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The unavoidable headache challenging TT organisers

For much of the 2019 Isle of Man TT fortnight so far, the weather has dominated the headlines as rain has forced a series of delays and cancellations. This may be frustrating to fans, but stems from the unique challenge that makes the event a motorsport gem

The Isle of Man TT is a unique challenge in motorsport. As a result, the challenges facing event organisers the ACU and TT clerk of the course Gary Thompson are also extremely different compared to any other form of racing.

The 2019 TT has so far been incredibly difficult for the organisers. Most of practice week was lost to poor weather, with only three days of the scheduled six of running taking place. That ultimately forced the start of racing to first be delayed from Saturday June 1 to Sunday June 2, before eventually being set in stone for Monday - though two race days would also be lost to the weather. Because of this, hundreds of disgruntled fans ended their trips to the island without having seen any track action.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.