ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES NEW PROPOSALS FOR MANX GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL

FOLLOWING a four-month research and consultation process that included focus groups and on-line surveys, The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development has launched proposals for a revised Manx Grand Prix Festival, which could come into effect from 2013. The 2012 Manx Grand Prix Festival will remain unchanged as published.

The new Festival proposals are designed to capitalise on the growing popularity of motorcycling nostalgia and would leverage the strength of the TT brand that is owned by the Isle of Man Government.

A shortened 10-day event, which would climax on the August Bank Holiday weekend, is designed to capitalise on the short-break motorsports market, minimise commitment and cost from the competitors, officials and marshals' point of view and reduce disruption to individuals and businesses on the Isle of Man. It would also reduce event delivery costs that can be reinvested back into the Festival itself.

The 2013 Festival is proposed to run from the 17th of August to the 26th of August. The 'centrepiece' of the Festival would continue to focus on competitive racing around the world famous TT Mountain Course including three classic races and a further two races for modern machinery.

The Department hopes to create the most prestigious series of races for classic motorcycles in the world, featuring modern day TT stars along with existing classic racing specialists bringing the most exotic classic racing motorcycles in the world to the Isle of Man.

The event would also see a return for the Clubman's TT titles which would be applied to two races for amateur riders on modern machinery. Designed as a more focused feeding ground for the current TT, the Clubman's TT classes would incorporate a rider development structure with the opportunity for riders to receive sponsor funded TT scholarships and guaranteed entry into the TT.

The competitive racing programme would be supported by a festival of motorsport nostalgia including parade laps featuring legendary riders and machines from Mountain Course history, off road events including the Manx Classic Weekend Trial and exhibitions of exotic motorcycles and memorabilia. The event would also include the Isle of Man Vintage Motor Cycle Club activities including the popular 'Festival of Jurby' event that attracted over 15,000 visitors last year.

A revised Festival is expected to be more attractive to the motorsports media and be underpinned by a programme of commercial activity including international television coverage, sponsorship, brand licensing, digital activation and event ticketing. Further research will be undertaken to finalise a number of aspects in the detail of the revised festival, including the name and the Department recognises very clearly the need to work closely with its key partners in developing such a festival to ensure all detailed aspects of the proposals meet the needs of stakeholders.

Economic Development Minister, John Shimmin MHK, has welcomed the new proposals:
'In the current economic climate, we have a responsibility to maximize returns from the significant investment required to run events of this nature. Local businesses have clearly indicated the opportunities that the Manx Grand Prix provides and I look forward to maintaining the existing levels of dialogue with the Manx Motor Cycle Club in order to resolve any concerns that might exist with regard to the new proposals.'

Colin Kniveton, Chief Executive, Department of Economic Development, commented:'Our market research and consultations have been extensive and we are grateful to everyone who has contributed to that process. The findings from this consultative process have provided us with some very clear outcomes that we are keen to act on.

'The proposals are built very much on our consultations and market and media feedback and it is anticipated that a revised format to the Festival would give the Isle of Man real potential to increase visitor numbers, media profile and commercial incomes. Implementing these proposals would allow us to tap into the fast-growing nostalgia market that we have seen with events such as the Goodwood Revival and drive a tangible return on the ever increasing investment required to stage the event.'

ENDS

2013 Proposed Event Schedule

Saturday
Morning: - Classic Trial;
Afternoon: - Classic Trial; Evening:- Practice
Sunday
Morning: - Classic Trial;
Afternoon: - Classic Trial
Monday
Evening: - Practice
Tuesday
Evening: - Practice
Wednesday
Evening: - Practice
Thursday
Evening: - Practice
Friday
Afternoon: - Practice;
Evening: - Lightweight Clubman's TT
Saturday
Afternoon: - 350cc Classic Race;
Evening: - Clubman's Supersport TT
Sunday
Afternoon: - Festival of Jurby;
Evening: - Festival of Jurby
Monday
Afternoon: - 500cc Classic Race;
Evening: - Classic Superbike Race

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Change?The last Economic Affairs survey in 2009 indicated that less than 9,000 visitors attended the Manx Grand Prix Festival. The Department does not feel that the current level of investment can continue to be justified in the current economic climate. An event that makes a loss for the Government of £369,000 a year cannot be sustained when very difficult decisions about cuts in services are being made elsewhere.

2. How much will the changes cost?The costs of the proposed changes are estimated to be largely similar to the existing event. As increased revenues are identified, the Department may make bids to Treasury for additional funds to invest in the event, if the return on that investment could be justified.

3. Why not just reduce the costs?Whilst recognising that costs should be reduced wherever possible, the Department of Economic Development exists to maximise revenue coming into the island. The Department wishes to grow the event and maximise its contribution to the economy, not merely to reduce the financial exposure. It is doubtful whether the costs could be reduced by £369,000 in order for the Government to break even.

4. Why make the event shorter?The market research identified that events need to be shorter and feature more concentrated activity in order to maximise the short-break market. The evidence from the 2009 survey suggests that most spectators attend for less than seven days and we need to make the event more attractive for these visitors.

In addition the TT and MGP Festival cause a great deal of disruption to the public and business. Shortening the event will help minimise the disruption and make the event more supportable.

5. Why lead on nostalgia?The market research also indicated that the potential for growth lies in an event that concentrates on classic machines and nostalgia. A number of similar events have grown dramatically in the UK and Europe. The market research also shows a lack of interest from spectators and the media in amateur modern motorcycle racing. If the event is to grow, it has to change.

6. Why do you think celebrity riders would race?
Much depends on the meaning of the word "celebrity". Celebrity riders may agree to participate in parade laps. However it is believed that well-known professional riders would be willing to participate in a classic race event on the TT Course. Evidence exists of this in the existing Post-Classic Superbike Race and the Department's relationships with contemporary TT riders.

7. What are the benefits of the proposals?It is felt that the proposals have a number of benefits. Firstly they bring the potential for real growth in visitors. Secondly they will enable the Island to capitalise on the very successful TT brand. Thirdly, they will enable the Island to attract greater media coverage and to raise the profile of the island as a visitor destination and a business centre. Fourthly, they will enable the event to attract more sponsorship and commercial revenues. Fundamentally the event will offer a greater appeal and interest to a wider audience. The proposals will also enable the Department to condense the event into fewer days and thus reduce road closures with the resultant disruption to the public and local business.

8. Why would the media be more interested?The evidence gained from the research suggests that there would remain very little interest in reporting on an amateur event featuring modern machinery. The media have expressed a real interest in a classic and nostalgia festival, featuring classic racing on the TT course by professional riders. The Department has already attracted interest from TV companies in broadcasting coverage of such an event.

9. Why would sponsors be more interested?Commercial sponsorship is attracted to high-profile events that attract international media coverage. The Department believes the proposals will raise the profile of the event and attract this media attention.

10. Why not just advertise and promote it more?The marketing advice is that marketing only succeeds if the product is right first. Marketing cannot significantly improve sales of a product that has already been rejected by the majority of the potential customers. The advice is that the Department could spend significant additional funds marketing the MGP Festival without significant increases in visitors being achieved.

11. How much is spent promoting the TT and MGPF?The advertising and promotional spend in 2011 were:

TT £80,000
MGP £95,000

Marketing and promotional exposure can be either paid for or is free. The preference, of course is for promotional material that is free and this largely comes from features and reporting in the relevant industry publications and general press news reporting. This is where the TT enjoys a distinct advantage over the MGP Festival. There is a great deal of media interest in the TT resulting in a huge amount of free publicity which we simply could not afford to buy for the MGP. DED cannot force journalists to report the MGP races; they will only do so if they feel there is interest from their readership. Making the event more attractive to the media industry is a fundamental requirement to grow the event.

There are currently over 700 media representatives signing on to cover the TT races whilst that number is around 100 for the MGP races, the majority of which are IOM-based photographers.

12. Why consider changing the name?The name of an event is important. It allows the promoter to market the event, align it to existing successful brands and to maximise the commercial assets of the event by registering the name as a trademark, providing licensing opportunities.

The Islands single most recognisable feature and most successful brand name is the TT and it makes commercial sense to capitalise on this. The Manx Grand Prix name does not currently carry any commercial weight and, although the Department has registered the name" Manx Grand Prix Festival", this has not attracted commercial interest. The Department believes that a name of the event that capitalises on the success of the TT and is descriptive of the event itself, would suit our needs better. However, it is recognised that this issue is extremely sensitive and requires further research and consultation.

13. What could the name be changed to?There would be some commercial advantages in incorporating the TT brand within the new event title, however additional research is required before a title is finalised.

14. How will riders get to race in the TT?It is intended to continue with the very successful TT Rider Recruitment Programme which has attracted some high-profile riders to the event over recent years and introduced them to the course with appropriate coaching. In addition the proposals arising from the MGPF review introduce a more focussed route via the Clubman's TT.

15. What is the Clubman's TT?The Clubman's TT Races are races for modern machinery which would give selected riders a guaranteed entry into the following year's TT with commercial sponsorship deals with our sponsor partners, including a ride with a manufacturer supported team. We believe this will attract interest from spectators, the media and sponsors. These races will also provide an opportunity for existing competitors to continue to participate. There will be two races - the Supersport Clubman's TT Race for 600cc four cylinder machines and the Lightweight Clubman's TT Race for 650cc twin cylinder machines.

16. Why does DED have to take the lead with these changes?DED is the promoter of the existing event and provides the vast bulk of the funding that allows it to happen. DED also has the task of ensuring that any event that it invests in produces the best possible return on the investment and provides the maximum support to the visitor economy.

17. Do you want to end MMCC's involvement?The DED has been committed, throughout the review to working in partnership with the MMCC and has consulted with the Club at each key stage. The DED has considered the Club's counter-proposals and has now determined a way forward that meets the Department's objectives. DED remains committed to working with MMCC to deliver the new event and is hoping that they will participate in delivering it.

18. Why are the Festival elements important?Our research reveals the importance of the Festival elements of the event to visitors. The survey results displayed high scores for visiting for the general atmosphere with generally high scores for all Festival events indicating that, although racing remained important to visitors, the general holiday package was also a positive factor.

19. Why would more people come?The conclusions, drawn from the results of the review are that an event that has a classic and nostalgic emphasis, featuring classic races with some recognised riders, packaged with an appealing range of activities, would attract greater numbers of visitors. If this was supported by increased media interest and broader media exposure, including some television coverage, the event would become self-marketing. This in turn would serve to increase awareness of the event and increase the numbers attending.

20. Would the IOMTTMA support the event?The Department has consulted with the IOMTTMA and sought their opinion. The IOMTTMA believe that it is important to retain competitive racing within the event. The IOMTTMA recognise that the new event and race programme will reduce the commitment required to marshal the event and that local marshals who worked a conventional week would normally only have to take one day holiday from work to marshal the whole event. This will help to maintain marshal support.

DED will continue to consider the views of marshals and there is no evidence to support a view that marshals would not support the new event.

21. Why end on Monday rather than Friday?DED proposals utilise two consecutive weekends within the event and the bank holiday Monday as the final day of the event. This enables visitors to spend the maximum number of days at the event with the minimum amount of time off work. The Department feel that the bank holiday weekend has excellent potential to attract visitors and the programme is designed to fill every day with activity.

22. How do the proposals fit with the Department's strategy?The proposal's fit well with the Department of Economic Development's aims. In particular:

· Maximise the value of every opportunity

· Innovation and risk taking to ensure success for the future

· Service delivery for existing business

· Focus on outputs and deliverables

· Can do and collaborative attitude

In addition, the Department is seeking to rise to the challenge of partnering with industry. These proposals have the unanimous support of all the commercial stakeholders involved in the review process, including the Manx Hospitality Partnership, Steam Packet, Duke Marketing, MNH, Motorsport Merchandise and Mannin Media.

World Superbike: from the Cathedral to the Temple of Speed

Rome (Italy), 1 May 2012 – With Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) at the top of the points table, the eni FIM Superbike World Championship returns to Italy for the second of three events, this time at Monza, the fastest round of the calendar. The production-based racing series will be celebrating its 25th anniversary at the fourth of its 14 rounds, with a glittering array of riders and bikes present throughout the four days. The legends of then and now will be present on Saturday and Sunday in the SBK Paddock Show and for Italian fans it will be a unique opportunity to get close and personal with the men and machines who have contributed to the success of the championship over the past quarter-century.

Monza is the venue for a championship round for the 21st time: the first edition was held in 1990 and it saw a double win for Fabrizio Pirovano on a Yamaha. This will also be the 301^st World Superbike round, which will reach the 600-race mark next time out at Donington the following weekend.

2010 champion Biaggi is back at the top of the points once again despite struggling to get on the podium at a rain-disturbed Assen. Last year’s champion Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) lies just one point behind, but the top of the table is a tightly-fought affair with eight riders (Biaggi, Checa, Sykes, Guintoli, Melandri, Rea, Haslam and Laverty) on five different manufacturer machines separated by just 36 points. Each one of the remaining 22 races will assign 25 points for the winner.

Aprilia are present with their latest-spec engine that may help Biaggi to increase his points lead and improve on last year’s record top speed of 334.8 km/h and average lap speed of 204.405 km/h he set during Superpole. The Italian rider has started from pole in the last two Monza rounds and also scored a double win in 2010. Twelve months ago he finished second and eighth on what became Eugene Laverty’s incredible day of success for Yamaha. The 25 year-old Irishman, who is now his team-mate, is another Monza specialist, having also won the Supersport race the previous year.

Ducati have a great tradition at Monza (18 wins, 40 podiums), but their twin-cylinder bike has not won there since 2009. Checa’s best result is eighth place in 2008, when he was with Ten Kate Honda, while another competitive Ducati machine will be in the hands of Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert Liberty Racing), who is on a roll following his maiden win in the Netherlands. Honda World Superbike Team’s Jonathan Rea also broke the ice at Assen and will be aiming to continue his move up the points table after his first win of the year.

Monza’s long straights should help to boost the chances of the other four-cylinder machines present in this year’s championship, starting with Kawasaki. The phenomenon of the season so far, at least in the Tissot-Superpole challenge where he has a perfect 100% record, has been Britain’s Tom Sykes, and it will be interesting to see how well the ZX-10R goes this time around. At the time of press, no replacement has yet been slated in for the injured Joan Lascorz.

After twice throwing away a first win at Assen, BMW are extremely confident things will go well this time around; Marco Melandri scored two seconds in 2011 when racing for Yamaha, while Leon Haslam is always up amongst the front runners. BMW scored the first of its eight podiums here in 2010 and the time is right for a first historic triumph. In the Italian-run BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet squad, both Ayrton Badovini (who crashed at Assen while in the lead) and former Monza winner Michel Fabrizio will again be entrusted with the task of improving on their difficult start to the season. While over at Suzuki, Crescent FIXI men Leon Camier and John Hopkins also showed a true competitive nature following a disappointing opening couple of rounds.

Points (after 3 of 14 rounds): 1. Biaggi 92; 2. Checa 91; 3. Sykes 79; 4. Guintoli 66; 5. Melandri 66; 6. Rea 65; 7. Haslam 58; 8. Laverty 56; 9. Smrz 39; 10. Giugliano 37; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 136; 2. Aprilia 100; 3. BMW 86; 4. Kawasaki 85; 5. Honda 69; 6. Suzuki 20.          

World Supersport

The World Supersport battle for supremacy is looking to be pretty evenly-balanced as Kawasaki and Honda have taken the wins in the first three races. At the top of the table two former title holders are equal on 45 points: Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini) and Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step), but Sam Lowes (PTR Bogdanka Honda) is just 14 points behind, despite his crash at Assen, where the 22 year-old Brit started from pole. A Honda did manage to win in the wet at Assen, the Prorace version of Lorenzo Lanzi, but this exploit by the former WSB winner for the moment probably remains a one-off appearance. One of the title favourites Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products Honda) has yet to take a win this year, while Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) became the first Russian to score a world championship podium at Assen, moving into a very impressive fifth place in the overall championship standings. Raffaele De Rosa, who started off the season amidst the World Superbike ranks, makes a one-event debut for Lorini Honda.

Points (after 3 of 13 rounds): 1. Sofuoglu 45; 2. Foret 45; 3. Lowes 31; 4. Parkes 29; 5. Leonov 26; 6. Lanzi 25; 7. Quarmby 25; 8. Baldolini 24; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 70; 2. Honda 61; 3. Yamaha 31; 4. Triumph 30; 5. Suzuki 6.

Superstock 1000

BMW Motorrad Italia’s ultra-successful run continues in the Superstock 1000 category reserved for under-26s. In 2010 the Italian squad wiped the floor with Ayrton Badovini, and last year they had Lorenzo Zanetti in their ranks; both now race in the top class. Now it’s the turn of the 23 year-old Frenchman Sylvain Barrier, who prepared for Sunday’s race in the best possible way by notching up another win last Sunday in the Italian series on the same track. Barrier has 50 points after two wins in two races, and is followed on 32 by Eddi La Marra (Barni Racing Team Italia), with the Ducati 1199 Panigale that came very close to the win both at Imola and Assen.

Points (after 2 of 10 rounds): 1. Barrier 50; 2. La Marra 32; 3. Baz 30; 4. Savadori 28; 5. Reiterberger 26; 6. Coghlan 14; 7. Baroni 12; 8. Staring 11; etc. Manufacturers: 1. BMW 50; 2. Ducati 36; 3. Kawasaki 30; 4. Honda 10; 5. Aprilia 5.

Superstock 600

The weekend programme also sees the third round of the European Superstock 600 Championship for under-22 year-olds. By winning at his home track, Dutchman Michael van der Mark (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team Honda) took over at the top of the table, and he now leads from Spain’s Nacho Calero Perez (Team Trasimeno Yamaha) with Riccardo Russo (Team Italia Yamaha) in third. Monza is sure to offer more high-speed action as any number of riders, including the seven-strong Italian one-event and wild-card contingent aim to mix it with the best European Championship regulars.

Points (after 2 of 10 rounds): 1. Van Der Mark 41; 2. Calero Perez 40; 3. Russo 36; 4. Egea 24; 5. Duwelz 22; 6. Morrentino 13; etc.

KTM European Junior Cup

The second round at Monza will see appearances from two Italian wildcards. Giovanni De Pera is the lucky rider to be chosen for the Moto Vudu / Bikeracing.it competition which bases selection on the achievements and promise of a young local rider, while Kevin Chili is the son of World Superbike legend Pierfrancesco Chili and looks to have inherited his father's great talent. Both youngsters will be seeking to challenge the EJC regulars on Italian home turf, but it won’t be easy as Poles Adrian Pasek and Artur Wielebski are sure to be strong and there are any number of other riders with the speed to be challenging for the lead.

Points (after 1 of 8 rounds): 1. Pasek 25; 2. Hartog 20; 3. Wielebski 16; 4. Demoulin 13; 5. Patterson 11; 6. Lewis 10; etc.

FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

A SUCCESSFUL START TO THE SEASON FOR SIMON GACHET

Serious business got underway last weekend on the Ledenon circuit with the first challenge of the French F4 Championship. After some very good winter trials, which saw him constantly holding his own in the lead positions, Simon Gachet is one of the favourites.

He held his rank from the first practice where the "EUROFORMULA VOLANT" 2011 put himself forward when he made the second best time of the session. A performance he confirmed when he did it again with the second best time in the qualifiers: 0,010 seconds behind the first, raising high hopes for many victories!

From the start of race 1, Simon Gachet grabbed first place and kept it until the half mark of the race when he unfortunately span out. Back in fourth position, the "EUROFORMULA VOLANT" was determined to climb back but a small collision two laps later forced him to retire.

Avid fan of Fernando Alonso, Simon Gachet was not going to give up because he knows he has what it takes to climb onto the podium for race 2. That's exactly what he does crossing the line in second place of a race he had livened up throughout, just ahead of Victor SENDIN, the brilliant finalist of the "EUROFORMULA VOLANT" 2011.

The outcome of the weekend in Nimes was very positive overall even though his abandon in the first race left him with a few regrets.

Simon Gachet: "I am happy with my meeting as far as the level of performance is concerned but I am disappointed that I did a 360° in the first race when I was in the lead, I lost some big points. I got the situation back under control in race 2 and that's the most important part because I know now that I can fight for the championship and I will do all in my power to confirm that in the next race. I am really happy to be a part of the AUTOSPORT ACADEMY because I know I am going to learn a lot."

Laurent Fradon, the director of the EUROFORMULA School, is also satisfied: "Simon has always been in the front ranks and has shown his skill at speed. His slip up in the first race is one of those normal things but he livened up both races of this meeting and we are very happy with his performance. Simon also showed he has the mental strength, he has proven that he should be among the big favourites of the French F4 2012."

The date for the next challenge of the French F4 championship which will take place on the urban circuit of Pau is for the 12 and 13 May. Simon Gachet's aggressive style should allow him to get into the fight for first place!

Hayden, Rossi eight and ninth in Spanish Grand Prix

The weekend’s last rain shower fell less than an hour before the Spanish Grand Prix, leaving time for the water to evaporate enough to have the race declared dry, so the MotoGP riders started on slick tyres. Nicky Hayden, who started from the first row, was involved in a back-and-forth battle for third place with Crutchlow and Pedrosa. The American then steadily lost ground as grip decreased, eventually finishing eighth. Valentino Rossi, who started from the fifth row, steadily improved his pace as he climbed to eighth place.

 

Both riders will continue working on the setup of the GP12, starting this Friday when they again take to the track for free practice at the Portuguese Grand Prix in Estoril, and also during the post-race test on Monday.

 

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) 8th
“It was fun for a couple of laps. We know our bike is great at generating heat in the tyres, and for the first few laps, I was able do what I wanted. Then about the time it looked like the other guys’ tyres came up to temperature, mine had already started losing grip, especially in the front. I was pushing wide in places and guys started coming past me. We knew it would be tough in the dry. My setup was okay, but to really try to go with those guys wasn’t possible. I was able to close back down on Bradl at the end and have a bit of a race the last couple of laps, but he beat me. Eighth place is certainly not what our goal is. The bike’s got a lot of potential, but at the moment, the gap to the rest is still too far. Hopefully we can get a dry weekend in Estoril and try to be closer to the front on Sunday.”

 

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) 9th
“The positive thing from today’s race is that I think it might help us to do a bit better in the coming events, starting next week in Portugal. Today we used a setup that’s new for us, and it gave some positive signs. First we tried some solutions to give me a feeling similar to what I’ve had in the past, but it doesn’t work. Today’s setting was very similar to what Nicky has used for a while, though not exactly the same. I must get used to riding the bike a bit differently than I’m used to, and today that caused me to lose some ground in the early laps because I was basically starting blind. I wasn’t going bad once I found my rhythm, in the sense that I was matching the times of those who were fighting for sixth place, and I was able to push until the end, doing a 1:41.0 on the penultimate lap. This helps me to be a little more optimistic as I look ahead to the next races because if I’m able to ride a bit better, it could be a place for us to start from. In fact, we’ll use this setting when we start on Friday. Naturally, we’ll have to keep working, be more effective in qualifying so that we can start further forward, and improve acceleration and a number of other things, which we’ve already discussed at Ducati as we try, together, to improve the GP12.”

 

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)
“Today we wanted to see both Nicky and Vale finish the race closer to the front, but overall, there are several positive things to take from this weekend as we continue our work and our development path for the GP12. We received confirmation that we’re very fast in the wet, and in the dry, we had a good qualifying session with Nicky, who made the first row. Nicky was very competitive in the early laps of the race, and now we must also improve over race distance with him. Vale found qualifying difficult, but in the race, using a setting that he’d never tried, he felt okay and was steadily gaining confidence and going faster. These are signs that show us the direction to follow starting with the next round in a few days in Portugal.”

 

Arai announces World Bike Stars for 2012 Isle of Man TT Races Parade Lap

Arai Helmet, The Official Helmet Partner of the 2012 Isle of Man TT Races, has announced a line up of six of the world’s leading motorcycle racers past and present who will be taking part in a Parade Lap of the Mountain Course on Wednesday 6th June.

Topping the bill will be 1993 World 500cc Champion Kevin Schwantz. The American won a total of 25 races between 1988 and 1994 and stood on the podium in the world championships a further 26 times. He will be riding a Suzuki GSXR-1000.

Also appearing in the lap will be fellow American Randy Mamola on the Ducati Panigali. Mamola is widely considered to be one of the most talented riders never to have won a world championship. In a thirteen-year career, the Californian won a total of thirteen Grand Prix Races, and recorded a further 44 podiums. He finished second in the World championship four times in 1980, 1981, 1984 and 1987.

One man who needs no introduction to the Mountain Course is Phillip McCallen. The popular Northern Ireland rider, who will be riding a Honda RC45, stands 5th on the overall list of TT winners with 11 victories including his memorable four in a week in 1996. Former British and World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, who now lives on the Island, will also be familiar with the circuit. The Lancastrian, who won the British Championship in 2000 and the World Superbike title in 2003, will take part in the lap on a Ducati Panigale.

Monster Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow, who has already made his mark with a fourth placed finish at the opening MotoGP race of the season at Qatar, will be representing the current riders. The Coventry born rider is a former World Superbike star and finished as the top rookie in 12th place in his debut MotoGP season last year.

Swan Yamaha rider Ian Hutchinson will also be representing Arai on the lap. The eight time TT winner, who hasn’t appeared in a competitive race on the Mountain Course since his record breaking five victories at the 2010 meeting, will be making a welcome return to racing on the Isle of Man. The Bingley rider will be appearing ahead of the Monster Energy Supersport race that takes place later on the same day.

Olaf Van Schijndel Arai commented:

“Arai is delighted to be able to offer our riders past and present the chance to appear on a parade lap around the Mountain Course and we hope that the fans enjoy the sight of these Motorcycling legends appearing on the track.”

Kevin Schwantz is clearly looking forward to his lap and commented:

“The Isle of Man is rightly considered a mecca for Motorcycle Racing and when I was offered the opportunity to experience a closed road parade lap I jumped at the chance. The top TT racers are respected around the world and I’m really looking forward to experiencing the famous Mountain Course first hand.”

Randy Mamola will be making his first trip to the TT Races and commented:

“I have a long connection with Arai and it will be a real honour to represent them in a parade lap around this iconic race circuit. I’ve met many TT racers over the course of my career and I’m pleased to get the chance to see the races live.”