Organisers of the Isle of Man TT races yesterday insisted the controversial event would go ahead - despite the death of three competitors during practice.

Two experienced riders suffered fatal injuries in crashes yesterday, four days after a sidecar passenger fell to his death.

The latest victims of the mountainous public road circuit were Lancashire based Mick Lofthouse and New Zealander Robert Holden. Aaron Kennedy from Warwickshire died on Monday.

The overall death toll of the event, which was first run in 1907, now stands at 167.

But clerk of the course Jack Wood, visibly moved by the double fatality, said. You stop and wonder why you are doing it, but the answer is simple. You are doing it because the competitors want you to do it.

"To them personal pleasure far outweighs the risks. Racing here is the greatest challenge. Even so, everyone feels every incident."