For 100 years the Isle of Man Mountain Course has been the ultimate challenge in motorcycle road- racing as it twists and turns through towns, villages and open countryside, before climbing over bleak mountain and moorland, then plunging almost to sea level to complete its dramatic 37 mile lap distance.

Every bend, every straight, indeed every yard of this unique course has a story to tell and supported by over 500 illustrations, here are recollections from many of the top road-racers of the past century, whose skills have pushed lap speeds from 50 mph in 1911 to over 130 mph in 2011.