Isle of Man TT abandoned early as weather grounds racing
Dean Harrison declared Senior race winner following Erno Kostamo crash; organisers cite safety concerns as event concludes prematurely.
The 2024 Isle of Man TT has been brought to an early close after persistent inclement weather forced organisers to cancel the remaining sessions. The decision followed the abandonment of Saturday’s rescheduled Senior race, which was halted after Erno Kostamo crashed at the 11th Milestone on the second lap.
The four-lap contest, originally scheduled for Friday but moved to Saturday due to prior weather delays, was declared a result based on the positions recorded at the end of the first lap. Dean Harrison was confirmed as the winner, finishing ahead of Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes. The second Sportbike race was also cancelled shortly after Michael Evans crashed at Braddan Oak.
Gary Thompson, the clerk of the course, described the situation as an "exceptional set of circumstances," noting that rain affected seven of the nine potential racing days. Organisers stated that forecast conditions were not expected to improve sufficiently to allow for safe further racing, citing low cloud, standing water, and changing conditions across the 37.73-mile Mountain Course.
Thompson acknowledged the unique challenges of holding an event on public roads, stating that weather and course conditions always play a significant role in determining operational feasibility. He thanked competitors, teams, marshals, volunteers, officials, medical staff, residents, partners, and fans for their patience and support throughout what he termed a difficult week.
Medical updates confirmed that Kostamo is conscious, stable, and talking while receiving treatment for leg and hip injuries. Jamie Cringle, who crashed during Friday’s Supersport race, is also conscious and stable, being treated for leg, chest, and back injuries. Evans was reported to be conscious and stable with no serious injuries following his Saturday crash.
The disruption mirrors last year’s Senior race, which was also scrapped due to weather concerns. The opening day of racing on 30 May was postponed, and several other sessions were called off or shortened. Organisers emphasised that the available operational windows did not provide a suitable opportunity to complete further racing safely.
No information has been provided regarding the exact extent of future TT events or potential rescheduling. The event’s reliance on public roads remains a defining characteristic that inherently links its viability to meteorological conditions.
