Four Inch Course
Encyclopedia
Four-Inch Course is a road-racing
circuit first used for the 1908 Tourist Trophy Race for racing automobiles. The races were held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald
(the parliament of the Isle of Man). The name of the course derives from the regulations for the 1908 Tourist Trophy adopted by the Royal Automobile Club
which limited the engines of the competing automobiles to a cylinder diameter of four inches. The Four-Inch Course was adopted by the Auto-Cycle Club for the 1911 Isle of Man TT
Races. The Four-Inch Course was subsequently known as the Snaefell Mountain Course
or Mountain Course when used for motor-cycle racing.
on the A18 Mountain Road.
The Four-Inch Course is based on a number of public roads in the Isle of Man closed for racing including the primary A18
Snaefell Mountain Road from the start-line at Hillberry Corner
to the road junction with the primary A21 Johnny Watterson Lane and the tertiary C10 Scholag Road at Cronk-ny-Mona
in the town of Douglas
. The primary A21 Johnny Watterson Lane from Cronk-ny-Mona to the junction with the A22 Ballanard Road. The A22 Ballanard Road in an eastly direction to the road junction at St Ninian's Crossroads, the A2 Bray Hill
and the A2 Quarterbridge Road
in Douglas to the Quarterbridge
. The A1 Douglas
to Peel Road from the Quarterbridge to Ballacraine
Corner with its junction with the A3 Castletown to Ramsey
Road. The A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road from Ballacraine to Parliament Square, Ramsey
. The A9 Albert Road in the town of Ramsey, including two small sections of private road with the northly junction of the primary A18
Snaefell Mountain Road. The A18 Mountain Road to the finish-line at Hillberry Corner
.
The Four-Inch Course was adopted by the Auto-Cycle Club for the 1911 Isle of Man TT
Races and the start-line moved to a level section of the Quarterbridge Road
between Selborne Drive and the 1st Milestone/Alexander Drive and the circuit became known as the Snaefell Mountain Course when used for motor-cycle racing. For the 1920 Isle of Man TT
Races, changes were made to the Snaefell Mountain Course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona
and followed the primary A18 Bemahauge Road to Governor's Bridge
with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course from the pre-World War I
length of 37.5 miles (60.35 km) to 37.75 miles (60.75 km). More changes to the course followed for the 1923 Isle of Man TT
Races with the adoption of two small sections of private road between Parliament Square
and May Hill
in Ramsey. The Snaefell Mountain Course had previously negotiated the A2 Albert Road and Tower Road in Ramsey which differed from the original Four-Inch circuit which had incorporated these sections of private road and the new Mountain Course length increased to 37.739 miles (60.73 km). The official course distance for the Snaefell Mountain Course was amended for the 1938 Isle of Man TT
races to 37.733 miles (60.73 km) which is the current Snaefell Mountain Course length.
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
circuit first used for the 1908 Tourist Trophy Race for racing automobiles. The races were held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald
Tynwald
The Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
(the parliament of the Isle of Man). The name of the course derives from the regulations for the 1908 Tourist Trophy adopted by the Royal Automobile Club
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
which limited the engines of the competing automobiles to a cylinder diameter of four inches. The Four-Inch Course was adopted by the Auto-Cycle Club for the 1911 Isle of Man TT
1911 Isle of Man TT
The 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races took place for the first time over the "Snaefell Mountain Course". The whole organisation of the races was given over to the Auto Cycle Union , who announced the use of the longer mountain course with a four lap Junior race on Friday 30 June and a five...
Races. The Four-Inch Course was subsequently known as the Snaefell Mountain Course
Snaefell mountain course
Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races held in the Isle of Man from 1911 and 1923 respectively. The racing is held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
or Mountain Course when used for motor-cycle racing.
Four-Inch Course
The new course was a length of 37.5 miles and was based on the 'Short' Highlands Course with the omission of the Sandygate Loop and the Peel Loop. The start-line was moved from the road junction of the A2 Quarterbridge Road/Alexander Drive to Hillberry CornerHillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner is situated at the 36th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the C22 Little Mill Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
on the A18 Mountain Road.
The Four-Inch Course is based on a number of public roads in the Isle of Man closed for racing including the primary A18
A18 road (Isle of Man)
The A18 Snaefell Mountain Road or Mountain Road is 15.30 miles long road in the Isle of Man and is a primary road which connects Douglas with Ramsey. The A18 Mountain Road is part of Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand...
Snaefell Mountain Road from the start-line at Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner is situated at the 36th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the C22 Little Mill Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
to the road junction with the primary A21 Johnny Watterson Lane and the tertiary C10 Scholag Road at Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the A21 Johnny Watterson Lane and the tertiary C10 Scholag Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of...
in the town of Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
. The primary A21 Johnny Watterson Lane from Cronk-ny-Mona to the junction with the A22 Ballanard Road. The A22 Ballanard Road in an eastly direction to the road junction at St Ninian's Crossroads, the A2 Bray Hill
Bray Hill
Bray Hill formerly a country lane known as the Great Hill during the time of the ownership of the Duke of Atholl. Previously known as Siberia a former triangle shaped parcel of land in the Murray Estate...
and the A2 Quarterbridge Road
Quarterbridge Road
Quarterbridge Road is situated adjacent the 1st Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary the A2 Douglas to Ramsey road in the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man....
in Douglas to the Quarterbridge
Quarterbridge, Isle of Man
Quarterbridge is situated between the 1st Milestone and 2nd Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road, A2 Douglas to Ramsey and the A5 Douglas to Port Erin road which forms the boundary...
. The A1 Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
to Peel Road from the Quarterbridge to Ballacraine
Ballacraine
Ballacraine is situated between the 7th Milestone and 8th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road and the A3 Castletown to Ramsey road in the parish of German in the Isle of Man.The road...
Corner with its junction with the A3 Castletown to Ramsey
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
Road. The A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road from Ballacraine to Parliament Square, Ramsey
Parliament Square, Ramsey
Parliament Square is situated between the 23rd Milestone and 24th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road, the A9 Ramsey to Andreas Road and A2 Douglas to Ramsey Road situated in the...
. The A9 Albert Road in the town of Ramsey, including two small sections of private road with the northly junction of the primary A18
A18 road (Isle of Man)
The A18 Snaefell Mountain Road or Mountain Road is 15.30 miles long road in the Isle of Man and is a primary road which connects Douglas with Ramsey. The A18 Mountain Road is part of Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand...
Snaefell Mountain Road. The A18 Mountain Road to the finish-line at Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner is situated at the 36th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the C22 Little Mill Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
.
The Four-Inch Course was adopted by the Auto-Cycle Club for the 1911 Isle of Man TT
1911 Isle of Man TT
The 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races took place for the first time over the "Snaefell Mountain Course". The whole organisation of the races was given over to the Auto Cycle Union , who announced the use of the longer mountain course with a four lap Junior race on Friday 30 June and a five...
Races and the start-line moved to a level section of the Quarterbridge Road
Quarterbridge Road
Quarterbridge Road is situated adjacent the 1st Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary the A2 Douglas to Ramsey road in the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man....
between Selborne Drive and the 1st Milestone/Alexander Drive and the circuit became known as the Snaefell Mountain Course when used for motor-cycle racing. For the 1920 Isle of Man TT
1920 Isle of Man TT
The 1920 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the first to take place following World War I. Official practice sessions started on 31 May with the races taking place on 15 and 16 June....
Races, changes were made to the Snaefell Mountain Course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the A21 Johnny Watterson Lane and the tertiary C10 Scholag Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of...
and followed the primary A18 Bemahauge Road to Governor's Bridge
Governor's Bridge
Governor's Bridge is a double hairpin bend and road junction on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man between the 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course and the TT Grandstand on the primary A2 Glencrutchery Road in the town of Douglas.The...
with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course from the pre-World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
length of 37.5 miles (60.35 km) to 37.75 miles (60.75 km). More changes to the course followed for the 1923 Isle of Man TT
1923 Isle of Man TT
The 1923 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the introduction of the first Sidecar TT race over 3 laps and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Denny with a special Douglas banking-sidecar in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds at an average speed of however the fastest...
Races with the adoption of two small sections of private road between Parliament Square
Parliament Square, Ramsey
Parliament Square is situated between the 23rd Milestone and 24th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road, the A9 Ramsey to Andreas Road and A2 Douglas to Ramsey Road situated in the...
and May Hill
May Hill
May Hill is a hill between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye, whose summit is on the western edge of Gloucestershire, though its northern slopes are in Herefordshire....
in Ramsey. The Snaefell Mountain Course had previously negotiated the A2 Albert Road and Tower Road in Ramsey which differed from the original Four-Inch circuit which had incorporated these sections of private road and the new Mountain Course length increased to 37.739 miles (60.73 km). The official course distance for the Snaefell Mountain Course was amended for the 1938 Isle of Man TT
1938 Isle of Man TT
The 1938 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the Senior TT lap record of 90.27 mph set by Freddie Frith the previous year broken in 1938 when Harold Daniell completed a lap at 91.00 mph on his Norton, a record which would stand for 12 years. He managed to win, beating Stanley Woods by only...
races to 37.733 miles (60.73 km) which is the current Snaefell Mountain Course length.
See also
- Snaefell Mountain CourseSnaefell mountain courseSnaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races held in the Isle of Man from 1911 and 1923 respectively. The racing is held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
- Clypse CourseClypse CourseThe Clypse Course describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Isle of Man TT Races between 1954 and 1959.The course is 10.92 miles long and is in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man. The course uses two short sections of the Snaefell Mountain Course which includes the primary A18 road...
- Billown CircuitBillown CircuitThe Billown Circuit describes a motor-cycle racing course used for the Southern 100, Pre-TT Classic Races and the National Road Races Meeting in Castletown in the Isle of Man...
- RAC Tourist TrophyRAC Tourist TrophyThe International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
- Isle of Man TTIsle of Man TTThe International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
- Manx Grand PrixManx Grand PrixThe Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...