These racers are a unique breed who ride for the sheer enjoyment of the sport rather than for any lucrative financial rewards which are offered by other sports.

One such rider, who forms the backbone of the two-week festival of speed, is experienced Northern Ireland rider Brian Gardiner.

The 39-year-old County Antrim rider has competed since the late 1980s.

With the help of sponsorship from local businesses and enthusiastic individuals, he has achieved some impressive results.

He was second in the Lightweight 400cc event in 2000 and finished eighth in the prestigious Formula One event in the same year.

"Good results like that help to get sponsorship but it financially, it is difficult.

"In the case of most riders, you certainly do not race to make a profit and in many cases, you are lucky to break even,"said Gardiner.

For many teams competing on a limited budget, motorcycle road racing is very much a family affair and this is certainly the case with the Gardiners.

Brian's father, uncles and cousins all play their part as mechanics and wife Anne and children, Katie and Sarah are also regular racegoers.

Anne has always been keen on motorbikes and it was she who encouraged Brian to go racing after he competed in scrambling and owned a road bike.

She is acutely aware of the dangers of racing on public roads, having lost many friends over the years, but believes that you cannot afford to dwell on the fatalities in the sport.

"I accept that it is a dangerous sport but I do not get nervous at most of the events in Northern Ireland.

High-speed exploits

"I believe he is safer racing in controlled conditions than riding fast on the roads.

"The Isle of Man TT is the exception as the course is 37.73 miles long and for most of the time, you cannot see what is happening on the circuit.

"There are early morning practices and the meeting lasts for two weeks. The whole thing is very intense with butterflies in the stomach a lot of the time."

While admiring the high-speed exploits of her husband, Anne also has the opportunity to admire the skill and bravery of the female riders who tackle the Mountain Course.

"Girls like Sandra Barnett and Kate Parkinson are very fast and very stylish and are more than capable of holding their own against the men.

"When I was in my early 20s, I thought of giving the racing a go myself but it looks like that ambition will remain unfulfilled. I will have to settle for helping with the timekeeping."