The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development has reached an agreement with leading French based publisher Bigben Interactive to exclusively produce, under global licence, a new motorbike video game dedicated to the TT Races, titled ‘TT Isle Of Man – Ride on the Edge.’

The new TT Isle of Man video game is being developed by Kylotonn Games, a French racing games development studio already known for WRC 5, the 2015 official World Rally Championship video game, acclaimed by the gaming industry and Ping Award winner in the Best Console Game of the Year category.

Bigben Interactive and Kylotonn have already begun a programme to assess, record and digitally map the iconic 37¾ mile TT Mountain Course, which is run entirely on closed public roads. The TT Races is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading motorsport events and has run on the Isle of Man since 1907.

David Cretney MLC, the Department of Economic Development’s political representative for Tourism and Motorsport commented: “The partnership between Bigben Interactive and the Isle of Man Government represents an opportunity not only to generate additional commercial income but also to increase the profile of the TT Races and broaden the event’s appeal to a wider, younger demographic working alongside a world class partner in the gaming world.”

“For several years now, our team has worked together with Kylotonn’s developers to create and offer the best depictions of some of the most spectacular racing events like the Isle of Man TT races or the World Rally Championship.” says Benoît Clerc, Head of Software at Bigben Interactive. “By creating 1/1 the iconic 37¾ miles of the race, we already know that all the motorbike fans will feel the speed and the excitement of being part of the Isle of Man TT races,” concludes Benoît Clerc.

TT Isle Of Man – Ride on the Edge, which will be released in 2017, will feature many of the leading teams and riders who will be recreated digitally to accurately represent their team liveries and bike manufacturers. The game will be available for Playstation®4, Xbox One, and PC.

Big Ben Interactive representative Regis Fontenay with John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson on the Isle of Man at the launch of the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy

Subaru of America, Inc. is teaming up with Subaru Tecnica International (STI) and UK based motorsport and technology company Prodrive with the ambition of breaking its own TT Mountain Course record during this year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

Three-time British Rally Champion Mark Higgins, who has established the two previous TT Mountain Course records driving cars on behalf of Official TT Car Partner Subaru will again tackle the iconic 37¾ mile (60k) course.

Prodrive are well known for running Subaru's World Rally Championship programme from 1990 to 2008, so the partnership will give the effort a significant boost as they look to break the fastest lap time for the third time.

Prodrive has a long established history of giving UK-specification customer cars more power, along with creating a one-off, Subaru-based P2 sports car to showcase their engineering skills and close ties with the Japanese manufacturer.

Subaru will again have the chance to do practice runs before their record attempt, which will take place on a closed road on Friday 10th June during this year’s TT Races meeting.

Manxman Mark Higgins is confident that he can break his own record of 19 minutes and fifteen seconds, which he set in 2014, breaking his own previous best of 19:56.7, which he set in 2011. Mark’s original lap record time was over two minutes inside Tony Pond’s previous best time established 21 years earlier.

Commenting on the lap Mark Higgins said:

“It’s always a great honour to return to the Isle of Man and to have the privilege of driving on a closed road on the TT Course. We’ve already made great strides in demonstrating Subaru’s technical excellence and ability on the TT Course, which is one of the most demanding tracks for a number of different reasons, but in teaming up with Prodrive I believe that we can take things up a notch again.”

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

“Subaru are a valued partner for the Isle of Man TT Races and their financial support continues to allow us to invest in the growth and development of the races. It is always a pleasure to welcome Mark Higgins back to the Isle of Man and he is a great ambassador not only for Subaru but for the Island and the TT Races.”

that the 22-year-old has claimed the front slot of row 2, as he did the same both in Thailand and Spain.

Like all the other riders who were automatically seeded to Superpole 2 after yesterday’s two free practice sessions, Jacobsen had to quickly adapt to the dry conditions of the 4.542km track, which he had not encountered before during this weekend. Lap after lap, the American built up great speed aboard his Honda CBR600RR and, in his final attempt before the chequered flag, he logged a 1’40.165 that allowed him to retake that fourth place he had lost moments before. Pole position and second were in fact taken by the two riders who had to make their way through the first Superpole session.

The fourth race of the 2016 FIM Supersport World Championship is scheduled to commence tomorrow at 11:20 local time (GMT+2).

Born 16th April 1972 in Morecambe, John McGuinness, the 23 times TT race winner...

Honda has been unveiled as the new motorcycle partner for the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

The deal will see the manufacturer provide a fleet of CBR1000RR Fireblades to be used by the travelling marshals throughout qualifying and racing at the 2016 meeting.
Honda’s association with the Isle of Man TT Races can be traced back to 1954 when founder Soichiro Honda made his famous TT Races declaration ‘to participate in the TT races’ and to ‘pour in all of my energy and creative powers to win.’ The company made its first appearance in the 1959 TT Races, winning its first race in 1962.

Honda has the most race wins by a manufacturer with over 250 victories, the most recent of which was the closing race of the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races, the PokerStars Senior TT, when John McGuinness clinched his 23rd TT race win, breaking the outright lap record in the process.

Travelling Marshals were first used in the 1935 TT Races. The marshals are positioned around the 37¾ mile course and are able to provide a rapid response to any incidents. All of the bikes carry medical equipment that can assist in managing a casualty. They also carry out duties such as course inspection, observe machines on the course for visible faults and review and report any course incidents.

The Travelling Marshals have previous race experience of the Mountain Course, having competed in either the TT or the Manx Grand Prix. The current team has eight Manx Grand Prix wins and a TT podium between them and all of them are first aid trained to a high level and play a vital role in the Isle of Man TT races safety programme, which relies on fast responses.

Nick Campolucci, Head of Motorcycles at Honda commented:

“Honda’s Racing history is inextricably linked with the Isle of Man TT Races and we are delighted to extend and increase our partnership with the TT Races and the Isle of Man. Our success around one of the world’s most demanding circuits continues with the current generation Fireblade and it’s fitting that the bikes help the travelling marshals in their essential work, as well as taking a starring role in the racing.
David Cretney, Isle of Man Government representative for Tourism and Motorsport, commented:

“There is a great bond between Honda and the TT Races, the Isle of Man and its people. It is a great reflection on the current strength of the TT that a company as prestigious as Honda hascome on board as an official partner and its support is a vital part of delivering the TT experience and running the races.”