A company based in Luxembourg has won a government contract that’s designed to make the TT safer.

The Department for Enterprise has appointed NTT to provide data and live timing tracking services for course cars, travelling marshal bikes and competitors in the TT races, the Classic TT races and the Manx Grand Prix.

The company’s GPS-based tracking system will give real time data from any point around the circuit, which will be available to race fans via the official www.iomttraces.com website.

A spokesman for the Department for Enterprise said the cost of the contract is ’commercially sensitive’.

She said NTT would not be employing people in the island and added that the system is cloud based and will not require NTT to open an office here. If their support is needed it will be completed via the phone or online remotely.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said: ’By working with NTT Ltd and local firm SES, we have the ability to improve the general safety at the event by tracking all vehicles on the TT course in real time.

’This solution also has the potential to revolutionise how the TT races and our other events around the iconic TT mountain course are experienced by fans around the world.

’Viewers will soon be able to follow the race in real time and be kept up to date on all the exciting race developments as they happen.

’We are delighted to be entering into a key strategic partnership with such a prestigious international partner, who has worked closely with Isle of Man based SES to deliver the satellite based solution, and we believe that this activity can provide key insights for our own digital agency objectives.’ SES are a global company and have had an island presence since 2004. SES Satellite Leasing are based in Belgravia House in Circular Road, Douglas. SES are providing NTT with local knowledge of the telecoms systems in the island and ’’boots on the ground’’ to assist with the development of the GPS units for the competing machines.

The Luxembourg-based organisation NTT - which is the data and timing services provider for the Tour De France - has already carried out preliminary tracking system testing around the Mountain Course and says itis ’targeting’ delivery of the service for the 2021 TT Races.

The services provided by the company will include competitor race entry and registration, live tracking of all competitor machines as well as non-competitor vehicles including course cars, road sweepers, ambulances and travelling marshal bikes.

Andrew Coulsen, the chief executive officer of NTT Ltd, Europe, said: ’We have evolved our highly innovative technology to meet the geographical, logistical and physical challenges that come with providing data tracking for a mountain race.

’Our technology ability has been tested at both the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire and we now look forward to developing a close working partnership with the Isle of Man Government to protect

participants and spectators, as well as bring TT race supporters closer to the action.’

Deepak Mathur, executive vice president of global sales for SES Video, said, ’NTT Ltd and SES have a longstanding relationship when it comes to partnering on a variety of projects.

’For the TT races, we have the responsibility of broadcasting the footage around the world via our satellites and partnering with NTT Ltd means that we can provide a fully comprehensive solution that can make a real difference to how fans experience the TT Races. We are excited to help the Isle of Man Government to demonstrate cutting-edge digital technology on a global stage.’

The government spokesman said the GPS positioning on all racing machines will enable more timing options and will provide the race organisers with full visibility of all machines on course during a race or qualifying period. She added it will give race control and the clerk of the course ultimate visibility of the entire course situation, improving their ability to react to situations.