There has been a total of four Man of Isle casualties, with two fatalities occurring this past weekend. As far as Man of Isle casualties go however, this year’s Tourist Trophy (TT) race series has been especially costly. The fourth fatality at the iconic race series include 58 year-old Ian Bell who is survived by his son Carl.
The dangerous stretch through the Snaefell Mountain Course claimed Bell through the Ballaspur stretch. The tragic accident took place just one section before the quarter way mark. With his sold Carl Bell riding in the sidecar of his custom racing motorcycle, Ian Bell crashed just through mile 19 in the 37.7 mile track.
Man of Isle casualties are nothing new to the Isle of Man TT series, and to this track. The International Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy Race is the epicenter of sports bike competition. Often recognized as the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world, the Isle of Man has claimed more than it’s fair share of participants.
It’s part of the allure and the demands that this track puts on the racers themselves. The senior Bell counts as the 252nd of Man of Isle casualties since the inception of the race series. The older Bell was survived by his son and his wife, according to a statement from the organizers of the event.
“Ian, a motorcycle dealer, was married to Trudi and had two children. He made his TT Races debut in 1995, winning the newcomers trophy, and achieved five podiums during his TT career including a race win in 2003, ACU Events Ltd. wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Ian’s family and friends.”
Some of the other notable Man of Isle casualties this year include twenty-seven-year-old Australian Dwight Beare and 50-year-old Brit Paul Shoesmith. Both lost their lives on June 5 during one of the most demanding sidecar races of the series.
The latest Man of Isle casualties puts a black mark on what’s been an incredible series this year. Michael Dunlop both set and broke his own track record earlier this week, while Subaru and driver Mark Higgins broke the four-wheel record in a WRX STI.
Want more information and news on the man of Isle? Subscribe to My Pro Street today to get the latest in tech tips, DIY articles and more!
