After a wait of 110 years, the island will finally have its TT museum when the Isle of Man Motor Museum dedicates an area specifically to the event.

The display is to be a year-round one, displaying bikes provided by members of the public, as well as TT memorabilia and other artefacts.

In addition to the existing mezzanine levels, one wall of the building will be dedicated to a display of TT motorcycles housed in a bespoke, three-bike-high casing.

Museum owner Denis Cunningham said they had negotiated with the government for the right to use the TT name and be the official TT museum.

Darren Cunningham, who manages the museum, said everything should be complete in time for TT 2018, which will coincide with the museum’s third anniversary.

’We are increasing the number of bikes on display. Currently there are around 230 but that will rise to around 400 by next TT,’ he said.

’It will be year-round, not just a short-term exhibition.’

Already preparations are under way and the museum did successfully bid on a few items from the late Geoff Cannell’s sale held there at the weekend - though exactly what, was not divulged.

He said they also hoped to work with Manx National Heritage which holds archive material on the TT. There will also be a shift of emphasis from the current 60 per cent road bikes over to TT racing bikes. They hope to have a different theme for the TT museum each year, featuring perhaps an era, like the 60s or a particular manufacturer.

For this year, as the TT collection is being put together, the museum will be displaying Guy Martin’s wall of death bike and there will be a window display of 60s and 70s Japanese bikes. There will also be a display on the theme of local TT heroes.

Another idea for the TT museum is to have a replica of the TT starting arch with a bike that visitors can be photographed sitting on.

Last summer the museum amassed one of the most comprehensive displays ever of Joey Dunlop memorabilia, filling an entire room with trophies, leathers, helmets, bikes, news clippings and photographs.

Most of the bikes displayed at the museum are loan items and staff are currently scouting around for interesting TT motorcycles and any other artefacts that might enhance their TT display. Anyone with interesting items they would like to loan for display should make contact with the museum.