JM: ‘130mph TT lap on’

It’s almost certain that HM Plant Honda’s John McGuinness’ astounding 129.45mph Isle of Man TT outright lap record will be well and truly smashed at this year’s TT – providing the weather conditions are favourable.

Never mind the fact that the bikes will be faster and the tyres even better, the biggest factor in making the 37.73mile course faster is major road safety improvements at Brandish.

Formerly a third gear left-hander, the corner has been re-profiled, turning it into a high-speed sweeper with a positive camber that will take in fifth gear. The old road has been removed with the effect of creating a run-off area.

McGuinness said: “It’s got to knock three to four seconds off the lap. The 130mph lap has to be on the cards.”

Stobart Honda’s Ian Lougher added: “I reckon it could be up to five seconds faster. It’s certainly going to be a lot quicker and we’re going to arrive at Hillberry a lot faster too.” 

Sidecar lap record holder Dave Molyneux reckons the new layout is awesome. He said: “If the solo guys can run through here in fifth I’m going to doing it in top on my first lap of practice – without rolling it off!”

Brandish Corner is one of the Island’s busiest primary routes to and from Ramsey and the north, carrying in excess of 3,500 vehicles per day. Statistics and data collected over the past three years have also confirmed that Brandish Corner has the worst accident record on the Island. 

The Isle of Man Department for Transport continually monitors the top 30 locations where accidents regularly occur on the Island and allows them to devise and implement improvement schemes to help reduce the number of accidents.