If you were hoping to experience the roaring streets of the Isle of Man TT in 2026, you are already too late. This event, with practice sessions starting on 25 May 2026 and racing commencing on the 30th, requires at least six to twelve months of planning, along with a substantial budget.
Alternatively, you could follow the path AJ (Allann-Jon) Venter has taken over the past nine years by competing in the race itself. This comes with a far steeper price tag, only alleviated by a three-year sponsorship deal worth R4.2 million, secured through the FuturExotics automotive group in 2025.
“Last year showed us exactly what AJ is capable of,” says Zunaid Moti, founder of FuturExotics. “To compete at this level, consistently, in an environment like the TT, takes exceptional skill and resilience. What stands out most is that he continues to improve. This partnership is about backing South African talent on a global stage and demonstrating that, with the right support, we can compete with the best in the world.”
This year, AJ celebrates his 50th TT race start, riding the same roads conquered by legends such as Michael Dunlop, Joey Dunlop, John McGuinness, arch-rivals Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini, Ian Hutchinson, and the larger-than-life fan favourite Guy Martin. He will be the only South African among a field of 89 riders in the Superbike TT.
In 2025, AJ secured a top 15 finish in the Superbike TT and recorded a top speed of 304 km/h. His personal best average lap speed reached 204 km/h, and his steady progress has seen him tipped for a top 20 finish in 2026. His weapon of choice is a fully dialled BMW S1000 RR.
This race is widely regarded as the most dangerous road race in the world, with a history that has claimed more than 280 lives since 1911. The year 2005 is often cited as the deadliest, when 11 people lost their lives.
The 60.7km Mountain Course features more than 300 corners along narrow, winding public roads bordered by stone walls, trees and spectators. Parts of the course climb to more than 396 metres over Snaefell mountain, while other sections pass directly through villages, with riders are seen becoming airborne at certain points.
Over the years organisers have introduced safety improvements, including better road surfaces, air fencing, and stricter regulations around training, qualifying, protective equipment and the use of GPS tracking devices. The risks, however, remain stark. Richard Quayle, a former TT champion, once told ‘The New York Times’ (as reported by the ‘Mirror’): “If Roger Federer misses a shot, he loses a point. If I miss an apex, I lose my life.”
The race remains inherently dangerous, but breathtakingly spectacular, attracting riders and fans drawn to exhilaration of high-speed road racing.
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Photo: FuturExotic.
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