The Clypse Course
When the idea of returning a sidecar class to the TT was first mooted in 1953, it was felt that the Mountain course might prove too severe at test. Cyclists had used the 10.9-mile Clypse course, so called because it circled the Clypse Reservoir.
The Start The Mountain course start line was used, but at the St Ninian's crossroads, it turned right at Parkfield Corner. The bumpy Ballanard Road led along to Willaston Corner, where another right-hander took the course out into the country up the winding Johnny Watterson's Lane, through the left-hander Cronk y Berry and then Edge's Corner, a right-hander which leads up to Cronk ny Mona, where the Mountain course is rejoined.
From Cronk ny Mona it is a blast down backwards to Hillberry, up the long climb to Brandish, a further climb to Creg ny Baa (3.6 miles), where we leave the Mountain course and head right towards Laxey. For nearly two miles, from the Creg, the road winds and twists, narrow here, wide there, and mainly climbing, until, just under five miles from the pits it attains maximum altitude (850 feet above sea level) and starts on the quick, but winding descent to the Five and a Half, where it turns sharp right, a handy slip road is provided!
From then on, it's all downhill to Onchan. Cronk-ny-Garroo comes at 6.2 miles, and after it chasing this way and that (to keep the sidecar passengers awake!), Ennemona Corner (left), some quick flicks then Begoade (left), Morney Corner (right) and then Hall Corner, another right-hander where the Onchan to Laxey road is reached. It's a fast downhill sweep through White Bridge and then into Onchan, where you turn right at The Manx Arms, climbing steadily, the left-right flick passes the Archibald Knox pub, where once stood the Nursery Hotel.
On up to Signpost Corner (9½ miles) where sharp (very sharp) left. Another first-class slip-road here, where the TT Mountain Course comes in, the down through Bedstead, the Nook and so to Governor's. The Governor's Bridge dip was omitted from the Clypse Course, so it was a flat out dash to the line. Most Clypse course races were of 10 lap duration.
The Clypse course hosted races from 1954 to 1959; after this time all races reverted to the Mountain circuit.