‘Mountain Milestones’, Manx National Heritage’s first major exhibition in the new temporary exhibition gallery at the House of Manannan is in its final two weeks of display, with the exhibition ending on Sunday 10 June 2012.
Since opening, over 53,000 visitors have enjoyed the exhibition which examines what it means to race on the Isle of Man TT circuit, what draws riders from all over the world to race here – and also why some high profile names have refused to do so.
The exhibition includes memorabilia from racers such as leathers, t-shirts, helmets and trophies. Other exhibits include a medal awarded to a long serving Special Constable who was on duty at the TT every year, nursing memorabilia from first aiders on the course, and marshalling artefacts. Historic film footage from the MNH archive running in the exhibition also adds to the atmosphere.
The star of the show has undoubtedly been the Humber motorcycle which won the first ever race held on the mountain, the 1911 Junior TT, with Percy Evans aboard. He won in a time of 3 hours 37 minutes, at an average speed of 41 miles an hour. This magnificent and historic machine has kindly been loaned to Manx National Heritage by the Sammy Miller Trust and is accompanied by the original trophy awarded to Evans in 1911, loaned this time by the Oswestry Road Racing Museum.
Mountain Milestones is open daily from 10am to 5pm at the House of Manannan in Peel. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge. The exhibition is one of several additional attractions at the Manx National Heritage sites during TT fortnight, with other activities including:
- Joey Dunlop: The TT Wins – a free hourly film showing at the Manx Museum by kind permission of Duke Marketing, which is open Monday to Saturday, from 10am, last showing 4pm. Donations to the Joey Dunlop foundation.
- ‘Our Sporting Life’ – a free exhibition at the Manx Museum which includes a display on Manx Motorsport, featuring Conor Cummins’ 2010 Superstock machine, the 1904 – 05 Gordon Bennett Trials and the Car TT Races, open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm.
- The Big Wheelie – a late night opening at the Laxey Wheel on 7th June until 8pm, with guided walks and a hog roast starting from 1pm, with musical entertainment from The Shenanigans Banned between 6pm – 8pm.
- Motorsport Images at iMuseum – discover motorsport images from the archive and search the TT in the old Manx Newspapers in the Isle of Man’s new digital museum. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Thursdays until 7pm.