VISITORS to the Sea Terminal will be surprised to see a motorcyclist with a difference during this year’s TT festival – a lifesize sculpture of a Loaghtan sheep riding a Yamaha 600.
‘Loaghtan Racer’, which was created by local artist Karl Garrett, is on display in the departure lounge and will be there throughout the summer.
Karl, from Douglas, said: ‘The TT has always been part of my life. I’ve watched it for more than 35 years, from childhood to adulthood, and my memories are of hot summers, the smell of leather, the roar of the bikes, the fantastic atmosphere, and I wanted to try and capture all that. The Loaghtan and the TT races are two of the most symbolic images of the island.
‘Former racer Barry Wood donated his racing leathers and boots. Barry made his Manx Grand Prix debut in 1988 and competed almost every year until 2006, achieving many successes, and he also rode in the TT from 1998 to 2007, when an accident during practice left him with injuries that ended his racing career.
‘I’d like to thank the Department of Infrastructure for offering Loaghtan Racer a new home during the summer and I hope visitors and locals alike enjoy seeing him up close.’
