Brandish

“Walter Brandish—quite a name, isn’t it?” I ask, gesturing towards the sweeping curve of Brandish Corner. The Isle of Man TT is a spectacle, a whirlwind of speed and adrenaline. But Brandish Corner holds a unique story within this grand race. It’s a tale of a mishap, a broken leg, and an unlikely legacy. The corner itself, nestled between the 35th and 36th Milestone markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course, is a fast, wide left-hander. Before it was christened Brandish, it was known as Upper-Hillberry Corner and even earlier as Telegraph Hill. The road here has seen its share of changes over the years, re-engineered for safety and speed. This very stretch of road was once part of the Highland Course and the Four Inch Course, used for the Gordon Bennett Trial and Tourist Trophy car races in the early 20th century. Since 1911, it’s been a key part of the Snaefell Mountain Course for both the TT and the Manx Grand Prix. But back to Mr. Brandish. In 1923, during practice for the TT, Walter Brandish attempted to overtake another competitor right here. He lost control, ending up in the right-hand gutter with a broken leg. His mishap inadvertently gave the corner its name, a permanent marker on the course. Ironically, the corner that bears his name has undergone significant alterations. In 2006, the Isle of Man Department of Transport widened the road at Brandish Corner. This was following a series of collisions involving local traffic. They actually shaved off 20 meters from the TT course in the process. Imagine, a corner named after a crash becoming a symbol of improved safety. So, as the bikes thunder past Brandish Corner, remember Walter Brandish. Remember the history echoing in the roar of the engines, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of this iconic race.