The legendary Isle of Man TT needs no introduction. Most of you have collected a vast amount of news, statistics and facts and stored them away under your helmets. But we've been rummaging about today to find a few things you may not know...

Back in 1985, Joey Dunlop almost missed the TT because his boat from Northern Ireland sank!

The fishing trawler Tornamona sank while sailing to the Isle of Man. Amongst others the boat was carrying Joey and Robert Dunlop, Brian Reid and all of their bikes. The crew and passengers had to abandon ship while the bikes disappeared under the waves. The bikes were salvaged, stripped down, rebuilt and taken over to the Isle of Man in time for the TT.

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Since 1907, the TT has only ever been cancelled for the two World Wars (1915 – 1919 and 1940 – 1946) and again in 2001, as part of in the effort to prevent the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK reaching the Isle of Man.

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The 17 minute lap record was finally broken by Michael Dunlop this year, who reached an average speed of 133.393mph around the 37.75 mile course. Dunlop came home to seal his 12th TT victory, moving into outright fifth on the all-time winners' list, just two victories behind TT legend Mike Hailwood.

Until this year, the perfect lap would have had to be cobbled together from the rides of Michael Dunlop himself, Michael Rutter and Steve Plater. (What is it about guys called Michael?!)