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Plan to close roads on Sundays for motorsport events
PLANS to close Manx roads for Sunday motorsport events have been unveiled.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said the idea was to hold additional two and four-wheel events to attract visitors to the Island for a weekend of racing.
He dismissed the suggestion that the measures were ultimately aimed at reducing the length of the TT or MGP or scrapping Mad Sunday.
But he said it could make the likelihood greater of live television coverage of the TT.
Currently, racing is not permitted on a Sunday except in very limited circumstances.
>> Vote on this issue at iomtoday.co.im/poll
A consultation paper has been produced outlining changes to the 1982 Road Races Act which will allow for scheduled motorsport events to be held on Sundays across the Island.
No road closures could take place before 12.30pm to ensure church-goers are not affected.
Inviting people to give their views on the proposed Road Races (Amendment) Bill, the DTL says that incorporating more comprehensive weekend activity into motorsport programmes would provide 'significant benefit'.
Mr Quayle insisted this was not aimed at any particular event.
'This is not particularly designed for the TT or MGP,' he said. 'It could be the Southern 100. It's not just confined to two wheel events, it could be four wheels.
'At the moment we are not able to hold events on Sunday. These changes will give us the flexibility to hold various events on a Sunday afternoon. It will allow for residents as well as visitors the chance to enjoy extra activities on the Island.
'This could be of potential economic benefit to the Island.'
>> Manx Grand Prix raises 5m for local economy
23 November 2009
He argued the move could attract visitors on short stay breaks to watch a weekend of motorsport.
He said 'far from reducing the TT' it could allow for the programme to include additional events.
Mr Quayle pointed out that the possibility of live TV coverage of the TT was being looked at and Sunday racing could fit into those plans.
Asked whether this raised a question over the future of Mad Sunday, Mr Quayle said that was 'not in our mindset when we looked at this'.
The minister said there were no plans to hold the Green TT – with low carbon emission bikes – on a Sunday next year even if the bill was given approval.
The consultation paper is available via www.gov.im/consultations.
Closing date for responses which much be made to the DTL via post or email in December 31.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
Get real Mr Quayle, closing roads on the Lord's day for more idiots to race around the Islands pot hole ridden country roads. Surely you have a better idea than that to increase tourism, you can't even get the current TT and MGP events right never mind further events ! It is a vote of no confidence for Mr Quayle and the rest of the DTL, time to find someone with some common sense!
ANON
We pray to a different god, we pray to the metal god, get it sorted bring motorsport back with a bang to the island
JAMES McALLISTER
Anon, if the "lords day" means so much lets have all the shops and pubs shut on a Sunday then
PEEJAY
Well said Mr McAllister, Time for one country at least to stop pandering to the outdated mode of society control that they call religion....sunday is the only day that people can find time to do leisure activities without forfeiting holiday entitlements from work. Good to see the tourism dept looking to new ideas. I'm fairly sure that this blasphemy won't bring plague, pestilance, or condemn Mr Quayle
to having his underpants infested by the fleas of a thousand camels.
J. CLEATOR
I simply don't understand why the profits form the TT etc. don't go to the government to sort out the VAT shortfall – it is a multi-million pound money spinner after all? This will bring even more money over here! But seriously more drudgery on roads and rain soaked tents filled with a dwindling band of middle aged bikers fuelled by alcohol and 70s
M.M.
After reading the article for extra motorsports on Sundays, I think this is a good idea in princple for the tourism on the island, the only problem would be if Steam Packet and Flights increase their fares which will incur issues with the locals. Residents on the island already have to pay increased fares to get off the island during TT week, MGP and Christmas.
MISS DEAN
Never mind amending the act to permit MORE events, lets amend it to permit LESS events or scrap it altogether – the road closing orders are a hangover from the days when we had a small population and relied heavily on ideas to promote the tourism industry because the vast majority of residents earned a living in some way from the 20 week season – why do you think the TT and MGP were timed to extend the beginning and end of the brief summer season (leaving Easter aside)? These days have long gone and road closures for any sporting event cause traffic havoc - SCRAP THE 1982 ROAD RACES ACT. Let's move with the times.
IAN
Good grief. They really don't have a clue, do they? They come up with a bright idea but seem to lack the basic mental functions required to think things through. When, for example, does he expect people who live on the TT course to do basic things like buy food? The roads are already closed for the entire time we aren't at work, with the exception of Sunday. In any case, the TT and Grand Prix cost the Island's economy 10 Million a year (and that figure was from a few years ago. I'm sure it's worse than that now). Surely, with the forthcoming shortfall in revenue, they should be the first things on the chopping board before we start looking at redundancies and cutting front-line services.
ANON
By all means close the roads on Mad Sunday as it will stop some of these idiots killing themselves and save money on the emergency services scraping them off the roads. But there's no reason to ruin other Sundays by closing roads for rubbish like this. You've got the TT and Grand Prix so surely that's enough. Get those two events making a profit first (that'll be the day lol)instead of draining money from our already deflated coffers. What a silly idea from a very silly man!
ANON
Sunday racing? What a ridiculous idea. We are already held captive for extended periods of time during the TT and Manx GP. So now we can't even enjoy our Sundays during those periods? Tell us Mr. Quayle, how much money is this going to cost the taxpayer? We still don't know how much money either the TT or GP cost us. And this in a time when the government is supposed to be short of money? I've got a better idea. As the TT is supposed to be the premier road racing event in the world, have the TT organisers put their money where their mouths are and make it a wholly self-supporting sporting event WITHOUT taxpayer contribution (meaning the race would also pay for government services). Just like any other professional sporting event in the world. The GP is supposedly acknowledged even by the government to be a loss maker, so scrap it all together. I doubt any of this will happen, as it will take some courage and thought amongst our government tourism experts, and undoubtedly a little work. But until campsite and beer tourism is expunged, don't expect high value-added tourism to flourish in the Isle of Man.
RE
There is nothing wrong with permitting racing to take place on a Sunday but I'm not sure exactly why it is required? The TT Superbike currently takes place on a Saturday and with currently no diversity at the TT in terms of machinery, this means the same riders would have to race 2 days on the bounce. It's definitely not something they would want scheduled. Maybe this is being aimed at four wheel motorsport? Mr Quayle and his team at the DTL need to leave the Southern 100 as it is. One of its greatest charms is its schedule, popular amongst competitors and fans. The Southern is highly regarded as one of the best events in the motorcycle racing calendar across the UK and Ireland. Whilst the TT has deteriorated in terms of the fans opinion of how good a 'festival' it really is today, the Southern 100 hasn't. If it's not broke, don't fix it. As a Manx taxpayer, I think I would like to see these events returning to the hands of the volunteers. The TT was successful for 95 years in such a format. Do we really need overpaid Civil Servants trying to come up with every idea possible (such as closing roads on Sundays) in order to try, and fail, to improve these events? If they were judged by their results, particularly those TT related (over budget and less atmosphere than a 5.30am bus), then it's time for other changes.
RACING FAN
What about developing more events out at Jurby. We have had SuperMoto once Drag Racing for cars and bikes once or twice, why cant they be a bit more helpful in organising events like this through out the year plus car racing. Then they don't have to close the roads, the church goers can go to church and the petrol heads are all in one place. Hang on I forgot about the lesser spotted warbler that nests in the grass there or some such nonsense.
CERI
This is a sensible thing to consider. The more flexibility the organisers have the better the event. We need to attract people over to the Island to spend money and help the economy. Those who object on religious grounds are out of touch with today's world. Those who live on the course, like myself, should look favourably at the wider implications of this proposal and look forward to more free racing entertainment on their doorstep!
BOB
Another appalling idea regarding local motorsport. The organisers are really making the Manx population hate it. Motorsport is making a financial loss for our government, so there should be fewer motorsport events and less road closures. Then maybe the locals will have less resentment towards the motorsport.
STEVE
This is a brilliant idea we don't need Mad Sunday it only causes more accidents than its worth. For those moaning about the roads being closed that is what happens on most sections of road anyway. Remember last year the mountain road was closed most of the day anyway due to all the accidents. Less accidents means less tax payers money wasted on paying the Police and D.O.T. workers to clean up after the accidents too. The whole bill needs to be brought into the twentieth century.
MIKE C
Surely after the issues with the paddock at this year's MGP the authorities should sort that out before considering more motorsport events, and as Ceri says Jurby should be improved and developed more. The Island should definitely be looking at boosting these events, which should hopefully bring in more revenue.
CWE
The majority of motorsport fans may not attend church, however, there are hundreds of people who do and believe that one day a week should be kept to consider a different deity to the 'Almighty Pound'. Believe it or not, many of the Island residents didn't move here to be close to the TT! And not all church services end before 12.30pm by the way. Are you trying to tell us 6 days of sport a week is not enough? If you want sport 7 days a week, switch on the TV. Church goers aren't asking sports fans to go to church, they are only asking that you respect their religious freedom and give them 1 day out of 7. Are you really trying to tell those who believe in God (whichever version it may be) that they should be marginalised because you happen to think it's hokum, or because your greed overwhelms everything else in your lives? I guess democracy really has died a death. And you're wrong BOB. Religion is perhaps more relevant today than ever. Besides the moral question Island residents put up with a lot of disruption already, can we not have one day during the week when we know we can freely travel the roads for which we stump up road tax each year to use? If you want to discuss money and greed, perhaps Mr Quayle could tell us if the revenue generated by these motorsport events will contribute to lowering the amount of road tax we pay - being as the roads used will suffer deterioration due to the racing events, for which I believe the Island residents shouldn't be liable for the cost of repair. More events mean more accidents and possibly more deaths. Aside for the tragic loss or life and/or limb, with the rescinding of the health agreement between the UK and the Island next year guess who will be paying for the A&E care when any of the racers/spectators ends up in Nobles. That's if any of them will be able to afford the travel insurance costs of coming in the first place - unless the Manx taxpayer is going to be forking out to cover that as well! Will there suddenly be an upsurge in the number of marshal volunteers? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a desperate search for enough marshals to cover the TT this year? Is that likely to change if the number of motorsport events increases?! Whilst I applaud Mr Quayle for thinking outside the box in these hard times, in my humble opinion, just because he may not go to church doesn't mean that that section of the population shouldn't be given consideration.
ELLEN VAN NIN
After reading the website comments in the Examiner regarding the motor sport road closures, I feel it is about time the Manx Government listened to the public, that is the people who elect the MHKs, that we are sick to death of the TT,MGP,Southern 100 and Manx International Rally. Why does the minority always have to affect the majority? Everyone I have spoken to has had enough of the road closures already, the inconvenience, noise and pollution. If the Government really listned to the tax payer then take note.... WE WANT A REFERENDUM Nationally to see if the Manx people want to keep or scrap the motor sports for good. Let us make the choice, it is our homeland.
DAVID
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