The hairpin bends of Glentramman challenge even the most experienced racer. This isn’t just any corner on the Isle of Man TT course. Glentramman is legendary. It’s a section etched into the history of motorcycle racing. The double driveway of Glentramman Abbey now a hotel dominates the landscape. It marks the start of a thrilling and sometimes treacherous part of the race.
Glentramman’s fame comes from its sharp turns and unforgiving terrain. The road itself leans dramatically. This benefits racers but only until they pass the warning sign. Then a right-hand bend forces riders to hug the right to avoid being thrown off the track. A high wall lines the outside of this bend. The road surface here is smoother than in nearby Glen Duff. Some racers prefer it for that reason. But for sidecar racers it’s brutally tough. The jarring impacts travel through their bodies.
One of Glentramman’s bends is called Water Through Corner by locals. It’s even sharper than the first. The approach is also downhill adding extra difficulty. After a tragic accident involving racer Jimmy Temple in 1925 the corner was sometimes called Temple Corner. However the TT organization never officially adopted this name. Temple was buried less than 150 meters from the spot where he died. His resting place is in the Lezayre Church cemetery.
Glentramman is like a tunnel of trees. This section often stays damp long after the rest of the track has dried. Even Mike Hailwood experienced this when he crashed at Temple Corner in 1959. That crash happened during a heavy downpour. The entire track was soaked then. Glentramman’s legacy isn’t just about speed and skill. It’s about the courage and resilience of racers. It’s about the history and lore. It’s about a place where the road itself tells a story. A place that demands respect and rewards bravery. Glentramman a name whispered with awe and respect by all who dare to test its limits.