Tourism

TT LOCK-IN 2020: 8 DAYS OF EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL CONTENT

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TT LOCK-IN 2020 :

Press Release from : https://www.iomttraces.com/news/experiences/tt-lock-in

TT LOCK-IN 2020
TT LOCK-IN 2020

Whilst the bikes may not be racing down Bray Hill this year, TT fans can look forward to 8 evenings of exclusive TT themed entertainment from the past, present and future as part of ‘TT Lock-In’ fuelled by Monster Energy this June.

Streamed from Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th June, via the Official TT website iomttraces.com, Facebook page and YouTube channel, ‘TT Lock-In’ blends some of the greatest solo and sidecar moments from the track in the TT’s long illustrious history with live interviews, personal insights and revelations from the TT Races biggest stars.

Vlogger Chris Pritchard will be the host for the eight nights of TT content, and he will be joined by double TT Race winner Steve Plater for insightful interviews and indiscreet revelations with some of the riders that have created the headlines over the last twenty years.

The ‘Ultimate TT Races presented by Bennetts’ series turns the clock back on the greatest recent, and not so recent races.  ‘TT Lock-In’ will be revisiting classic footage from five great races including the 1992 Senior TT, featuring the head to head between Carl Fogarty and Steve Hislop and the race that many believe is its closest challenger for the ‘greatest race’ accolade  – the 2018 Senior TT.  

Other races featured in the Series include highlights from Joey Dunlop’s memorable 2000 Formula 1 win, the dramatic and controversial 1994 Junior TT Race and the 2nd Supersport Race from 2012 – the Australasian battle between Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey that produced one of the closest finishes in TT history.

Broadcast live via the TT Lock-In virtual studio, Chris and Steve will be joined by a ‘who’s-who’ of TT racing to provide their own unique views and personal insights to the series. Including the chance to submit their own questions and messages, fans will hear from John McGuinness, Dean Harrison, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Rob McElnea, Peter Hickman, Brian Reid and Cameron Donald as well as multi-sidecar TT race winners Ben Birchall and Dave Molyneux.  

Meanwhile, the world of Gaming will provide fans with their TT racing fix of another kind.  The ‘Virtual TT powered by Motul’ will see 8 TT heroes, including Peter Hickman, Conor Cummins and Davey Todd, getting to grips with a new challenge and tackling the familiar course from the comfort of their own homes.  Each of the TT Stars will team up with an experienced gamer and go head to head in a competition to be crowned ‘Virtual TT 2020 Champion’. 

There’s also an introduction to racing on the Mountain Course for real from TT rider liaison officer, and former TT Race winner, Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle who will provide his unique insight into how to prepare to race the TT Mountain Course.

In depth features and documentaries on teams and riders include a look back at the lap record breaking 2018 TT – ‘One-Three-Five:  Breaking the Barrier’, a tribute to one of the Greatest riders in TT history – ‘the David Jefferies Story’ and a celebration of the career of the 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness. The spotlight will also be turned on one of the TT’s most successful Race teams – ‘TAS:  TT Winning Formula’.

There will also be a digital version of the popular TT paddock attraction, the ‘Sundown Cinema’, with a screening of ‘3 Wheeling’ – the feature-length film that follows the high drama of the 2016 Sidecar TT Races while Arai take us behind the scenes with the renown Italian Helmet designer Aldo Drudi whose creations feature in the limited edition Official TT Helmet collection every year.

A complete schedule for the free ‘TT Lock-In’ can be found here, which you can watch via iomttraces.com and the TT Races Official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

TT LOCK-IN 2020 SCHEDULE :

TT LOCK-IN 2020 SCHEDULE :
TT LOCK-IN 2020 SCHEDULE :
TT LOCK-IN 2020
TT LOCK-IN 2020

MCUI(UC) Press Release – 26th May 2020

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MCUI(UC) Press Release – 26th May 2020 :

MCUI(UC) Press Release : Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre)
MCUI(UC) Press Release : Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre)

It appears the to and fro between Ireland’s motorcycle sports governing bodies continues.

On the 19th May 2020 the Cookstown Club announced that they hoped to hold their postponed Cookstown 100 event on 11th and 12th September 2020. This was met with a reasonably mixed reaction from the public. The two sides of the coin were :

a. This is a good thing, if conditions around the current coronavirus issues allow it, it will mean bikes racing in 2020 and will give people something to look forward to after what has been a very disrupted year due to the cover-19 pandemic.

b. This is a bad thing, it will put people at risk and add stress to the NHS. People have accepted that 2020 will have no racing so why try and push this through and risk the public’s health.

Then on 22nd May 2020 The Motorcycling Union of Ireland issued a statement. In which they stated that they were ‘alarmed and annoyed to read that some individual organising clubs within the MCUI (Ulster Centre) are still intending to promote events in this current climate.’ Motorcycle Ireland continued… ‘They do not have the authority or support of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland to promote these events in 2020.’

Obviously this caused further discontent and controversy over the planned 2020 Cookstown 100 event, with the supporters of points (a) and (b) above becoming more polarised. National newspapers ran with the story bringing the issues surrounding the event and the MCUI to the forefront of public view. Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph.

In the late evening of 26th May 2020 the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) responded with their press release as below.

Read moreMCUI(UC) Press Release – 26th May 2020

2020 Cookstown Races Cause Contention?

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2020 Cookstown 100 Provisional Dates
2020 Cookstown 100 Provisional Dates

2020 Cookstown Races Cause Contention?

UPDATE : 26/05/2020 : The MCUI(UC) have issued a statement – read it here.

So far the entire Irish, Northern Irish and Manx Road Racing Season has been completely cancelled, with one exception – the 2020 Cookstown 100.

The Cookstown Club have always said that their 2020 event was postponed, rather than cancelled, and have recently confirmed that they are looking at running the event on 11th and 12 September 2020, however have also stated that it will most likely be a restricted numbers and ticket only event.

This is where the contention arises. From my own reading most people have been positive about it – welcoming the thought of a 2020 event, citing it as something to look forward too after what has been a reasonably horrendous 2020, for many, so far.

Others feel differently, suggesting running the event could put the Health Service under undue stress and pressure and having a gathering of people, or even planning such a gathering with the global and local pandemic still at a very dangerous point is just not wise.

Personally I am still on the fence.

If (supported by science and health advice) the event can be run safely, adhering to any restrictions still imposed by law and more importantly incorporating good common sense and have full medical cover – then why not?

Read more2020 Cookstown Races Cause Contention?

Cookstown 2020 Race Update

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Cookstown 2020 Race Update :

2020 Cookstown 100 Provisional Dates
2020 Cookstown 100 Provisional Dates

The Cookstown Club have released a further statement in relation to the 2020 Event and at the moment it is still full steam ahead…

* Cookstown 2020 Race Update *

The directors of CDMCC held a meeting this evening in regards to the organisation and preparation for our event scheduled to be held on the 11th & 12th of September 2020.

After discussions with various organisations, it was agreed at the meeting that the club will be running the event with various restrictions in place for 2020.

Due to restrictions which will still be in effect at the timing of when event is due to be held.. One tough decision the club have had to make is to run the event as a closed event, with restricted Spectator numbers to accommodate social distancing regulations, allowing limited numbers in vantage points throughout the course.
Online pre booked wristband will be available in due coarse.

We as a club would prefer to have our event run as normal, but in these trying times, we have to take various decisions and make changes for this year at least, to try and bring some road racing for the riders and spectators in 2020 all be it in limited circumstances. But we will continue to work with various organisations and keep the public up to date with any decisions made. 

Riders will be aware their entry’s for April will carry forward to September date, and for anyone else who wishes to send their entry’s in, the closing date will be the 18th of July.

As a club we will remain committed to bring some racing in 2020,until we are told otherwise.

Any queries from riders please continue to contact race secretary or Kitty Harland.

CDMCC

Keep up with all the latest News on the Official Cookstown 100 Facebook Group, the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed and the Official Cookstown 100 website.  

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.

2020 North West 200 Cancelled

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2020 North West 200 Cancelled : 

2020 North West 200 Cancelled
2020 North West 200 Cancelled

Initially the organisers of the 2020 North West 200 had only postponed the event. However today it has unfortunately been confirmed via an early morning press release that the event has now been cancelled.

2020 FONACAB AND NICHOLL OILS NORTH WEST 200 CANCELLED.

On March 17, Coleraine and District Motor Club announced the 2020 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200, scheduled for May 10-16, would be postponed following the government’s introduction of restrictions to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Since March the organisers of the NW200 have been in consultation with all of the relevant agencies to explore the possibility of running the event at a later date during 2020. We have corresponded with officials from the N.I. Executive as well as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council plus all of the NW200’s stakeholders, considering every option available to us should there be a suitable window of opportunity.

Despite these efforts, it is now obvious the disruption and uncertainty the virus will continue to place on all of our lives and activities in the coming months will make it impossible to deliver the extensive planning required to run an event on the scale of the North West 200. That being the case, Coleraine and District Motor Club have taken the unfortunate but responsible and necessary decision to cancel the 2020 races. We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause for our competitors, volunteers and race fans.

A provisional date for the 2021 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils NW200 Race Week Festival has already been set for 9th to 15th May. We hope everyone stays safe and well so we can return to an even bigger and better North West 200 12 months from now. fonaCAB Nicholl Fuel Oils Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Causeway Coast & Glens Events #NW200 #Northwest200.

Keep up with all the latest NW200 News on the Official NW200 Website.

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.

New & Provisional 2020 Cookstown 100 Dates

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Provisional 2020 Cookstown 100 Dates :

Provisional 2020 Cookstown 100 Dates
Provisional 2020 Cookstown 100 Dates

UPDATE 20/05/2020 :

Further details have been released by the Cookstown Club : Read the Press Release Here.

Maybe, just maybe we may get to see bikes on the roads this year after all.

In attempt to quell rumours and paddock whispers the Cookstown Club have issued a Press Release confirming that they are pursuing the 11th & 12th September 2020 as Provisional Dates for their 2020 event.

Obviously there are huge ‘ifs and buts’ around any event at the moment, but the Statement from the Club shows their line of thought and the potential measures that could be put in place for the safe running of the event.

2020 Cookstown 100 Official Statement : Issued 05/05/2020 :

**UPDATE ON 2020 RACE**

After spending the morning reading utter rubbish posted online I think it’s time for an update from the ACTUAL organising people.

Our plans still remain the same to run on the 11th & 12th of September 2020.
We have sought our Road Closing Order and our Permit from Mcui UC on the above date.
The club continues behind the scenes to put in place, pre book and arrange everything that it takes and that is needed for our event to take place on the above date.
The club could have cancelled this year, but it continues to prepare for September to give riders and spectators something to look forward to in the midst of these hard times.

Although we will be taking advice and direction from various organisations and will have to abide by any legislation currently in place at the time of event, we are hopeful that with graduate eases of restrictions due to commence in ROI that NI Executive may also align with the these measures,and we will get to provide both riders a venue to get a spin out in 2020 and spectators a chance to see some racing from the guys who always put on a great show.

As no one knows exactly how this will all work or what the situation will be at the time of event. We as a club will do everything we can, right up to the last to try to make this happen in September.

A possible other option which is being looked at is, that if the event can be run with limited numbers directed by government, that the club will provide an online booking system, to which spectators will be able to pre book access to the event. This will only be an option and put in place if directed by relevant organisations.

I hope this clarifys to the public that we are continuing to push forward with the organising of the event and do everything in our power to bring the Cookstown 100 in 2020.

Regards
John

CDMCC chairman

Keep up with all the latest News on the Official Cookstown 100 Facebook Group, the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed and the Official Cookstown 100 website.  

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.

2020 Classic TT & 2020 Manx GP Cancelled

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2020 Classic TT & 2020 Manx GP Cancelled :

2020 Classic TT Cancelled
2020 Classic TT Cancelled

The final road racing events* of 2020 left to announce their status have both confirmed today that they are cancelled. (*Macau is still on the calendar)

The 2020 Classic TT and 2020 Manx GP have been cancelled.

There is now no confirmed racing on the Island of Ireland or the Isle of Man in 2020.

Cookstown and the North West 200 are still holding out a little hope to reschedule their events for later in the year but that is a hope I do not share. It is now extremely likely that the only racing that we will see this year will be Macau. If even Macau?

2020 Manx GP Cancelled
2020 Manx GP Cancelled

Press Release from the Classic TT and Manx GP :

The Isle of Man Government and the Manx Motor Cycle Club, the race organisers of the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix, have taken the joint decision to cancel this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts and Manx Grand Prix, which were due to take place between the 22nd August and the 4th September on the Isle of Man. 

The decision to cancel both events has been taken following consultation between the Department for Enterprise and race organisers, the Manx Motor Cycle Club, taking into account the emergency measures including current border controls and travel restrictions caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, announced the decision today, saying: ‘This is obviously a conclusion that we didn’t want to reach but unfortunately when all the factors and advice are considered we felt that it was important to make an early decision to provide clarity and certainty to race officials, fans and sponsors, as well as competitors themselves. Although we cannot predict at this stage exactly what the Island’s or the global position will be in four months’ time, there is sufficient uncertainty and therefore making an early decision is the only responsible thing to do.

‘We also want to reassure the Island’s residents that their health and wellbeing remains our number one priority and focus in this ongoing situation and furthermore it isn’t appropriate to potentially place additional demands onto our hard-working hospital and medical staff by running the events this year.’

Peter Maddocks, Manx Motor Cycle Club Chairman, commented: ‘We were asked, as race organisers, by the Government whether we were confident that the event could take place purely from a logistical and operational point of view this year. Although we were confident that we could provide the officials, the situation around other key personnel, such as marshals and medical personnel could not be guaranteed. Additionally, the availability of event critical contractors and whether the infrastructure and equipment could even reach the Isle of Man in time is also an area of great uncertainty

‘We also took into account the levels of pre-event practice the riders would have had to enable them to effectively take on the unique challenge that racing on the Mountain Course represents. All of these factors were considered and ultimately formed the basis of the decision that, from an operational point of view, the event had to be cancelled this year. Even though we are all in uncertain times the Club is looking forward to planning a return to the mountain course in 2021.’

Keep up with all the latest News both the Classic TT and Manx GP through the following links :

Classic TT :

Manx GP :

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.

2021 Southern 100 Dates : Provisional Dates Released

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2021 Southern 100 Dates
2021 Southern 100 Dates

2021 Southern 100 Dates :

It seems to me that the entire 2020 so far has been spent posting about events being cancelled – and to be fair the entire 2020 so far has been spent posting about events being cancelled!

So, without further ado here is some good news. The Provisional Dates for the 2021 Southern 100 events have been announced.

Southern 100 Racing are extremely grateful to our Title Sponsors Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Blackford Financial Services  and Silicone Engineering Racing who are carrying forward their 2020 support to next year, similarly our race sponsors have intimated that their much-valued sponsorship will be in place for 2021.

Southern100.com

The dates are as follows:

Read more2021 Southern 100 Dates : Provisional Dates Released

2020 Isle of Man TT Races : What We Should Be Looking Forward to Now & Next

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2020 Isle of Man TT Cancelled
2020 Isle of Man TT Cancelled
2020 Isle of Man TT Cancelled
2020 NW200 Cancelled

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. 

2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled

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2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled :

2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled
2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled

Armoy Road Races have now announced that their 2020 Road Races have been cancelled. This was the last Northern Irish event left on the calendar and given that all Irish Nationals have already declared that their events have been cancelled – we are now left with the fact that we will not see road racing on the island of Ireland in 2020.

I know that Cookstown and the North West 200 have hinted at dates towards the very end of summer to hold their events I think we need to be realistic and accept that there will be no road racing in 2020.

The Isle of Man still have the Classic TT and Manx GP on the calendar but honestly I wouldn’t be making too many plans. This ongoing coronavirus pandemic will continue to disrupt for the foreseeable future and I think we need to accept that 2021 is going to be our next opportunity to go racing.

One thing is for sure though, given how critical 2020 was shaping up to be for many events 2021 is really going to need the support of every spectator, fan, sponsor, team…

Press release from the Armoy Club :

Armoy Road Races – Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 24th & 25th July 2020

In view of current extension to the ‘stay at home’ restrictions relating to the Coronavirus public health crisis and the advice from the sport’s governing body, it is with great regret that the Directors and Chairman of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Limited have agreed that the Armoy Road Races and Bayview Hotel Race of Legends, due to take place on 24th & 25th July, will unfortunately be cancelled for 2020.

Throughout the course of the last few weeks, we had continued to plan for our race in the event that restrictions could be lifted or relaxed. However, in the light of the recent review by local government and the ongoing economic impact on everyone, we believe that cancelling our event until 2021, is in the best interest of all concerned.

We would like to extend our thanks to all our sponsors, not least our title sponsor the Bayview Hotel, for their commitment to Armoy again in 2020 and for their understanding of our decision to cancel this year’s event. We send them all our very best wishes in these difficult and uncertain times.

We apologise for any disruption this cancellation may cause to those of you who have made travel plans to come to Armoy but we do hope to see you all again in the near future.

On behalf of AMRRC:

Director Chairman – Malcolm Colgan
Club Chairman – Jean McPherson

Keep up with all the latest News on the AMRRC Official Facebook Page, the Armoy Road Races Twitter Feed and the Official AMRRC Web Page.

As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.

The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.