A break down of recent developments including information about recent signings to the road race, race timing partners, a tribute to Martin Finnegan, TT marshalls, and the 2009 rider line up.
Graham Chronographs signs up for Isle of Man TT Races as sponsorship portfolio continues to build
- Existing partners extend deals for races
The Isle of Man TT Races has signed Graham Chronographs as the official timing partner for the TT Races. The premium watch company is owned by Anglo-Swiss company ‘The British Masters SA’.
The long term deal is a first for the world famous races in which riders starting at ten second intervals compete against the clock on the 37¾ mile Mountain Circuit. The winners of each race and the riders with the fastest qualifying time in the solo and sidecar classes will receive a brand new Graham Chronograph.
Eric Loth, CEO – Graham Chronographs, commented:
"I am delighted that Graham Chronographs are now the official time keeper for the Isle of Man TT Race. As a motorcycle rider myself I have always been aware of the history and significance of this road race and its British heritage, making it a fantastic partnership for Graham.”
In signing the deal at the National Bike Show at the NEC today, Martyn Quayle, Minister of Tourism and Leisure of the Isle of Man Government said:
“It is highly appropriate that a sports event that relies so much on timing down to thousandths of a second should partner with Graham Chronographs, a prestigious brand whose watch design reflects the rugged nature and endurance of the TT.”
Graham Chronographs logo will appear on the closed circuit timing screens, trackside clocks and digital displays, on circuit signage and podium branding.
Many of the sponsors of the TT have also confirmed their continued involvement, either through multi-year deals or by renewing their existing sponsorships.
Manx based telecoms company Sure Mobile, the trading name for Cable & Wireless on the Isle of Man, was delighted with the success of the popular Sure Mobile Sidecar races in 2008. Sure operates as the official telecom supplier and provides race officials with the latest state-of-the-art technology such as mobile phone handsets and Blackberry devices.
Sure’s Commercial Director in the Isle of Man, Simon Last-Sutton, says it is a positive move forward:
“I, personally, am very excited about our involvement with the TT, both this year, and again in 2009. The TT is probably what the Isle of Man is best known for, and for us to be involved with the event for three years now shows just how committed we are to the Island, and to the people who live here. Having the support of the Manx Government and such fantastic ambassadors for the TT like Nick Crowe, really makes our commitment worthwhile.”
Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government, commented:
“I’m delighted that a local Isle of Man business is playing such an integral partner for the event. Sure has been a really good supporter of the TT with financial backing as well as equipment and expertise.”
Graham Watches is the seventh sponsor to commit to the TT Races since the beginning of the year and joins Relentless Energy, Arai Helmets, Yamaha, Maxxis Tyres and Scottish Life International, the Isle of Man based international life assurance company.
CEO of Scottish Life International David Kneeshaw said:
“The TT Races go from strength to strength and as a locally based business there are strong commercial benefits to us being associated with the event. We’re also keen to support local sport.”
Reflecting on the successful partnerships commencing this year, Martyn Quayle commented:
“This really is a new era for the TT and the quality of our commercial partnerships reflects the increasingly professional approach to the event. We are already starting to see the impact that the new television deal is giving the event as partners believe that the TT can help them to achieve their business objectives. “
All the deals have been negotiated by Windsor based agency Signature Sponsorship, who manage all of the commercial contracts for the TT and there are still opportunities for businesses to become involved with the TT Races. The money generated is invested back into the races and contributes towards the operating costs and in particular the investment in safety of running this historic event.
Trophy to be awarded to Fastest Irishman at Isle of Man TT Races in tribute to Martin Finnegan
-Bronze Arai helmet replica and prize fund awarded by Martin Finnegan Supporters Club
The Martin Finnegan Supporters Club has created an award to the fastest Irishman at the Isle of Man TT races, as a tribute to the legendary Irish racer. A solid bronze exact replica of Martin Finnegan’s Blue and White Arai RX7 helmet, weighing 3 stone, will be awarded annually at the Isle of Man TT Races from 2009. The trophy, together with a prize fund of €1000 Euros, has been designed and created by Dublin based Cooke and Co,
Martin will be remembered as one of the greatest riders to grace the legendary Mountain Circuit and his all-action style earned him a huge following of bike fans worldwide, as well as the nickname ‘Flying Finn’.
His single podium in the 2005 Senior TT Race, and a series of fourth place finishes, didn’t do justice to his ability and he was expected to challenge for honours at the 2008 races before his tragic death at the Tandragee Road Races. He is still the twelfth fastest man on the course from when he recorded an average lap of 127.010mph (17.49.39) in the Senior TT in 2005.
Shay Wherity, Chairman of the Martin Finnegan Supporters Club, said:
“We wanted to create a fitting legacy for one of the greatest and most popular road racers of all time. It was always Martin’s dream to win the TT and we hope that this trophy will encourage and reward future generations of Irish racing stars.”
Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure commented:
“This is a great tribute to one of the greatest riders to grace the Isle of Man TT races. Martin was a legend on the Island and had a huge number of fans. It’s a great way to pay tribute to him.”
Isle of Man TT Marshals Association goes from strength to strength
- Orange Army marches on with record numbers registered.
The Isle of Man TT Marshals Association has announced that following this year’s Manx Grand Prix they now have over 3,500 people registered on the marshal database, of which a third have attended the one day incident management course. There was actually one more marshal registered for the TT2008 races than there was for the Centenary!
Bill Carden, Chairman of the IOMTTMA felt that the real spirit of the marshals was shown in the way they responded to the challenge of the extra race day for the Manx Grand Prix.
Carden:
“We were really up against it with the postponed Senior Race at the Manx Grand Prix and the appeal that we put out saw an incredible response. We actually signed up 300 people in a single day to cover the Saturday requirement. At the final count we had 1545 marshals registered for the Manx and the Course Inspection car driver reported that he had never seen so much orange around the course before!”
During 2007/08 season, the IOMTTMA put over 500 people through Incident Management Courses. The 2009 calendar of courses has already been announced and the first 100 people have already gone through the training in Liverpool and the Isle of Man.
The one day courses (two per weekend), run from 9am to 5pm and provide general race procedure instruction, flag signals and practical TETRA radio instruction. The course also covers general first aid instruction including how to remove a crash helmet, applying a neck brace, how to log roll a casualty onto a scoop stretcher and how to load a casualty onto an AIRMED helicopter. The courses are free to anyone who has marshalled, or intends to marshal, at the TT or Manx Grand Prix.
For more details contact
training@iomttma.com or the TTMA Office 01624 618191 or the TTMA
web: iomttma.com
Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government commented:
“Marshals are the lifeblood of motorcycling on the Isle of Man and the TT and Manx Grand Prix couldn’t take place without the marshals. This year they have rallied superbly in difficult conditions and everyone who follows the races owes them a debt of gratitude.”
All star rider line up assembled for 2009 Isle of Man TT Races
- Major manufacturers commit to TT en mass
- Norton set for historic return with Michael Dunlop
- New riders, teams and manufacturers expressing interest in TT
Whilst the dust has only just settled on the 2008 road racing season, thoughts are already turning to next year, nowhere more so than the Isle of Man TT Races, which promise to better the superb show that was put on in June this year.
The majority of the leading manufacturers and riders have already finalised their plans with the mighty HM Plant Honda team leading the way. The Japanese giant will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of TT competition in 2009 with 14-times TT winner John McGuinness, and new TT sensation Steve Plater leading their attack.
Their biggest challenge is likely to come from the formidable Relentless Suzuki by TAS team who dominated the 2008 TT. They return with the Antipodean pairing of Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey. ‘Super Cam’ took a brace of victories in 2008 and is sure to be stronger another year on whilst Anstey continues to hold his place as one of the current TT masters.
Guy Martin should, arguably, have taken his first win in 2008, having comfortably led the opening Superbike race before a mechanical breakdown and he continues with the Hydrex Honda squad, with an increased involvement from Honda Racing. The Lincolnshire rider briefly flirted with a move to Yamaha but the place with the Rob McElnea Racing team is expected to be taken by Ian Hutchinson, another of the leading protagonists and, of course, already a TT winner.
Meanwhile, the Ian Lougher bandwagon continues to roll and the Welshman will be back to add to his tally of 8 TT wins. The Blackhorse Finance Yamaha rider has currently competed in 99 TT races and will break the magical 100-mark in 2009.
Kawasaki will have a strong representation with the welcome return of McAdoo Kawasaki Racing, the Northern Ireland team having signed Manxman Conor Cummins, so impressive at the recent Macau Grand Prix. Ryan Farquhar flew the Kawasaki flag in 2008 putting in five rides and the Dungannon ace is sure to be amongst the front-runners once more.
The 2009 TT will also mark the sensational return of one of the most iconic names in British motorcycling history – Norton. The new version of Brian Crighton’s 588cc special is set to make its TT debut next year and what better name to be on board than that of Dunlop or, to be precise, Michael Dunlop. The 21-year old was a revelation in 2008 and is sure to earn even more fans as he follows in the footsteps of his legendary father who piloted the JPS Norton in the early 1990’s. Meanwhile, elder brother William will be back on the Island in the colours of CD Racing.
Gary Johnson (Uel Duncan Racing) and Keith Amor (Wilson Craig Racing) were extremely impressive in 2008 in just their second year on the Mountain Course and will return with their respective teams to challenge for top honours whilst the evergreen Adrian Archibald silenced all his doubters this year with another Superbike podium and he will be well to the fore once more.
Leading privateers Carl Rennie, Dan Stewart, James McBride, Ian Pattinson, Ian Armstrong, Les Shand and Mark Parrett will be back in action whilst the emerging talents of Mats Nilsson, Olie Linsdell and James Hillier will all be stronger, wiser and more determined next year.
The recruitment of new talent has been one of the undoubted success stories in the re-invention of the TT with numerous recent newcomers going on to wins and rostrums and 2009 will be no exception.
Heading the list of expected debutants is recent winner of the Macau Grand Prix, and former British Champion, Stuart Easton and his debut will be one of the undoubted highlights of TT2009. Meanwhile, the organisers have also been in extensive talks with numerous other British Superbike competitors including Tom Grant, Dave Johnson and Steve Mercer who have all signalled their intentions to compete with further rider announcements expected soon.
It’s not just the UK either where the newcomers will come from. Portuguese rider Luis Carreira was sensational at the recent Macau Grand Prix, finishing 4th, and his participation will be eagerly anticipated as will that of German rider Rico Penzkofer, who also impressed at Macau. Italy will be represented with Mirko Giansanti, ten times a podium finisher in the 125cc Grand Prix, set to make his bow.
Meanwhile, organisers are currently in talks with several BSB teams who have yet to make their debut at the TT, as well as some of the emerging European manufacturers, with announcements expected in the near future.
As well as the five solo races held on the Mountain Course, the two-strokes will be out in force on the fast and bumpy Billown Circuit in the south of the island. Re-introduced in 2008, the 125cc and 250cc TT’s have been revamped for next year with each class being held over two 8-lap races and names like Lougher, Dunlop and Palmer will again fight out the wins. There has been significant rider interest in these races so far this year, and the entry for both events is likely to be swelled considerably in 2009.
On three wheels, the action in 2008 is still being talked about to this day after the wheel to wheel duel between Nick Crowe and Dave Molyneux had the crowd on their toes around the course and the Manx arch rivals will do it all again in 2009.
Crowe is part of the impressive HM Plant Honda team and will be keen to repay their support with another double whilst Molyneux, who will again be Suzuki-powered, will be looking to wrestle his crown back.
The duo can no longer expect to have it all their own way though. John Holden on the Relentless Suzuki is edging ever closer whilst the performance of Tim Reeves in 2008 will go down as one of the greatest ever drives by a TT newcomer; the triple World Champion can be guaranteed to be ever closer to the number one spot next June.
Former World Champion Klaus Klaffenböck was again well in contention, as were regulars Simon Neary, Phil Dongworth and Nigel Connole, and all four will be back on the entry, as will Dougie Wright , another major success of the recruitment drive. The big name newcomers in the sidecar class will be the Birchall brothers, Ben and Tom, who finished 3rd in the World Championship this season.
The 2009 TT also boasts a new, and intriguing event in the form of the TTXGP race, further confirming the status of the races as a pioneering and innovative meeting. Raced over one lap of the Mountain Course, the ‘Green TT’ will be the World’s first clean emission Grand Prix, providing an exciting opportunity for global innovators and engineers to showcase their talents, perhaps giving everyone an insight into the future of road racing.
Hon Martyn Quayle MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government commented:
“The ever increasing strength of the TT within the motorcycle industry is clear to see with all the major Japanese manufacturers committing to our event very early. With more new teams and manufacturers as well as exciting up and coming riders expressing an interest in our event, fans can look forward to an amazing two weeks of high speed racing on the most famous and challenging circuit of them all .”
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