Dreaming of roaring engines and daring feats? Welcome to Laurel Bank. This isn’t just a place it’s a crucible of motorsport history. Laurel Bank sits snugly between the 10th and 11th Milestone markers. It’s on the primary A3 road from Castletown to Ramsey. This places it perfectly between Ballacraine and Glen Helen in Kirk German parish.
Laurel Bank has an archaic Manx name. It is Cronk-y-Killey. This translates to ‘Killey’s Hill’. The name hints at the area’s long history.
This area falls within the former Treen of Balydoyne. A Treen was a 16th-century district for tax payments. Balydoyne consisted of Cronk-y-Killey and Ballakilley-ny-Howin Quarterlands.
Laurel Bank is nestled in Glen Mooar valley’s northern section. Here you’ll find Laurel Bank farm and house which was built around 1848. Also nearby is Ebenezer Lane. The River Neb flows close to Laurel Bank. It parallels the A3 road from Glen Helen to Ballacraine. Beary Mountain’s summit rises nearby. It reaches 1020 feet. That is 311 meters.
The Glen Helen section of the A3 road is important. It includes Laurel Bank. It was part of the St Johns Short Course. This course hosted Isle of Man TT races from 1907 to 1910.
Laurel Bank was also part of the Four Inch Course. This 37.50-mile course held RAC Tourist Trophy automobile races. These races occurred on the Isle of Man between 1908 and 1922.
In 1911, the Four Inch Course was used for Isle of Man TT motorcycle races. The Auto-Cycling Union oversaw this. Laurel Bank became part of the 37.73-mile Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. It has been used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT Races. From 1923, it also hosted the Manx Grand Prix races.
Tragedy struck Laurel Bank in 1962. During the Junior TT, Tom Phillis crashed fatally. He was a former FIM World Motor-Cycle Champion. He was riding a 285cc Honda. The crash occurred at the approach to Laurel Bank.
Laurel Bank is more than just a location. It is a testament to speed, skill, and risk. It’s a place where legends are made and sometimes lost. Remember the roar of the engines as you stand here. Picture the daring riders pushing their limits. They navigate this challenging course. Laurel Bank is a thrilling chapter in motorsport’s ongoing story.