, but a few including me doubted he'd have enough time to dial the bike in.

Roger Hairnet Burnett Senior TT 86

Bruce on the Triumph Valmoto Daytona

Guy on the Superbike 2015

(27-03-2015, 01:46 PM)Alfie Noakes Wrote: Roger Hairnet Burnett Senior TT 86

That's the one I would have mentioned - I still feel for Trevor Nation that day.

Conrad Harrison last year, just didn't expect it, made up he did though, oh and George Shuttleworth in 1935

Phil Carpenter 1974 Senior.

Mark Baldwin TT 1995 Ultra Lightweight

Was watching on the mountain when Phil Carpenter won, weather was dreadful,he pushed his luck and got away with it.

Joey Dunlop......










....but only for the 1977 Jubilee TT

Was there for that one too, same as you at the time we were asking who is this Joey Dunlop.

i was a little young for joeys first win but can accept that as a surprise win
in my time i also remember bruce on the valmoto triumph as a bit of a pleasent surprise at the time great effort from both team and rider that year

It was Joey's second year at the TT, so he hadn't really begun to resonate with people apart from those who'd been able to follow him in Ireland.  There weren't any 'star' names in the Jubilee TT (which would probably have horrified the current regime) but just look at what it launched.  He was quick too - averaging just under 109 for the race, which was very respectable for the time and from memory it was not a nice day.

1962, two surprises on the same day.
Derek Minter 250 Honda
Chris Vincent 500 BSA

Ron Haslam in the 1982 Formula 1 race, he was named winner in 1981 but was demoted to 2nd place the following day after Suzuki appealed and Graeme Crosby was awarded the win. In '82 Ron was lying third to Mick Grant and Joey, Ron passed Joey and I think Mick broke down.
Ron was trying so hard after the 1981 fiasco, I have a photo of him coming through Brandish on the last lap, the wind had blown his helmet so far back on his head you can just see his eyes popping out over the chin guard!
If memory serves me well I think that the year Honda painted their bikes black and team riders wore black leathers as a protest gesture.

I met Phil in 76, we were having a few beers in the DOGS HOME ( raining heavy so no practice) he was quite bitter about the organisers, as they treated him the next year like he hadn't won a TT, or even existed.

Don't think Phil Haslam won a TT, he did win the Junior Manx in the early 70s

??? - The Dogs Home .. that takes me right back - a real den of mischief and contender for sticky carpet/smokey atmosphere of the year, Dogs Home was a proper pub along with the countless pubs along and in behind the harbour area otherwise known locally as the "Barbary Coast" - for you youngsters out there this was the multitude of pubs starting from the railway station then heading over in the harbour area to the sea terminal , some are still there if you look for them, many are gone.