Fans have chosen the 1992 Senior TT, which quickly unfolded into a thrilling battle between Steve Hislop and Carl Fogarty, as the greatest race of all time on the iconic Mountain Course.

The race saw both riders on unfamiliar bikes at the TT; ‘Foggy’ on a Loctite Yamaha OW01, Hizzy on an Abus-backed Norton rotary. But it didn’t stop them delivering one of the truly memorable showdowns in the TT history with both riders posting lap records during the race. First Hislop broke his own lap record, then Fogarty raised it to 123.61mph but Hislop took the race by 4.4s and set a new race record of 121.38mph in Norton’s first TT win since 1973 and their first Senior victory since 1961.

Thousands of fans took part in the vote with almost half choosing the 1992 Senior TT as their favourite race. The 2000 Formula 1 that saw Joey Dunlop triumph over David Jefferies finished second in the poll while last year’s thrilling Superstock battle between Ryan Farquhar and Ian Hutchinson - which Hutchinson eventually won by 1.32 seconds on his way to his historic five victories in a week - was third in the survey.

The race was chosen from a shortlist of 10 that had been drawn up by leading figures in the road-racing world, including John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson, Michael Dunlop and Dave Molyneux as well as ex riders and TT commentators Charlie Williams and Steve Parrish and Motor Cycle News journalist Gary Pinchin.

The Isle of Man Post Office has turned the full shortlist into a set of 10 stamps as part of the centenary celebrations for the Mountain Course, which will take place during the 2011 TT Races. A selection of TT stamp merchandise featuring all of the stamps will be issued from April and is available at www.iomstamps.com


The shortlist featured five pre 1980 races including the 1935 Senior TT victory for Stanley Woods over Jimmy Guthrie, Tom Herron’s ’76 Senior TT victory over John Williams and Alex George’s 1979 Classic TT win ahead of Mike Hailwood. Sidecar’s were represented by the1977 Sidecar TT Race that boiled down to a thrilling Yamaha dual between Dick Greasley and Kenny Arthur and George O’Dell who was riding with Mick Skeels, the latter pair eventually triumphing with a new lap record of 102.8mph on the final lap.

The1967 Senior TT between Giacomo Agostini and Mike Hailwood also scored heavily while modern races that featured included Klaus Klaffenbock’s 2010 triumph and the 2008 Senior TT between John McGuinness and Cameron Donald.

Dot Tilbury, General Manager, Isle of Man Stamps and Coins commented:

“TT fans have really got behind the vote and although there was a clear winner, many of the races also received lots of votes which hopefully proves that the shortlist was correct. However, I’m sure that the debate will continue up to this year’s TT when more races will be added to its illustrious history.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fpr3pprn...re=related

(05-02-2011, 04:23 AM)Lee Wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fpr3pprn...re=related

EVERY TT race is memorable, and a achievement for all competitors.

I agree with you Pat.

However if there is to be a race never to be forgotten, surely it had to be the Classic race in 1979 when Mike Hailwood (Suzuki 500cc) was JUST beaten by Alex George (Honda 1000cc).

The eight lap Senior in 1957 was also highly memorable...Think of it -Eight laps on tyres very much thinner in profile than those of today. It was a very LONG race in time and mileage but we certainly got value for our money as spectators. The riders didn't seem to mind the length of race either.

For those of you mathematically minded, how long would an eight lapper last today start to winner passing the flag ?

Any comments Nick ???

Mike had won the 1979 Senior http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAmWzQ8tr...r_embedded#

(09-02-2011, 01:27 PM)ian huntly Wrote: I agree with you Pat.

However if there is to be a race never to be forgotten, surely it had to be the Classic race in 1979 when Mike Hailwood (Suzuki 500cc) was JUST beaten by Alex George (Honda 1000cc).

The eight lap Senior in 1957 was also highly memorable...Think of it -Eight laps on tyres very much thinner than those of today. It was a very LONG race in time and mileage but we certainly got value for our money as spectators. The riders didn't seem to mind the length of race either.

For those of you mathematically minded, how long would an eight lapper last today start to winner passing the flag ?

Any comments Nick ???

Mike had won the 1979 Senior http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAmWzQ8tr...r_embedded#

Yes the 8 lap Senior was for me the best race I ever witnessed, the sounds of the multi cylinder bikes was fantastic, and Bob McIntyre doing the first 100mph lap was amazing.
The 1992 Senior was the most exciting Senior I ever watched.