Image – The Grinning Dingo. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube at Real Risk Podcast!

As Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear once said: “Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that’s what gets you.”

An on-site account of the 2003 race by Sports Illustrated writer Franz Lidz called the spectacle “38 Miles of Terror… a test of nerves and speed that may be sport’s most dangerous event”.

The event has been held on the remote British island since 1907. Since the inaugural race, there have been over 255 deaths on the race course . In 2016, five riders died during practice and racing. The worst year was 1970 with 6 deaths.

Davo Johnson has been called the nicest bloke in the paddock. But he is undeniably effective on the massive bikes that aim to complete the 6 laps of the course at an average speed of over 130mph! Watching the slow motion imagery of these machines airborne over the road crests then missing the stone walling by inches makes me return to my childhood, looking at horror movies through the cracks between my fingers! But Davo takes it all in his stride, finding the thrills and competition completely addictive.

Learn about the race HERE

An in depth look HERE featuring the unique Guy Martin