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Department of Tourism and Leisure confirm 2009 TT Programme
Issued 18th September 2008
 Entertainment programme set for an overhaul
Meetings held with Honda to discuss 50th anniversary celebrations
Billown TT Race re-vamped for 09
World’s first clean emissions Grand Prix set for Senior Race Day
After what was described by MCN as the ‘best TT ever’ and comparisons being made with the epic Senior Race between Steve Hislop and Carl Fogarty in 1992, the Department of Tourism and Leisure has confirmed that the 2009 TT Programme will run to the same format as in 2008.
Fans at the 2008 TT were treated to some of the closest racing in history culminating in the sensational Dainese Senior TT where the lead swapped eight times between Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald and eventual race winner John McGuinness.
Meanwhile, Sidecar aficionados are still talking about the wheel to wheel dual between three wheel legends Dave Molyneux and Nick Crowe.
The Billown circuit in the South of the Island will host a revamped day for two stroke TT racing, with two, two leg 125cc Ultra Lightweight and 250cc Lightweight races over 8 laps.
The rider with the best aggregate points score over the 16 laps of the two legs will be declared the winner of each class. The organisers will look to build on last year’s inaugural event with a more competitive field and concentrated rider recruitment for those races has already begun.
The rider recruitment programme continues to go from strength to strength with recent newcomers Cameron Donald and Steve Plater both registering maiden wins and sidecar driver Tim Reeves scoring the first podium for a newcomer since Jock Taylor in 1978.
The solos also saw an incredible nine different individuals standing on the podium out of a possible fifteen places. Gary Johnson, a newcomer in 2007, will be looking to improve on his sensational performances at the TT including a standout fourth place in the Superbike race.
Recruitment has already started for the 2009 TT and Rider Liaison Officers Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle and John Barton have been visiting a number of events in the UK, Ireland and Europe.
The team is also watching international events closely for new talent and new teams from around the world are already expressing an interest in taking part with swelled grids of quality riders expected for TT 2009.
Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, commented: “The 2008 TT races demonstrated the success of the rider recruitment programme with some of the closest races ever seen on the Mountain Circuit. 2009 will be more of the same but we are already in negotiation with an exciting list of riders keen to test themselves on the course and there will also be some new team announcements and hopefully some new manufacturers joining the event, which can only improve the line up. We are also looking to attract a larger grid for 2009 although we won’t compromise on the quality of rider taking part.”
Double TT winner in 2008 Cameron Donald commented: ”The 2008 TT was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I’m already looking forward to adding to my wins. Roll on 2009!”
The entertainment programme is also set for a complete overhaul in time for the 2009 TT.
The existing activities will be reviewed and a new programme put in place
Martyn Quayle commented: “I believe we need to improve the entertainment experience for fans in 2009. We’ve focused our attention and concentrated our resources up to now on the racing side of the TT but we’re now ready to look at massively improving the fans experience. We are currently in talks with a view to announcing a programme shortly which will include music, events and experiences. We also want to improve facilities for spectators during the races and are looking into ways that we can create better viewing spots for fans.”
“The 2009 TT also marks the 50th anniversary of Honda Racing’s debut on the Isle of Man and we are in talks with Honda, and all of the other major manufacturers, about creating a number of events and activities Island wide. The Parade Lap in 2009 will be focused on celebrating Honda’s anniversary and will reflect the heritage and success of the company at the TT.”
The 2009 TT also sees a world first scheduled for the Isle of Man with the ground-breaking clean emissions Grand Prix race run by TTXGP.
The race will showcase a diverse range of vehicles and racing teams all eager to prove their credentials in the brave new world of clean emission transportation.
- Ends -
Notes to editors:
TT Races Schedule
Free practice will be on Saturday 30th May 2009. Qualifying runs from Monday 1st June to Friday 5th June 2009.
The race calendar is as follows:
Saturday 6th June 2009: Superbike TT Race - Sure Mobile Sidecar TT Race 1
Monday 8th 2009: Scottish Life International Superstock TT Race - Relentless Supersport Junior TT Race 1
Wednesday 10th June 2009: Relentless Supersport Junior TT Race 2 - Sure Mobile Sidecar TT Race 2
Friday 12th June 2009: Senior TT Race
Saturday 13th June 2009: Lightweight TT Race - Ultra Lightweight TT Race
www.iomtt.com
TTXGP Schedule
Practices will take place on Monday 8th June and Wednesday 10th June.
Friday 12th June 2009: TTXGP
www.ttxgp.com
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