Just 24 hours after the confirmed cancellation of the Southern 100 the final events on the Manx Road Racing 2021 Calendar have also been cancelled – the 2021 Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT. Covid-19 has now ensured that it will be 2022 at the earliest before we see any racing back on the Isle of Man.
ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS CLASSIC TT AND MANX GRAND PRIX 2021 CANCELLED
Following extensive consultation with representatives from key operational groups, the Isle of Man Government has taken the decision to cancel this year’s Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix. The races were due to run from Sunday 22nd August to Friday 3rd September.
Laurence Skelly, Minister for the Department for Enterprise, Isle of Man Government confirmed the decision today, saying:
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
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 :
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/
The Manx Motor Cycle Club regrets to confirm that Chris Swallow, 37, from Wellington, New Zealand died today (24th August 2019) following an accident during the Classic TT Races on the Isle of Man. The incident occurred at Ballaugh Bridge during the Senior Classic TT Race.
Chris was an experienced competitor. He made his debut in the 2007 Manx Grand Prix and was a regular competitor in the Classic TT Races. He achieved two runner-up places in the 2012 Classic Manx Grand Prix – the 350cc and 500cc Races – and was fourth in last year’s Senior Classic TT Race.
The Manx Motor Cycle Club wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Chris’s family including his father Bill and his wife Jen and children.
Congratulations to Dean Harrison who took the win on the Classic TT Superbike Race, second place and the fastest lap going to Bruce Anstey and the podium was completed by third place Horst Saiger.
This week the lightweights have all been about Bruce Anstey and when the time came to shine – he didn’t disappoint. During the week he took the lap record and trashed it (unofficially) – today he took it again – officially.
With so many categories racing in the Manx GP and Classic TT events I have pulled this information from the ‘Regulations Supplement’ book for easy reference (and in case you were not aware.)
Now you will be able to easily identify a motorcycle, the class and the event it is racing in just by its racing number and the colour of its back plate.
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