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Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix
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Energy drinks brand Monster Energy has renewed its title sponsorship of the Isle of Man TT Races in a new multi year deal. The USA based company has been the title sponsor of the world's leading road race since 2010.
The deal will see Monster Energy handed a range of high-profile benefits including the overall Presenting Sponsorship, naming rights to the two Supersport Races, presence on the official iomtt.com website, advertising around the TT control tower in the race paddock, Grandstand and Mountain Course as well as a high profile branded start gantry featuring the famous Monster 'claw'. The TT Races will continue to carry the credit ‘fuelled by Monster Energy’.
Monster Energy will also be bringing its entertainment infrastructure to the famous promenade entertainment programme with five evenings of brand-endorsed music, stunts and appearance by Monster Energy brand ambassadors including global FMX talent such as Andre Villa, in their TT Mayhem show.
The company has a high profile association with Motorsports events including presenting sponsorships of FIM Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup, Rallycross RX, FIM Motocross World Championships. Monster’s connection within the world of motorsport also includes sponsorship of the Yamaha MotoGP team, Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha Motocross outfit and rally driver Ken Block. The company also supports 19-time TT race champion John McGuinness and the Yamaha factory backed Milwaukee Yamaha Superbike Team that features leading TT racers William Dunlop and Conor Cummins.
John Beasley. VP of Marketing at Monster Energy Europe commented: "The Isle of Man TT has been one of the most powerful motorsports activities for Monster Energy in Europe. The TT and its amazing fan-base never fail to inspire us through awesome levels of participation and the spectacle they manage to produce year after year. We’re really pleased to be extending the association and are looking forward to our involvement in the continued growth of the TT."
Trevor Hussey, TT and Motorsport Development Director, Isle of Man Government commented: "Monster Energy has made a major commitment to the TT Races and has become a valuable partner for us in delivering a successful event. Our commercial programme goes from strength to strength and this is epitomised by Monster Energy's commitment. We are pleased and proud to be working with them for an extended period of time."
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With just over 100 days to go to the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, demand for VIP Hospitality experiences and Grandstand tickets has reached unprecedented levels.
The 1000 seat Glencrutchery Road Grandstand posted sold out notices for all four race days in July of last year and tickets for the official 'Fanzones' around the course at the CregNy Baa (400 seats), Ballacrye (200 seats), Crosby Jump (200 seats), and the viewing platform at Rhencullen (100 persons capacity), are all now also seeing limited availability on several days. The Glencrutchery Road Grandstand has also sold all the available tickets for the final qualifying session.
Tickets for the traditional Senior Race Day Isle of Man bank holiday have always been in demand and they are also selling well for the other three race days. Due to demand, the TT organisers are now adding another 280 seat Fanzone Grandstand to be situated at the end of the competitors return road in Nobles Park, with fantastic views along Glencrutchery Road. The new Grandstand will open in time for the final two qualifying sessions on Thursday 30th and Friday the 31st May, with the Creg Ny Baa also opening two days earlier than originally advertised. Tickets for the new Grandstand will go on sale on Monday 18th February 2013.
The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic of Development has also upgraded its official VIP Hospitality offering for 2013 introducing a new 500 capacity luxury unit for this year's TT Races and the inaugural Classic TT, which forms part of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling later on this year. The brand new, facility features a magnificent glass-fronted structure offering fantastic views of the riders as they finish.
Interest in TT VIP Hospitality experiences has been considerable, and despite the 65% increase in capacity for 2013, Senior Race Day is sold out with the Wednesday Race Day packages also close to a sellout. Packages for the Saturday and Monday Race Days are also selling quickly.
The new unit will play host to a number of additional events during this year's TT and Classic TT Races including the TT Preview Night on Friday 31st May and the MotoGP Mad Sunday Lunch on Sunday 2nd June. Former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson is hosting both events with only a limited number of tickets still remaining.
Tickets are also selling well for the newly formed Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling which takes place in August 2013, with the two Classic TT Race Days already seeing significant interest in both Grandstand seats and VIP Hospitality packages. The venue will also feature a Classic TT themed party on Saturday 24th August and a TT Heroes Dinner on Sunday 25th August during the Classic TT weekend.
Fans can also get exclusive behind the scenes access to the press launch on 9th and 10th April and the Final Qualifying session on Friday 31st May at the TT itself. Both packages include exclusive opportunities to meet and interview the riders as they prepare for the World's biggest road racing event.
To reserve your tickets today visit www.iomtt.com or alternatively contact Regency Travel on 01624 694456 or Duke Marketing on 01624 640000.
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Austrian rider Horst Saiger will make his Mountain Circuit debut in June when he competes in the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy. The vastly experienced Saiger, Swiss National Champion for the past two seasons, will contest the Superbike, Royal London 360º Superstock and Senior TT races on a 1000cc ZX-10R Kawasaki.
Saiger, whowill run his own team with support from Kawasaki Switzerland, already has considerable road racing experience having been a regular at the Macau Grand Prix over the last few seasons, including a superb fifth place at last year's event, a career best result.
In addition, he made a sensational debut at the 2012 North West 200 road races where he competed in the two Superstock races. Having taken a solid 16th place in the first, damp race, he really proved his road racing credentials in the second race on Saturday with a stunning 10th place and 117mph+ lap, finishing ahead of star names like Gary Johnson, Adrian Archibald, Ian Lougher and Stefano Bonetti.
Hailing from the town of Knittelfeld, Saiger also has vast experience in the Endurance World Championship, having competed in the series for over a decade for high profile teams including YART and former TT competitors Bolliger Kawasaki. An almost ever-present in the top 8 of the Championship, Saiger's results include second overall in 2010, third in 2009 and fourth in 2004 and 2006 with podiums and numerous top five finishes at the Le Mans 24- Hour, Bol d'Or, 8 Hours of Oschersleben, 8 Hours of Qatar and 8 Hours of Albacete.
An International rider of great pedigree, Saiger has also competed in the World Superbike Championship and at the Daytona 200 and his appearance adds further spice to the entry list and reaffirms the status, and appeal, the races again hold.
Commenting on his TT races debut, Horst Saiger said:
"The TT has a very large profile in Austria and Germany and I have already had lots of interest from media and fans in my debut. The Mountain Course is one of the world's most famous race circuits and I am looking forward to testing myself on the track."
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, commented:
"I'm delighted that we have secured the signature of Horst Saiger for the 2013 TT Races. He is a proven international competitor with widespread experience and a great track record. He's already shown his road racing credentials and will be an exciting addition to the 2013 line up who will, I'm sure attract a lot of interest not only in his homeland but also from TT fans around the world."
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Seven riders will battle it out for the Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, in association with Adelaide Insurance Services.
The “Magnificent 7” have been shortlisted after thousands of bike fans voted in a special online poll for their favourite rider of 2012. The winner will be presented with the famous Joey Dunlop trophy at the Adelaide Motorcycle Awards in Belfast on January 18.
There are four short-circuit competitors, two road racers and one off road rider in the mix to win the most prestigious award in Irish Motorcycling. Clogher’s Keith Farmer is short listed for the second year in a row after winning a second successive British Championship. He added the Superstock 1000cc title to the 600cc crown he won last year, and has secured a ride in the British Superbike Series next season. Michael Dunlop winning his second TT in June, recording 5 wins at the Southern 100 in July, taking his first international Superbike victory at the Ulster Grand Prix in August and claiming the Open Irish road race championship in September.
Jack Kennedy from Dublin was a multiple winner in the British Supersport Championship. He was denied an overall victory after breaking down in the last race of the season.
On the world scene, Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty finished fifth and sixth respectively in the World Superbike Championship. Rea was also the first British winner of the Suzuka 8 hour race and deputised in MotoGP for Casey Stoner.
In road racing, Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar secured a unique treble of NW200, UGP and TT victories before retiring at the end of the year, while Michael Dunlop from Ballymoney had an thrilling UGP double, an Isle of Man TT victory and an Irish title to celebrate during a memorable 2012.
The sole motocross rider is Graeme Irwin who excelled in the MX2 series and also finished third in the Red Bull Pro National. Previous winner, former British Champion Adrian Coates, is the chairman of the judging panel and assisting the event’s organisers to oversee the public vote. He says the result will be the closest call in many years. He commented: “Our riders have been outstanding on World, British and Irish level, both on the short circuits, the roads, and off road. That’s what has made this year’s vote such an intriguing one. We are blessed to have so many top class riders in the country.”
In all more than a dozen other awards will be presented on the night, including the Black Horse short circuit rider of the Year, IFS International Road Racer, Charles Hurst Hall Fame, Red Bull Young Rider, Belleek Team of the Year, Greenlight Television Special Award, Alias Off Road Rider, Adelaide Outstanding Achievement, Duke Road Race Rankings, Adelaide Mondello Masters, Belfast Telegraph Race of the Year, and the IAM Safety Award. BBC’s Jackie Fullerton and Stephen Watson will once again host the black tie event, which is now a sell out.
Read on Right To Ride
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South African star Allann-Jon Venter will make his Mountain circuit debut at the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The exciting youngster, better known as AJ, will race for Mick Charnock’s TC Racing Honda/DP Coldplaning outfit. The team has secured high-spec 1000cc Hondas for their Mountain course campaign and will contest the Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock and Senior races.
24-year old Venter has been racing in the British Championship since 2007 when he joined Glen Richards in the MAP Embassy Superstock team, eventually finishing in 18th place overall with seven impressive points-scoring rides. A year later, he switched to the inaugural Superstock 600cc Championship, claiming a win at Oulton Park and three more podiums on his way to an excellent fourth place overall.
However, it’s the Supersport class where he’s achieved his greatest success. Riding Triumph machinery, Venter, who bases himself in Newcastle upon Tyne during the racing season, finished in 13th overall in 2009 with six top ten finishes, including a career best of fourth, before improving further in the following two seasons.
2010 and 2011 saw him finish in 11th place overall in the fiercely competitive 600cc class, with a combined total of fourteen top ten finishes, defeating the likes of Sam Lowes, Dan Linfoot, Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson, Dan Cooper and Jimmy Hill during the course of the year.
A lack of finance forced him to miss the 2012 British Championship season but he returned to his homeland where he competed with more success.
TC Racing Honda/DP Coldplaning team boss Mick Charnock has a strong pedigree of competing at the TT and Manx Grand Prix firstly as a rider and latterly running his own team, backing Cameron Donald, David Johnson and Jimmy Storrar, all as newcomers, in 2005, 2010 and 2012 respectively.
Venter is clearly looking forward to making his TT debut and commented:
"Lots of people are aware of the TT back home in South Africa and it's been on my radar for a while. I first came out to the Isle of Man in 2007 and met Milky Quayle and Johnny Barton, which gave me an idea of what I'd be taking on. I'm under no illusions about the task but I can't wait to make my Mountain Course debut."
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government, commented:
"AJ has an excellent pedigree and has already made his mark in the British Championship at a relatively young age. He's a hugely talented rider and as a newcomer there's no better team than Mick Charnock's outfit as he has a proven track record of helping talented newcomers get to grips with the TT."
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