Some of the greatest two-wheel racers have pitted themselves against the Manx roads, including a number of New Zealanders. One, Bruce Anstey, had eight wins.
This month sees the release of TT3D: Closer to the Edge, a documentary that follows the week-long adventure that is the IoM TT and focuses on English rider Guy Martin and his single-minded drive to win. It squeezes 500 hours of footage into 90 minutes of film that gives viewers just enough time to take a breath before the action is cranked up again.
Where the movie really seems to excel is in its ability to capture the human element. I don't mean the angst and worry of the fans and people close to riders, but in the desire of riders to sit poised on the edge of disaster for every second of every lap.
Some riders are quiet and reflective in the lead-up to the tap on the shoulder that releases them on their first lap, while others are a bunch of jangling nerves.
Martin, on the other hand, has an almost flippant approach to it all. There's no denying his only reason for being on earth is to get his hands on the TT trophy.
It's in his approach to going racing that generates most of the laughs. Even down to the time he turned up to register without his competition licence.
I won't go as far as to say that Martin has a kangaroo loose in his top paddock, but without spoiling the film it'd be fair to say at times it's ready to jump the fence.
Martin is never short of a comment about everything from his bike to the organisers. He manages to annoy his mates, his mechanics, the powers-that-be and he's the only racer I know of who doesn't mind having a pop at his sponsor.
His redeeming feature, however, is he does it all with a certain style and character, often punctuated with a cheeky smile and cutting quip. And there's no mistaking his passion for the IoM and its history.
Graeme Crosby - one of New Zealand's best-known racers and three-time IoM winner - was a bit of a maverick himself and said motorcycle racing was about showmanship and entertaining the fans.
Martin must have been listening to Crosby because whether or not he realises it, he carries the show and makes it more than just a documentary about racing at the TT.
Martin's manic approach to everything is tempered by glimpses of the more sane riders - the likes of veteran John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson and local boy Conor Cummins. Needless to say, though, it is the IoM TT and not everyone gets to walk away.
The great thing about the movie is that it garnered praise from inside and outside the sport.
The British press were suitably impressed, including the now defunct News of the World, which said: "The film brilliantly captures the thrill and risk of the race, and the passion and insanity of the people who take part. And it looks astounding."
Even the film industry was impressed. Industry magazine Empire gave the movie four out of five stars and said: "The Isle of Man TT is pure cinema - an insane blur of leather and machines that claims several lives every year - and director Richard de Aragues shows the bikers in their fearless element."
* TT3D: Closer To The Edge opens in NZ on August 25.
