The first Isle of Man Tourist Trophy motorcycle race was held on 28 May 1907 on the St John’s Short Course.

The Isle of Man is a Crown Dependency, not part of the United Kingdom. Even so, the race fits a British-linked history archive because of the island’s close relationship with Britain and the TT’s place in motor sport followed in Britain and beyond.

The first motorcycle TT took place while motorcycling was still being developed as a sport. Racing gave riders and manufacturers a public test of their machines. The course also mattered. The race used roads rather than a purpose-built circuit, and that became central to the TT’s identity.

The later Mountain Course and the race’s wider reputation came after this first running. The 1907 race should not be made to carry all of that later history. Its importance is simpler: it began a long connection between the Isle of Man, motorcycles and public road racing.

Over time, the TT became known for speed, endurance and risk. On 28 May 1907, the history began with a motorcycle race on the island’s roads.