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Isle of Man TT '24: What you need to know 

The Isle of Man TT Races is the most spectacular motorcycling event in the world. For two weeks each summer, all eyes are on this 220 square mile island in the Irish sea as the fastest road racers in the world take on the iconic 37.73-mile Mountain course, a race track made up of every day roads, but where top speeds touch 200mph and 240bhp superbikes lap at speeds averaging over 135mph.

Since 1907, the sight and sound of TT competitors racing flat out between the hedges and flashing past shops and schools in a blink of an eye has been a truly unique experience, and we at Entire Cover are excited to be the official insurance partner of the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races.

As well as being the title sponsor of the opening three-lap Supertwin TT, we’ll be bringing all the latest news and gossip, as well as behind the scenes insight and exclusive VIP experiences through our website and social media channels – so make sure you follow us on our social media channels to get your fix of the greatest two-wheeled show on earth.

But whether you’re joining us from trackside or following from home, there are plenty of dates to put in your diary and information you just ought to know! The flag is set to drop on the first practice session on Monday 27th May, with the festival closing with the traditional six-lap Senior TT on the afternoon of Saturday 8 June. Want to follow it all? Here are all the dates you need… 

Practice week schedule

Exact timings for the practice sessions will be revealed ahead of the event. Roads will be closed for the practice sessions, with sub-sessions created for the different types and size of motorcycles. There will be separate sessions for sidecar outfits, while the solos may also be separated by class in some sessions.

Race week schedule

What are the different race classes?

The Isle of Man TT race classes reflect a variety of different types and capacity of motorcycle. They are:

Superbike: These are highly tuned versions of 1000cc production sportsbikes, like the BMW M 1000 RR, Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and Kawasaki ZX-10RR Ninja. The engines and chassis are tuned, with items like brakes, wheels, suspension and frame all changed or modified to make them as fast as possible around the TT Mountain course. Top riders can lap the course at over 135mph on these machines, which are used in the six-lap Superbike and Senior TTs.

Superstock: These are lightly tuned versions of the 1000cc sportsbikes you can buy from a motorbike dealership. These are only lightly modified for racing use and retain many of the stock components of the standard machine, like the wheels, brake calipers, swingarm and front forks, although things like suspension internals and brake pads can be changed.

Such is the quality of these machines, which make in excess of 200bhp, they are almost as fast as full-blown superbikes, with many privateers racing superstock machines in the Senior and Superbike TTs. Indeed, Peter Hickman holds the outright TT lap record of 136.358mph on a Superstock specification BMW M 1000 RR, lapping the near 38 mile course in 16:36.114.

Supersport: Traditionally the domain of 600cc, inline four cylinder, machines like the Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha YZF-R6, the class has also been opened up to other middleweight bikes like the Triumph Street Triple 765 in recent years. These bikes make around 150bhp, with Michael Dunlop breaking through the 130mph average lap barrier at last year’s TT.

Supertwin: The Supertwins are among the technically most interesting bikes at the TT Races. They start life as two-cylinder production bikes, with machines like Aprilia’s RS 660, Kawasaki’s 650 Ninja and Yamaha’s R7 all eligible to race alongside the exclusive Paton S1-R, which has been the winningest bike in recent years. The Supertwins are among the most highly modified machines at the TT, meaning reliability can be a factor in determining races. Despite the best machines making ‘only’ 100bhp, the lap record is in excess of 122mph thanks to the light weight and super accurate handling.

Sidecar: The three wheelers are dedicated racing machines built around 600cc inline four motorcycle engines, although 675cc triples and twins up to 900cc are also eligible. The driver kneels behind the engine, in a position not dissimilar to a traditional motorcycle, while the passenger rides on the platform. The passenger has an important role to play, transferring their weight to optimise cornering and traction. The rider and passenger must work together to get the best out of the outfit, with the best teams able to lap at an average of over 120mph.

Who are the riders at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races?

A full list of seeded riders and starters has still to be released, but in the solo classes the ‘big three’ to look out for are Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman.

Dunlop, the latest in the famous road racing dynasty, won four of the eight races at TT 2023 to move on to 25 career TT wins. A good TT this time around could see him equal, or even surpass, his uncle Joey’s all-time record of 26 victories.

The other four wins went to Hickman, who also raised the outright lap record to a staggering 136.358mph on in the second superstock race. He has a total of 13 TT wins going into this year’s event, placing him ninth in the all-time standings.

Harrison is a three time TT winner, including the 2019 Senior TT, who has made the move from Kawasaki to lead Honda’s challenge this year. He should feature strongly, with riders like Davey Todd, Conor Cummins, Lee Johnston, Josh Brookes and Jamie Coward all possible of making a breakthrough, while veterans John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson will be looking to recapture the form which has made them TT legends.

On three wheels, the interest will be around the defending champion Ben Burchall, who has a new passenger in the form of Frenchman Kevin Rousseu following the retirement of brother Tom.

The Burchalls broke through the 120mph barrier as they powered to their 14^th TT win, but they didn’t have it their own way as the team of Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley pushed them all the way. Could they be the top dogs in 2024?  

Where to watch the Isle of Man TT Races

A visit to the Isle of Man TT Races is on many bikers’ bucket lists and, if you want to go in person, booking well in advance is highly recommended as ferries and accommodation are in high demand. Last minute trips are usually possible though, with a number of homestays and campsites available on the island.

Once on the island, the world is your oyster when it comes to watching. Whether you prefer staying in the Grandstand, where you can see the hustle and bustle of pitlane, or want to get out on the more remote parts of the course, there are plenty of different viewing experiences.

From the jaw dropping drama at the bottom of Bray Hill, to the staggering speed though Gorse Lea or the remoteness of the Mountain, you really can understand the sheer skill, determination and bravery required to be a TT racer. On course pubs like Ginger Hall and the famous Creg ny Baa also offer a classic TT viewing among fellow fans.

But if you can’t make it to the island, the at home viewing experience is better than ever. You can watch every practice session and race through the online TT+ platform (subscription required) where you can also find great features, live timing and old sessions on demand. ITV4 also offer some fantastic programming on terrestrial television, with a nightly slot showing documentaries and preview shows in the run up to the event and highlights during race week.

You can also follow the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races through the Entire Cover social media channels, so why not give us a follow to get the inside track on the latest goings on from the island?