Birkin's Bend is named after racer Archie Birkin, who was killed here during early-morning practice for the 1927 Isle of Man TT when he swerved to avoid a fish van being driven on what were then still open public roads. Birkin, aged 22 and brother of the celebrated 'Bentley Boy' Tim Birkin, died from the crash, and the tragedy directly prompted organisers to close the public roads for all TT and Manx Grand Prix practice sessions from 1928 onward - a safety reform still in force today. The bend itself is no longer clearly identifiable owing to later roadway changes.