Phillip McCallen pulled out all the stops to try and match his own four-in-a-week record, but ultimately had to settle for three victories in 1997 as he continued to dominate the middle part of the decade. A big accident at Quarry Bends during the Lightweight TT put paid to McCallen’s ambitions, but it opened the door for Joey Dunlop to claim win number 22.

New names were etched onto the TT trophies too, with Dave Morris and Roy Hanks joining the list of victors. 1997 also saw some notable podium finishes – including one for a young John McGuinness and another for Robert Dunlop, making an emotional return to the island after recovering from serious injuries sustained three years earlier.