COMMERCIAL SUCCESS FOR CLASSIC TT

Research by the Isle of Man Government Treasury Economic Affairs Division shows that its revamped 2013 Festival of Motorcycling in late August — headlined by the new Classic TT and incorporating the Manx Grand Prix races and a pair of two-day trials events plus the VMCC Festival of Jurby — proved a resounding success.

Classic TT - very much a success

A comparative study set against a previous survey based on the same format, carried out at the 2009 Manx Grand Prix, highlighted a 50 per cent increase in visitors to 13,407 over the intervening four years. Ferry passengers were up by 37 per cent and the number of people flying in through Ronaldsway Airport for the festival grew by 172 per cent.

The report says visitors spent £8.4m during the 2013 festival, up from £4.9m in 2009, and this yielded more than £1m in tax revenue for the Isle of Man Government.

In the motorcycle / related trades? Register for FREE motorcycle industry news at www.britishdealernews.co.uk

BENNETTS TO SPONSOR CLASSIC TT

Leading motorcycle insurance broker Bennetts has agreed a multi-year deal to be title sponsor of the new Classic TT races run alongside the Manx Grand Prix in August.

Sponsor of the Classic TT

The event will be known as “The Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts” and promotes a recent enhancement of classic bike insurance cover by the company. The principal race will also be badged as the “Bennetts 500cc Classic TT”.

Bennetts began its association with the TT in 2007 as presenting sponsor of the centenary event. More recently it has been the official insurance partner, a role which included title sponsorship of the Lightweight TT in 2012 when leveraging support for BikerPetition.co.uk and in 2013 under the guise of BikeSocial.co.uk.

Bennetts marketing director Hannah Squirrell commented: “Bennetts has over 80 years of heritage and with our recent classic bike insurance developments we are delighted to extend our association with the Isle of Man. We believe that the event will have a great future and it has already generated significant interest and profile within the biking community.”

In the motorcycle / related trades? register for free motorcycle industry news at www.britishdealernews.co.uk

CLASSIC TT TO BE TELEVISED

A two-hour special programme covering this year’s inaugural Classic TT meeting on the Isle of Man will be broadcast by ITV4 on Wednesday 28 August from 9pm. Production will be courtesy of North One, also television contractor to the modern TT in June.

Classic TT to be on the telly-box

Dramatically raising the commercial potential and profile of the TT’s new retro version running alongside the Manx Grand Prix, this show will also be distributed globally to many of the international broadcasters already showing award-winning TT highlights packages, including Discovery Velocity in the USA and Network 10 in Australia.

North One TV chief executive Neil Duncanson said: “We'll be looking to really get under the skin of the event and capture the thrilling sights, sounds and action. We won’t just be looking at the racing but will be producing a number of features that cover all aspects of the festival. There’s a huge amount of content packed into a short period and with so many great racing names past and present, the challenge will be to fit everything into a two-hour show.”

Matt Smith, an ITV Sport presenter who currently hosts UEFA Cup Live and Champions League shows, will be the anchor. Former bike racers and experienced TV presenters Steve Parrish, James Whitham and Steve Plater will provide the commentary.

Laurence Skelly, the Manx politician responsible for tourism, added: “This is a great platform to profile both the inaugural Classic TT and the Isle of Man worldwide. It will also assist us in achieving our long-term commercial revenue objectives for the event and help to generate additional visitors to the Isle of Man.”

In the motorcycle / related trades? Register for FREE motorcycle industry news at www.britishdealernews.co.uk