S3 E5 Thirty Eight Miles of Terror - Racing the Isle of Man TT with Davo Johnson Artwork

Real Risk

Richard Harris SC OAM, 2019 Joint Australian of the Year talks about risk with real, live, risk takers. How can one person BASE jump from a bridge when another gets dizzy at the top of the stairs? Why might you fear going into an elevator when I love to explore flooded caves? Real Risk gets into the weeds with the people we all think are crazy, to find that mostly, they aren’t at all. They just have a different view of the world around them, often driven by curiosity or a need to test themselves. I guarantee you’ll be inspired to push yourself a little harder. Contact me on admin@speleopix.com.au

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Real Risk

S3 E5 Thirty Eight Miles of Terror - Racing the Isle of Man TT with Davo Johnson

October 20, 2021 • Richard Harris • Season 3 • Episode 5

Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube at Real Risk Podcast!

As Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear famously 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