Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. NEW SEARCH FOR TT PROMOTER TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 24th Oct 2015

   The search for an external commercial promoter for the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT will begin next month with the aim of making an appointment prior to TT2016. Plans to progress an international TT series are being put on hold for the time being.

   The decisions have been made following the completion of the tender process undertaken by the Department of Economic Development to find a commercial promoter for the TT, Classic TT and an international TT Series.

   The Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly stated:

   'The IOM TT Races are iconic. They are very special to many in the motorsport community. They also play a huge role in our community, bringing over £25m into the Island's economy. The TT brand helps raise the image and awareness of the Isle of Man globally.

   'Given this, IOM Government is committed to growing both the TT and the Classic TT sustainably and in a manner that works for both fans and the Island. To do so, we need to invest in the events so that we can bring exciting new content while maintaining our proud heritage. Our Department has shown we can manage this delicate balance through the highly successful Festival of Motorcycling as well as the growth we have delivered in the TT in recent years, both in terms of the visitors drawn to our Island as well as the global TV audience of nearly 30m. We must continue to seek new opportunities for growth - it is in that spirit that we entered into the procurement process this year to seek a private promoter with the right skills and resources to help us grow the TT and Classic TT as well as launch a new, ambitious international TT Series.

   'Our Department has learned a great deal over the last year, both through this process and through the excellent growth we have continued to deliver in 2015. We were very fortunate that we received strong bids from several organisations. As a result, I remain convinced that we need a private promoter partner who can bring relevant expertise, commercial acumen, new ideas and
   investment so that the TT and Classic TT can continue to grow. This is also consistent with our policy to deliver a smaller, simpler Government.

   'With regard to the proposed TT Series, this has always been a relatively high risk idea - indeed, some people have voiced concerns that the TT Series might fail or might dilute focus on the Isle of Man events, either of which could harm the TT and/or the Island's economy. Our Department therefore considered very carefully the bids to see whether we could be confident we could deliver the proposed TT Series while managing the risks. Government must be mindful of the importance of the TT to many other stakeholders including local businesses, so our Department has applied a higher threshold of risk than say a private organisation would apply. We have therefore decided that the best way forward is to focus on growing the home events and making them more appealing. As we strengthen our events on the Island and the TT's brand internationally, we will continue to monitor the global motorsport market so that we can pursue the TT Series concept as and when we feel the time is right.

   'I am announcing that we will soon commence a new procurement process to find the right promoter partner to help us grow the TT and Classic TT. Government must be seen to be fair to all potential bidders, so given this is different in scope to the previous procurement process it is necessary to commence a new process. We expect to be able to complete this new process prior to TT2016, which will enable us to maintain the momentum we have already built in our plans to date. I believe this is the right way forward to deliver best value for the taxpayer, grow our economy and respect the TT's loyal fan base.

   'May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given us their views on how we should seek to grow the TT, especially the bidders, our Department's staff and our advisers who have all worked hard and acted so professionally throughout the process.'

   IOM Government spends over £5m annually to host the IOM TT Races and Festival of Motorcycling and recoups a similar sum from the associated sponsorship and tax receipts. As a result, the Island's economy gains an annual boost of over £25m as well as invaluable international publicity. The Department believes that a private promoter partner can help to improve the TT and Classic TT and as a result continue to grow visitor numbers, media coverage and sponsorship, helping to deliver further economic growth and Government income.

2. National Motorcycle Museum - Busy Time At The Classic TT!

   Posted on 10:10am Wednesday 30th Sep 2015

   The National Motorcycle Museum had a particularly busy fortnight at this year’s Classic TT Festival, taking part in various high profile activities both on and off the track.

   They really did take the museum to the people with no less than 32 Norton’s from every era being transported from the collection over to the island for our huge “pop up” museum display. From 1906 through to the 1990s, a Norton race machine from every decade of the last century was displayed in what many visitors described as “the best display ever seen in a TT paddock”.

   One of the biggest highlights for many was the “Norton - The Rotary Years” – Parade.
   
   Whilst individual Norton rotary race bikes have appeared in parade laps around the Mountain Course - and, of course featured in race wins and podiums - never before had so many appeared at one time on the island. A sunny Saturday on 29/08/15 saw no less than 12 of the revolutionary machines, all owned by the National Motorcycle Museum, take to the 37.73-mile course.
   
   A whole host of famous names had the honour of taking part including some of the bike’s original riders including Trevor Nation, Steve Cull & Ian Simpson. Other riders included William and Michael Dunlop, Michael Rutter and Jamie Whitham.
   
   “The White Charger” that the late Steve Hislop famously rode to victory in the 1992 Senior was ridden by 23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness resplendent in replica Hislop leathers & helmet!
   
   Sunday 30/08/15 saw many of the museum’s ex-works rotary Norton’s appear once again on the short circuit at the Festival of Jurby with the likes of McGuinness, Rutter & Cull onboard.

   Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing had a challenging week with team rider William Dunlop posting a DNF in the F1 race on the team’s rotary Norton race machine. Museum Director James Hewing commented: “Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing’s entry to run a Norton rotary race machine in the F1 event was a huge challenge and we are obviously disappointed not to have finished. William Dunlop and the whole team worked tirelessly all week with William declaring the bike ‘wicked fast’. Everyone knows that there is no tougher place to go racing and feedback from race fans has been really positive”.

   The Museum film crew has created four short films from the event which include the paddock “pop up” museum, the rotary parade, the festival of Jurby and Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing. All these films will be available to view from early October on the museum’s new website www.thenmm.co.uk
   
   
   
   

3. MICHAEL DUNLOP TOPS THE LEADERBOARD AS RIDERS GET ON THE PACE IN CLASSIC TT QUALIFYING

   Posted on 10:00pm Thursday 27th Aug 2015

   Competitors at Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts enjoyed their first full qualifying session this evening as the Mountain Course was bathed in sunlight and riders were even warned about glare.

   The F1/F2 and 500cc's were first on the track with Michael Dunlop and Michael Rutter, as they did in last night's session, managed to get to the front of the queue of bikes in pit lane and got away first at the scheduled start time of 6.20. Dunlop went out on the F1 Team Classic Suzuki while Rutter opted for a lap on the Seeley /Ripley Land Racing machine that he will race in Saturday's Bennetts 500cc Race.

   Dunlop in particular was able to put the weather frustrations earlier in the week behind him, and indeed his TT experience earlier in the year, blasting a standing start lap of 122.96 mph, the fastest time of the night and the first 120+mph lap of the meeting.

   Ryan Farquhar, riding the Team Winfield Harris Yamaha, reminded his countryman that he will face significant competition in Monday's Motorsport Merchandise F1 Race posting 122.134, 8 seconds back on his opening lap.

   Behind the Northern Ireland pair, the next nine riders in the session all clocked laps in excess of 117mph, finally getting the chance to put their F1 machines properly through their paces with the Kawasakis of James Hillier (Greenhall Racing) and Ivan Lintin (Steelcote Solutions Ltd), notably to the fore at 118.59 and 118.563 respectively and Australian Dave Johnson on the Team York Suzuki continuing his form from the TT in June with 117.817

   Bruce Anstey went out on the Valvoline by Padgetts Racing YZR Yamaha 750 that he won last year's race on and completed a steady first lap before stopping at Sulby on his second lap while James Cowton and Chris Moore both clocked 107mph laps in the F2 Class.

   John McGuinness topped the 500cc leader board with two sub 21 minute laps (110.634 and (108.79) and the Morecambe Missile will be looking to add his first Classic TT victory in Saturday's Bennetts 500cc Race to his 23 TT Race wins and put the disappointment of breaking down in the last two 500cc Classic Races in 2013 and 2014.

   The sun, and temperature, dropped for the 350's who went away in the second session at 7.30pm. Lee Johnston, riding the Black Eagle Racing MV, showed the form that won him last year's Okells 350cc Race topping the session with 102.321, the only lap over 100mph.

   Classic racing specialist Alan Overby on the Davies Motorsport Honda was second on the night with 98.283 mph from Jamie Coward (Ted Woof Craven Honda K4) and Danny Webb, a late replacement for the injured Cameron Donald, who enjoyed a notable run on the Molnar Manx Norton in fourth (96.791). Keith Amor (Dunnell Racing Manx Norton), who missed last year's race with injury, completed the top five.

   Tomorrow's session sees the 500's out first at 18.20 with the F1 and F2 machines due to go out at 19.25 and the riders will be hoping for another clear session ahead of Saturday's first race, the Bennetts 500cc.

4. Former GP Rider Danny Webb Replaces Cameron Donald in All Star Team Molnar Manx Classic TT Line Up

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 21st Aug 2015

   Team Molnar Manx will have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid at this month's Classic TT presented by Bennetts with a four-rider line up set to contest a combination of the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT and Okells Brewery 350cc Classic TT Races.

   Spearheading the line-up is 11-times TT winner Michael Dunlop who will be riding one of Andy Molnar's special 4-valve 500cc Norton's. The Ballymoney rider won the inaugural Formula One Classic TT race in 2013 but has yet to enjoy the same success in the 500cc counterpart.

   He took seventh in 2013 and was set to finish two places higher twelve months ago before being forced to retire at the end of lap three. His fastest lap on the Manx Norton currently stands at 106.773mph though and he'll be confident of going quicker on the 4-valve version.

   Joining him in the team for a third consecutive year is this year's TT Privateer's Champion Dan Cooper and he'll contest the 350cc Race in addition to the 500cc. The Stroud rider led last year's Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race until being overhauled by Ian Lougher but second place and a lap of 108.042mph shows he'll be amongst the race favourites again this year.

   The 27-year old will also be in action on Molnar's 350cc Manx Norton and although he retired from last year's race when lying fifth, he took third place for the team in the inaugural 2013 race. Having lapped in excess of 101mph, he'll also be a potential race winner here.

   Cameron Donald had been due to ride for the team as well, giving them three excellent chances of victory but, unfortunately, the Australian ace injured his hand in a recent spill whilst racing in Malaysia. However, the team has acted quickly to find a replacement and former 125cc and Moto 3 Grand Prix rider and current British Supersport Championship contender Danny Webb will now take part in the 500cc and 350cc Races.

   The Tunbridge Wells rider made his TT debut in 2013, immediately lapping at more than 120mph and winning four replicas in the process. He returned this year and posted his first top ten finish with an excellent tenth in the Lightweight Race.

   Completing the line-up for Team Molnar is veteran Scottish rider Wattie Brown who'll ride a traditional two-valve Manx Norton in the Bennett's 500cc Classic TT. The Stirling rider has taken no less than seven podiums in the Classic Manx Grand Prix and is sure to acquit himself around the Mountain Course once more.

   Speaking about his team's chances, Team Owner Andy Molnar commented:

   "We are particularly pleased to be able to give young Danny Webb a ride on our bikes, as I see it as being critically important to the future of the Classic TT to bring in new blood both for riders and entrants. I watched Danny's exploits on the world stage with interest and always said that as soon as he had finished messing about there we would get him on our bikes! I believe that riding the Classics will give him a good chance to improve his circuit knowledge and develop as a TT rider."

5. LINE UP CONFIRMED FOR NORTON - THE ROTARY YEARS

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 13th Aug 2015

   PARADE SPONSORED BY ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET

   One of the biggest highlights of the 2015 Classic TT presented by Bennetts will be the 'Norton - The Rotary Years - Parade sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company', featuring a number of the iconic machines which took countless wins and podiums in the British Championship, as well as at the Isle of Man and other International road races between 1987 and 1994.

   While the Norton Rotary has appeared in many parade laps around the Mountain Course - and, of course featured in race wins and podiums - never before have so many appeared in one time on the island. Indeed, the Mountain Course lap will see no less than 13 of the revolutionary machines, owned by the National Motorcycle Museum, take to the 37.73-mile course.

   The first incarnation of the rotary developed by Brian Crighton, the driving force behind the machines, was the RCW and this forms more than half the parade line up with eight of the black clad John Player Special sponsored machines lining up on the grid. Ridden between 1988 and 1990 by riders such as Steve Spray, Ron Haslam, Robert Dunlop and Ray Stringer, the ITV4 trio of Steve Parrish, Steve Plater and James Whitham will ride three of the machines while Malcolm Wheeler will ride a fourth with a subsequent feature appearing in Classic Racer magazine.

   Trevor Nation and Steve Cull both took International road race podiums on the JPS Norton with the former finishing second in the 1990 Senior TT. Both will be reunited with their old mounts with the two remaining RCW machines set to be ridden by William Dunlop, representing his late father Robert, and Australian ace and current works Norton rider, Cameron Donald.

   By 1990, a newer version of the 588cc machine had been developed and was badged the NRS. Nation and Dunlop both campaigned the machine at the TT, the latter taking third in both the 1990 F1 and 1992 Senior races. His youngest son Michael will be on board one of them in this year's parade with Manxman Conor Cummins on the second.

   The final works NRS Norton Rotary in the parade is arguably the most famous - 'The White Charger' that the late Steve Hislop famously rode to victory in the 1992 Senior, which was voted the greatest TT race of all time. Hislop was riding number 19 that day and 23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness will have the honour of riding the machine.

   The two remaining machines are the only ones that didn't race at the TT. On leaving the official Norton team, engineering guru Crighton first created the Roton and then the Duckhams QXR Norton, the latter going on to dominate the British Superbike Championship in 1994.

   The late Mark Farmer first rode the bike in 1992 before Jim Moodie finished second in both the Supercup and British Superbike Championship in 1993. However, the team enjoyed their finest moments in 1994 when they expanded to a two-rider line up in the shape of Ian Simpson and Phil Borley. Between them, the duo took no less than 14 wins and 31 podiums on their way to finishing first and third respectively in the British Superbike Championship and they also took multiple 1-2 finishes in a host of non-Championship meetings across the UK that season.

   Simpson will ride the number 25 machine that took him to the title with the other bike being ridden by Peter Hickman, whose dad Dave played a major part in the Norton rotary's success, working with Crighton on the machines from 1987 onwards.

   The riders will leave the line in single file and in chronological order to a narration read by Manx Radio TT Anchorman Tim Glover, which will tell the story of the Norton rotary's remarkable history as well as the riders that rode them.

   David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government's representative for Tourism and Motorsport commented:

   "This stunning assembly of machines and riders will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the motorsport calendar on the Isle of Man this year and will be a great tribute not only to some of the greatest and most evocative machines in the TT's history but also some of the legendary riders that raced them. Norton has a special place in the Isle of Man's history and I'm sure that TT fans around the world will enjoy seeing these great bikes take to the Mountain Course again."