List of named corners of the Snaefell Mountain Course

Course with selected corners marked

More than 60 corners, bends and turns of the Snaefell Mountain Course, a racing circuit which has hosted motorcycle, sidecar, and automobile racing—including many world championship events—since 1911, are individually named and notable. The course runs 37.73 miles (60.72 km) entirely along public roads of the Isle of Man. This list includes prominent named corners and other landmarks along the course.

Racers rounding Signpost Corner near end of a lap, 6 June 2005

The number of turns in the course is subject to debate. All agree that there are more than 200; a 2011 report asserted there are 264. Some of the curves, S-bends, turns at crossroads, and other features in the course would not seem significant to car drivers in public traffic, while they are very significant for high-speed racers. 132.701 mph (213.562 km/h) is the highest average speed over one lap of the course that has been attained, by John McGuinness on 12 June 2015. At jumps where most motorcycle racers clear off the ground, drivers of cars at slow speeds might not even notice a bump. At the corners, racers must adjust their entering speed, focus on their pre-planned line and lean according to the nature of the turn, and anticipate accelerating, decelerating, turning again, or otherwise handling their vehicles as needed while coming out of the turn, for each one.

Marker flag for a left turn

During race season there are marker boards, first introduced as banners in 1921, posted in advance of major turns bearing these names that inform practice racers and during races may remind racers what is coming. The turns aren't labelled by numbers as done on other short racing circuits. Spectators also focus on named corners as well as landmarks besides the course; many of the best vantage points are at turns where racers can be better seen as they slow down. As a guidebook for visitors to the Isle of Man describes:

Spectators gather all around the course at locations which have become part of road-racing history: Bray Hill, Quarter Bridge, Ballacraine, Laurel Bank, Baaregarrow, Ballaugh Bridge, Quarry Bends, Sulby Straight, Ramsey Hairpin, Gooseneck, Verandah, 32nd Milestone, Windy Corner, Kate's Cottage, Creg-ny-Baa, Hillberry, Signpost, Governor's Bridge.

Of corners that are named on any circuit, many are named after champion racers, and an example in the Snaefell course is Joey's Corner at the 26th Milestone, located there in honor of the 26 racing victories by racer Joey Dunlop on this course.

Some corners in the Snaeffell course are named for riders who suffered accidents at the corner or nearby: Doran's Bend, Brandish Corner. Others refer to the corner's physical shape: Verandah, The Nook. More take names of nearby artificial or natural landmarks: Creg-ny-Baa (a pub), Tower Bends, Bray Hill. Landmark-based names may continue to be used long after their namesake is gone: Keppel Gate, Signpost Corner.

The roads serve two-way public traffic for most of the year, and are closed during practice times and races. For the entire racing season of several weeks, the mountain portion of the course is restricted to one-way in the race direction, and parking is prohibited from various areas. These and other provisions allow racers and visiting motorcyclists to learn the corners and practice on the course.

The following is a partial list of named corners and other landmarks along the course. Turns described as left- or right-handers assume that travel is in the race direction, which is clockwise around the circuit.

Named corners

Corner Mileage	Photo	Location	Notes
St Ninian's Crossroads 0.29		On A2 (Ramsey to Douglas road) multi-junction, location of first permanent traffic signals in Isle of Man. 54°09′54″N 4°29′01″W	At St. Ninian's Church (dedicated to Ninian of Whithorn). A left-jink needing careful machine placement for the racing line. Close to the startline, is taken very fast on a flying lap [i.e., without stopping at the pits for refuelling and/or tyre(s)]
St Ninian's Crossroads alternative row 0.32		On A2 (Ramsey to Douglas road) multi-junction, location of first permanent traffic signals in Isle of Man. 54°09′54″N 4°29′01″W	After St. Ninian's Church, Bruce Anstey on the racing line through part of the left-jink starting the descent down Bray Hill riding in the 2015 Superbike class
Bray Hill 0.64		On A2 (Ramsey to Douglas road) 54°09′42″N 4°29′23″W	Very steep descent soon after the startline, with a slight curve, a sudden bottoming-out and a subsequent steep rise up another slightly-curving hill. The physics of it causes bikes to unload suspension after the base compression at 160 mph
Quarterbridge Road 0.79	File:Bruce Anstey at Selbourne Drive.jpg	On A2 (Ramsey to Douglas road), after multi side-road junction, Bray Hill becomes Quarterbridge Road 54°09′39″N 4°29′30″W	After bottoming-out following the descent down Bray Hill, a subsequent steep rise upwards causes race machines to wheely up a stretch famously known as "Ago's leap" (after 1960s-70s Italian race-ace Giacomo Agostini) and then crowning-out to a flat area (historically one of several startlines for early car racing). Road surface has been altered since Ago's departure (early 1970s) but the bikes are now twice as powerful (100 bhp/200 bhp) with larger engines. Followed by a steep descent and the first heavy-braking area of the lap at Quarter Bridge
Quarterbridge 1.26		Road junction of A2 Quarterbridge Road and A1 Peel Road 54°09′21″N 4°30′06″W	Also known as Quarter Bridge, a tight right turn on the course at a major junction with a traffic roundabout. At the bridge spanning the River Glass, at boundary of the historic "quarterlands" of Ballabrooie and Ballaquayle. Historically one of several startlines of early car racing.
Ballagarey Corner 3.75		On A1 (Douglas to Peel Road) 54°10′26″N 4°32′57″W	Named after Manx: Bailey ny liargee - farm of the slope
Crosby Cross-Roads 4.81			In the village of Crosby, population approximately 900.
Greeba Bridge 6.59		On A1 (Douglas to Peel Road) 54°11′48″N 4°36′19″W	Greeba Bridge name derived from Scandinavian: Gnipa, a peak. Previously known as Cronk Dhoo. In an area of farmland. Nearby summits include Beary Mountain (311m), Greeba Mountain (422m), Slieau Ruy (479) and Slieau Whallian (333m).
Ballacraine 7.65		Junction of A1 and A3 (Castletown to Ramsey Road) 54°12′10″N 4°37′34″W	Right-hand turn onto the A3. At east end of St. Johns village, with Ballacraine farm on the inside of the turn and the Ballacraine Hotel across the A3. The hotel is a former public house.
Doran's Bend 8.44		On A3 (Castletown to Ramsey) road 54°12′43″N 4°37′52″W	Named after Bill Doran, who crashed and broke a leg here during practice for the 1950 Isle of Man TT races, and who again crashed near here two years later, in practice for the 1952 Isle of Man TT, putting him out of that set of races, too.
Laurel Bank 8.75		On A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road 54°13′3″N 4°37′57″W	Fast right-hand turn (Manx: Cronk-y-Killey)
Glen Helen and Creg Willey's Hill 9.00 to 9.90		On A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road 54°13′33″N 4°37′02″W	Leading from Laurel Bank, through the sweeping left-hander at Glen Helen and up Creg Willey's Hill to Sarah's
Sarah's Cottage 9.93		on A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road 54°13′40″N 4°37′12″W	After Creg Willey's Hill, Sarah's is a right-turning bend at a small stone cottage on the outside of the bend, leading to the Cronk-y-Voddy straight. Named after the "Sarah" who, c.1900, lived there and served refreshments for travellers.
Lambfell 10.23		on A3 Castletown to Ramsey Road 54°13′49″N 4°37′07″W	Right/left curve after Sarah's, before the Cronk-y-Voddy straight on the A3, AKA Lambfell Cottage and (the area) Lambfell Moar
Molyneux's 11.03		A3	Right hander at the end of Cronk-y-Voddy straight. Named in 2013 after multi-TT winning rider Dave Molyneux
11th Milestone 11.49		On A3 (Castletown to Ramsey) road 54°14′43″N 4°35′48″W	A distinctive S-bend, also known as "Drinkwater's Bend", named after Ben Drinkwater who crashed fatally at this point during the 1949 350 cc Junior TT Race.
McGuinness's 12.45		Left hander before the top of Barregarrow on the A3	Named in 2013 after multi-TT winning rider John McGuinness
Barregarrow 12.75		At top of "Barregarroo hill" on the A3 Douglas Road; crossing C4 (Ballaleigh Road).	Crossroads that are also spelt Barrowgarroo and otherwise (pronounced as B'Garra). A popular vantage point.
Birkin's Bend 15.26		On A3 (Castletown to Ramsey) road 54°17′34″N 4°34′41″W	Named after racer Archie Birkin who was killed from crash here, when avoiding a fish-van, during practice for the 1927 Isle of Man TT. From 1928 on, public roads were closed for practice runs. No longer a clear turn due to roadway changes; part of the Rhencullen series of four bends.
Dub Cottage 16.21		On A3 (Castletown to Ramsey) road 54°18′14″N 4°33′48″W
Ballaugh Bridge 17.20		Bridge at junction of C37 Ballaugh Glen Road and A10 (Ballaugh Station Road) 54°18′34″N 4°32′28″W	Only remaining hump-backed bridge on the course, since removal of Ballig Bridge in 1935.
Ballacrye Corner 17.84		A3 (Castleton to Ramsey Road) 54°18′40″N 4°31′36″W	"Ballacrye" derives from Manx: McCray or Cry's farm. There's a drop in the road here that makes a jump—many racing motor-cycles lift off into the air—said to be the fastest and most dangerous jump on the course. Spectators are not allowed there, but television cameras placed below the jump show it well.
Quarry Bends 18.46		On A3 54°18′56″N 4°30′48″W	A complex of bends. A small railway siding off the Manx Northern Railway built in 1879 to serve Clarke's stone quarry at Ballavolley crossed the road here at Close e Volley, later renamed Quarry Bends.
Sulby Straight 19.16		On A3 54.319°N 4.490°W / 54.319; -4.490 (Sulby Straight)	1.5 miles (2.4 km) straight through Sulby, Isle of Man village. Racer Bruce Anstey reached 206 mph (331.51 km/h) here during practice for the 2006 Isle of Man TT which in 2015 remains the unofficial speed record on the racecourse and for the Isle of Man. He won the Superstock TT that year, and held the course lap record during 2014-2015.
Sulby Bridge 20.13		On A3 54°N 4°W	A wide 90-degree right turn at the end of Sulby Straight, exiting flat then with a slight rise climbing towards Ginger Hall
Ginger Hall 20.30		On A3 (Lezayre Road) 54.321°N 4.471°W / 54.321; -4.471 (Ginger Hall)	Climbing left-hander at the former Ginger Hall Hotel, named after the ginger beer once brewed and served there. A popular vantage point.
Kerrowmoar 20.62		On A3 (Lezayre Road) 54°19′15″N 4°27′45″W	Complex of bends.
School House Corner 23.50		on A3 (Lezayre Road), a left curve beyond a straight adjacent to the school premises with pedestrian overbridge 54°19′15″N 4°23′32″W	Name derives from the nearby Ramsey Grammar School and was formerly known as Russell's Corner after Benjy Russell who crashed fatally during the Lightweight Race for the 1949 Manx Grand Prix.
Parliament Square		A3 (Lezayre Road)	A hard right-hander after fierce braking into the central square and multi-road junction in the town of Ramsey, closely followed by a medium left-hander heading out of the square along Queen's Pier Road
Queen's Pier Road and May Hill		A18 Queen's Pier Road/May Hill	Queen's Pier Road at sea level, joining with May Hill starting to climb heading out of the town of Ramsey towards Cruickshank's Corner
Cruickshank's Corner		A18 Queen's Pier Road/May Hill	Right curve on A18 Queen's Pier Road at multi-junction where A18 becomes May Hill, slightly uphill leading out of the residential area on the outskirts of Ramsey
Whitegates		A18 May Hill/Hughenden Terrace 54°19′01″N 4°23′01″W	Whitegates, a left-hander heading out of the town of Ramsey towards Stella Maris
Stella Maris 24.00		A18 May Hill 54°18′53″N 4°23′00″W	Sweeping right-curve, climbing to the very outskirts of the Ramsey settlement, closely-preceding the Hairpin
Ramsey Hairpin 24.54		A18 Mountain Road 54°18′49″N 4°23′01″W	Hairpin curve at Ballacowle Glen in the outskirts of the town of Ramsey
Water Works Corner 25.94		On A18 Mountain Road 54°18′47″N 4°22′35″W	Two right-handers after Ramsey Hairpin whose name derives from the nearby Ballure Reservoir, was built in 1859 and extended in 1884.
Tower Bends 25.10		On A18 Mountain Road54°18′38″N 4°22′48″W	S-bend corner. Named after 45-foot granite and slate tower on Albert's Mount up to the east, at location where, in 1847, Albert, Prince Consort climbed up to see the view, on excursion from the Royal Yacht HMY Victoria and Albert. Queen Victoria remained on board.
Gooseneck 25.96		A18 Mountain Road 54°18′17″N 4°22′51″W	Right-turn, climbing corner that is a popular vantage point, as spectators can be very close to the riders. Fatal accidents in 1955 and 1994. occurred coming into and out of this corner.
26th Milestone 26.15		A18 Mountain Road 54°18′04″N 04°23′37″W	Also known as Joey's, named after 26-time-race-winner Joey Dunlop. Site of 2007 crash killing 1 rider and 2 spectators (the only spectators ever killed on the course).
Verandah 29.80		On A18 Mountain Road 54.26261°N 04.449246°W / 54.26261; -04.449246 (Verandah)	Series of four bends, at highest point on the course. Road is following contour of slope down from mount Snaefell to the right, with long drop-off to the left, and one irregular corner. In the 1934 Isle of Man TT Lightweight Race, Syd Crabtree, a previous race winner, went over the edge in fog here and was killed. Fatal accident of Gilberto Parlotti, race-leader of a 1972 Isle of Man TT race, contributed to the demise of Isle of Man TT being used for world championship races.
The Bungalow 30.93		Junction of A18 (Snaefell Mountain Road) and A14 (Sulby Glen Road) and the road-tramway crossing for the Snaefell Mountain Railway 54°15′04″N 4°27′47″W	Left then right corner, where course crosses tramway of the Snaefell Mountain Railway. Vantage point including tramway station, cafe, and a pedestrian bridge over the course. Dominated by Snaefell (elevation of 621m (2036 feet)) and other summits. Named after a former Swiss Chalet-style hotel there, the Bungalow Hotel.
Hailwood's Height 31.56		On A18 Mountain Road at (or near?) B10 road junction 54°14′36″N 4°28′12″W	Highest point of the course, at 422 metres (1,385 ft) above sea level. Hailwood's Rise, the uphill section approaching it from Bungalow, is named in memory of Mike Hailwood, the former world motorcycle champion who died in 1981.
Brandywell 31.65		On A18 Mountain Road at (or near?) B10 road junction 54°14′34.2″N 4°28′10.2″W
Brandywell alternative row 31.65		On A18 Mountain Road 54°14′34″N 4°28′20″W	A left-curve. Its name originates from a nearby water-well that was used by local shepherds to brand and sort flocks of mountain sheep. The area has a stone shelter and an Isle of Man Department of Transport Weather Station.
32nd Milestone 32.07		On A18 Mountain Road	Named as one of the more famous vantage points for race spectators.
Windy Corner 32.53		On A18 Mountain Road 54°13′50.4624″N 4°28′12.302″W	Righthander in open area. Prevailing wind, often strong and sometimes gusty, is channeled up a gully on the left (east). For spectators, the wind "whistles up your trouser-leg as you stand on the corner watching the riders hurl their bikes through the right-hander".
Keppel Gate 33.79		A18 Mountain Road 54°12′50″N 4°28′47″W	A bend to the left. Early on, the course along here was "little more than a cart and horse track" with gates between farm fields. Keppel Gate was a gate across the road to restrict sheep. Another sheep-gate was at Kate's House (54°12′40″N 4°28′38″W), itself a well-known landmark, just past. In early years, "[i]t was the duty of the first rider round in the morning to open all the gates along the way, with the last rider responsible in shutting them."
Creg-ny-Baa 34.52		Junction of A18 with secondary B12 Creg-ny-baa Back Road. 54°12′24″N 4°28′07″W	Right-turn corner, at the Keppel Hotel and its Creg-ny-Baa pub. Creg-ny-Baa means "Manx: rock of the cow." One of three official "fanzones" with temporary grandstands and facilities is placed here. One of the most photographed views on the course is from here, back up a long straightaway from Kate's Cottage.
Brandish Corner 35.41		A18 much improved in recent years 54°11′44″N 4°28′40″W	Named after Walter Brandish who crashed, breaking a leg, in the right-hand gutter here while trying to pass a competitor, during practice for the 1923 Isle of Man TT
Hillberry Corner 36.00		At A18 Mountain Road junction with C22 Little Mill Road 54°11′16″N 4°28′32″W	Once the location of startline for automobile races, including the 1908 Tourist Trophy race for racing automobiles on the Four Inch Course. An iron-framed grandstand built for spectators remains at the site.
Hillberry Corner alternative row 36.00		At A18 Mountain Road junction with C22 Little Mill Road 54°11′16″N 4°28′32″W	The run downhill from Brandish bottoms-out at Hillberry, before heading steeply uphill towards Cronk-ny-Mona
Cronk-ny-Mona 36.32		A18 54°11′00″N 4°28′33″W	A steep hill following on from Hillberry topping out with sweeping left hand bend. The hill interrupts the descent from Snaefell Mountain, which resumes at the next vantage point, the right turn at Signpost Corner starting the run down into the outskirts of Douglas town
Signpost Corner 36.67		A18 (Hillberry Road), A18 Sheading Bdy(?), B11(?) Hillberry becomes Avondale Road(?) 54°10′47″N 4°28′13″W	Right turn corner. When a rider passed, observers at a signal station here would telephone ahead to an official in the TT Grandstand area, who would switch on that rider's individual scoreboard light. This warned pit-crew and race-officials that the rider has passed Signpost Corner and may shortly be pulling into the pit lane at the TT Grandstand to refuel.
Bedstead Corner 36.90		On A18 Bemahague Road from Signpost, the left-hander at Bedstead (with pedestrian overbridge) leads to a small side-junction accessing the The Nook 54°10′38″N 4°28′17″W	Bedstead Corner and the general area between Signpost Corner and Governor's Bridge was rural through agricultural countryside, developed approximately 1990-2015 into large-scale housing/support infrastructure on either side with a recent pedestrian footbridge across, and much improvement to the road/course surface
The Nook 37.08		From A18 Bemahague Road, a right-turn at a small side-junction leads into Old Bemahague Road, followed by a slight-left and short straight before the Governor's Bridge/Governor's Dip link. Section is racetrack-only avoiding 'new' improved road and junction with modern traffic islands. 54°10′28″N 4°28′07″W	"The Nook" (Middle English: a corner or recess) is in the approach to the nearby Governor's Bridge road junction and hairpin bends, on a stretch of the original A18 Bemahague Road that the race course still runs through, although the alignment of the modern A18 has been shifted away.
Governor's Bridge/Governor's Dip 37.30		On Old Bemahague Road, a hard right-turn at hairpin bend with road junction and sudden elevation-drop into Governor's Dip, followed by a left before exiting with a right from a small side-junction at main A2 Glencrutchery Road, then to the finish line at the TT Grandstand 54°10′19″N 4°28′06″W	"Governor's Bridge", a road junction, hairpin bend and bridge over a stream, on a stretch of the original historic course. Traditionally damp and slippery road surface due to overhead tree canopy and little air movement in the dip. Before finish line at the TT Grandstand (54°10′04″N 4°28′41″W)

External links

• IOMTT: Where To Watch
• IOMTT discussion of landmarks
• IOMTT Prohibited and Restricted areas, in 2014 and 2015 are: Part 1, Part 2,
• Part 3
• Ultimate TT Course Map, a Google map