- Formula TT
The Formula TT was a racing class for motorcycles from 1977 to 1989 as the official World Cup under the umbrella of
International Motorcycling Federation . It was in three engine capacity classes, and was divided into both two and four-stroke engines.History
From 1949 to 1976 the
Isle of Man TT was part of the Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship and was the home of the British Grand Prix. The event came under increasing scrutiny due to safety concerns despite efforts by the ACU to retain its world championship status. When Italian riderGilberto Parlotti was killed during the 1972 TT, his close friend and the reigning world championGiacomo Agostini , announced that he would never again race on the Isle of Man. More riders joined Agostini's boycott and by the 1976 season, only a handful of serious Grand Prix riders were among the entrants. Shortly after the 1976 TT, the FIM made the long-anticipated announcement that the TT, once the most prestigious race on the Grand Prix calendar, was stripped of its world championship status. The Grand Prix action was moved to the UK with the 1977 British Grand Prix being held at Silverstone.The race authorities of the Isle of Man TT worked with
Auto Cycle Union to set up a new formula that would include racing on the Isle of man. This series was the result of that collaboration. [ [http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database/Events.aspx?meet_code=TT77%20%20&era=4 TT-Database: Meetings: Meetings 1971 - 1990TT 1977] , [http://www.iomtt.com/TT-Database.aspx The official Isle of Man TT 2008 website] , accessed4 June , 2004]For the first five years all three formula were run as part of the
Isle of Man TT :
*1977 One circuit: Tourist Trophy,Isle of Man
*1978 One circuit: Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man
*1979 One circuit: Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man
*1980 One circuit: Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man
*1981 One circuit: Tourist Trophy, Isle of ManFor the start of the 1982 season Formula III was dropped and the number of circuits was increased:
*1982 Three circuits: Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man,Vilareal (Portugal );Ulster Grand Prix ,Dundrod (Northern Ireland ) [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201982.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1982] ]
*1983 Four circuits: Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; TTF1,Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands ); Ulster Grand Prix, Dundrod (Northern Ireland); and TTF2, Assen (second meeting at the circuit) [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201983.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1983] ]
*1984 Six circuits: TTF1-TTF2, Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; TTF1, Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands), TTF1-TTF2, Vilareal (Portugal); TTF1-TTF2, Ulster GP, Dundrod (Northern Ireland); TTF2, Brno (Czechoslovakia );TTF1,Zolder (Belgum ), [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201984.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1984] ]
*1985 Six circuits: TTF1-TTF2, Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; TTF1, Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands); TTF1-TTF2, Vilareal (Portugal); TTF1-TTF2, Montjuich (Spain ); TTF1-TTF2, Ulster GP, Dundrod (Northern Ireland); TTF1, Hockenheim (Germany ) [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201985.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1985] ]
*1986, Five circuit: TTF1,San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix, Misano (Italy); TTF1, Hockenheim (Germany); TTF1-TTF2, Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; TTF1, Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands); TTF1-TTF2, Jerez (Spain); TTF1, Vilareal (Portugal); (TTF1) Imatra (Finland); and TTF1-TTF2, Ulster GP, Dundrod (Northern Ireland) [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201986.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1986] ]For the remaining four seasons only Formula I races were run:
*1987 Seven circuits: Misano (Italy);Hungaroring (Hungary ); Tourist Trophy; Isle of Man, Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands);Sugo (Japan ); Hockenheim (Germany); andDonington Park (England ). [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201987.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1987] ]
*1988, Eight circuits: Sugo (Japan); Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands); Vilareal (Portugal);Kouvola (Finland); Dundrod (Northern Ireland); Pergusa (Italy); and Donington Park (England) [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201988.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1988] ]
*1989, six circuits: Sugo (Japan); Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; Dutch TT - Assen (Netherlands); Vilareal (Portugal); Kouvola (Finland); and Dundrod (Northern Ireland). [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201989.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1989] ]
*1990, five circuits: Sugo (Japan); Tourist Trophy, Isle of Man; Vilareal (Portugal); Kouvola (Finland); and Dundrod (Northern Ireland). [ [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%201990.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula 1990] ]In 1988 a rival series called the
Superbike World Championship started and as it proved popular and commercially successful, it was decided to end the Formula TT at the end of the 1990 season.Technical regulations
The TT Formula was divided into three categories:
* Formula I - four-stroke from 600 to 1000 cc and two-stroke 350 to 500 cc
* Formula II - four-stroke from 400 to 600 cc and two-stroke 250 to 350 cc
* Formula III - four-stroke from 200 to 400 cc and two-stroke 125 to 250 ccList of winners
Notes
References
* [http://www.iomtt.com/ Official website of the Tourist Trophy]
* [http://racingmemo.free.fr/M%20TT%20FORMULA/TT%20FORMULA%200.htm Championnat du Monde - TT Formula] (French)
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