The first Isle of Man TT races in 1907 used the St John’s course. Its lap measured 15.85 miles, or about 25.5 kilometres.
Charles Collier won the single-cylinder class on a Matchless, while Rem Fowler took the twin-cylinder class on a Peugeot-engined Norton. Rough roads challenged mechanical durability; fuel economy mattered alongside speed.
The competition was closely tied to touring motorcycles. Regulations covered saddles, pedals, mudguards and exhaust silencers.
The TT moved to the Snaefell Mountain Course in 1911, also the year of the first Senior TT. These dates mark different beginnings: 1907 for the event, and 1911 for its famous mountain circuit.