LivingWithGravity is sorry to hear about the tragic accident that took the life of racer Raul Torras Martinez during the Supertwin race at the 2023 Isle of Man TT. Martinez was an experienced racer from Sant Hilari Sacalm in Spain and had competed in multiple road races, including the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, and Macau Grand Prix.
Accident
The accident occurred on the final lap of the Supertwin race at the Alpine section of the course, between the 16th and 17th-mile markers. Alpine is between Kirk Michael and the Ballaugh Bridge on the Isle of Man’s Mountain Course. The specific details of the accident should be provided in your shared information.
Commentators noted that the lighting conditions during the race were becoming more difficult as the sun started to go down. While it is unclear if the lighting conditions played a role in the accident, it was mentioned that Martinez, being an experienced racer, would have had strategies to deal with such situations while riding and racing.
Loss
The racing community profoundly feels the loss of Martinez, as he was well-known and liked in the paddock. He had competed in numerous TT races and earned 18 Isle of Man Bronze Replica trophies throughout his career. Martinez’s impact was significant enough to become a playable character in the TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge video game.
The tragedy has led to an outpouring of condolences and sympathies from international motorcycling and racing communities. It is a reminder of the risks involved in motorsports and the profound impact they can have on individuals and their loved ones.
About Isle of Man TT
The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is an annual motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man in May/June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world, as many competitors have died.
The Isle of Man TT is run in a time-trial format on public roads closed to the public by an Act of Tynwald. The event consists of one week of practice sessions and one week of racing.
It has been a tradition, perhaps started by racing competitors in the early 1920s, for spectators to tour the Snaefell Mountain Course on motorcycles during the Isle of Man TT on Mad Sunday, an informal and unofficial sanctioned event held on the Sunday between Practice Week and Race Week.
