It is with great sadness that the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm the loss of Raul Torras Martinez following an incident on the final of lap of the first Supertwin Race of the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races.
Our heartfelt condolences go to Raul’s family, loved ones, and friends.
An incredibly popular member of the paddock family, Raul’s smile was infectious and his love for the TT and the sport of road racing was apparent to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him.
Raul was competing in his fifth TT and had posted his fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course earlier today, passing a racing landmark by lapping at an average speed of over 125mph and securing a 20th-place finish in the Superstock Race.
When asked what his ambitions in road racing were, he has said “to have fun with the bike, and to be able to fight for a top-20 finish at the TT in a 1000cc class”. On his journey to reaching and achieving his racing ambition, he became the fastest Spaniard ever to have raced around the TT Mountain Course.
Away from the TT, Raul was regular competitor at the North West 200 and had also competed at the Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix.
Racing was Raul’s life and the loss of such a passionate and spirited gentleman will be felt deeply by the entire TT community.
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/
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular of our posts in relation to the Isle of Man TT Races in order to bring you a basic 2023 Isle of Man TT Visitor’s Guide, to give you an idea and some knowledge of the course, the races and their preplanned times and some of the other racing events on the Island over the period of the TT Festival.
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/
TAS Racing have announced via a Facebook Post that they and Hutch have withdrawn from the 2023 TT following Hutchy’s recent health scare.
Hutchy recently posted on his Social Media the he had suffered a stroke.
MILWAUKEE BMW AND HUTCHY WITHDRAW FROM 2023 TT DUE TO HEALTH SCARE
OFFICIAL TAS Racing Team Statement : 29/03/2023 :
TAS Racing and Ian Hutchinson have been forced to make the tough decision to sit out this year’s Isle of Man TT Races with Milwaukee BMW. In light of Ian’s well documented health scare earlier this month, his racing licence has been revoked for 12 months, which is standard protocol with racing’s governing body.
2024 IOM TT Races Prize Fund Update : This post has been updated to reflect the 2024 Prize Fund and Regulations. Find the details for every lap of every race right here : https://tbni.blog/2024/06/01/2024-tt-races-prize-fund/
One of the most read posts annually since 2017 on this site is the Winners’ Payout Details (with over 78,000 unique hits at the time of writing) and since 2017 I have updated annually it with the latest information from the current Regulations Booklet. You can read the entire 2023 book here : (may not be available after 2023) :
But if you are just here to see the 2023 Isle of Man TT Prize Breakdown and how much the competitors stand to win in each class then please read on.
IMPORTANT : The are some major changes since 2022, for example the Senior TT now awards the race winner – at the end – as opposed to at the end and throughout each lap as per 2022 and previously. The prize for winning the Senior TT has also increased this year from £18,000 to £25,000. The other races have also seen increases in their placed prizes and overall prize pots.
If you would like to compare these changes with the prizes an prize pots from 2022 you can find those details here :
2023 Isle of Man Road Racing Insurance Rises 18% :
Dean Harrison at the Isle of Man TT Races
Following the news of that all Northern Irish Road Racing events have been cancelled due to unsustainable insurance costs the Isle of Man has now also revealed that it too has been affected by an insurance cost rise.
Although not the circa 300% rise that Northern Ireland has faced this year the Insurance to cover this year’s Manx road racing events has risen by 18%.
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston revealed the figure in Tynwald this week – confirming the 2023 policy will cost £930,000 – up from £790,000 last year.
He described rising costs as a ‘challenge’ for motorsport events but adds his department has a ‘clear strategy in place’ to grow and diversify the TT.
The cost covers the likes of the TT, pre-TT, MGP and Southern 100.
Irish events are also still in doubt as no cover has yet been obtained for any 2023 events.
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 most far-reaching set of changes in recent memory is set to come into effect at the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races with the introduction of an expanded race programme that promises to deliver real value for money for fans and competitors alike. The new festival format is also designed to create further opportunities for fans to visit the world’s most famous road race by alleviating the pressures on the Island’s infrastructure and better aligning travel and accommodation options.
Whilst TT fans always have an eye on travel options, the headline news is undoubtedly the expanded race programme, which sees the number of race days increase from four to six, and the number of races increase from eight to ten. The 2023 race programme is also set to increase from seven days to eight, with three sets of back-to-back race days split now by just two rest days. As well as injecting a large dose of extra energy into what is already a thrilling week, it is a schedule that guarantees more return, with the majority of fans getting to enjoy more TT racing when comparing the schedule to the current iteration.
THE TEN-RACE PROGRAMME :
2023’s ten-race programme sees the introduction of a second race for Superstocks and a second race for Supertwins, not only ensuring all five classes have parity with two races each, but delivering real value for money for teams and competitors who, of course, now gain more track time and a second chance of glory in those classes.
To accommodate the newly expanded race schedule, the TT will surprisingly start a day later than is usual, beginning on the Bank Holiday Monday (UK) and featuring not one, but two, separate qualifying sessions – one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The remaining qualifying sessions will then run as expected, utilising the evenings until competitors arrive at Friday’s lengthier afternoon session (introduced for 2022), which will remain part of the schedule moving forward.
It is when competitors reach the first weekend of racing that things start to look really different, with the incredibly popular middle weekend now boasting three races instead of just two. Starting with a tantalising double-header of Supersport and Sidecar, fans then only have to wait 24 hours before the first of the ‘six-lappers’, with the headline-grabbing Superbike TT moving to a Sunday in line with many global events.
Traditionally, Monday sees the first tranche of visitors heading home to work or family, so it is here that we now see the first of two rest days. However, for visiting fans going deeper into the week, there is only a short hiatus before the next set of back-to-back race days – this time stacked with four races.
Tuesday will host the first races for the Superstock and Supertwin classes, while there’s more Supersport action just 24 hours later – again scheduled alongside the Sidecars. With the two Sidecar races moving closer to each other on the calendar, superfans of that class will more easily be able to catch both races – while the teams and competitors in the sidecar paddock will also then be free to travel home.
Now deep into race week – and with renewed capacity – it is hoped and expected that the Island will better accommodate a greater number of fans for what is set to be a scintillating climax to the festival. That big finish is set in motion with a new-look end to race week – one that follows Thursday’s rest day.
With the Island’s popular TT bank holiday remaining in place, Friday will now play host to the Superstock and Supertwin machines, with teams and riders in those classes gaining a second race in 2023. But the big one – the Senior TT – moves to a Saturday, creating another set of back-to-back race-days and, for the first time, a second long-weekend for TT fans to choose or target.
It is with deep sense of sorrow that the Isle of Man TT Races can announce the loss of Roger and Bradley Stockton following an incident on the final lap of the second Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races.
Roger and Bradley were father and son, and driver and passenger respectively.
We extend our deepest sympathy to their families, loved ones and friends.
Aged 56, today marked Roger’s 20th race start in his 11th TT appearance. Bradley, aged 21, was competing in his second race at his first TT. Racing together, they recorded an impressive 8th-place finish in the first Sidecar Race of TT 2022, with a best lap at an average speed of 106.00mph.
Whilst it was Bradley’s first TT as a competitor, it was by no means his first experience of the TT, having grown up in the paddock and made his first visit as a one-year old. Aged 16, he decided that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and asked if he could race alongside him as his passenger. Once he had returned to the Isle of Man to begin studying the course, he said ‘he couldn’t wait to race in the TT‘.
Roger’s first TT was in 2000. He competed regularly until 2008 and returned in 2010, 2017, and for this year’s event. Speaking earlier in the year, he said: ‘I’ve retired a few times before, but always come back for my love of the sport. Going around the course with my own flesh and blood will be incredible.’
The loss of two members of our paddock and two people from the same family is truly heart-breaking, but the bond between a father and son who achieved their dream to compete together at the TT provides us with a glimmer of light at such a dark time.
STATEMENT ISSUED AT 18:30 ON 10 JUNE 2022 10th JUNE 2022 STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE ISLE OF MAN TT RACES
With a deep sense of sorrow, the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm that Roger Stockton, 56, and Bradley Stockton, 21, from Crewe, Cheshire were both killed in an incident on the second and final lap of the second Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. The incident occurred at Ago’s Leap, just under one mile into the lap.
Roger and Bradley were father and son, and driver and passenger respectively.
Roger was an experienced TT competitor, with today’s race marking his 20th TT race start. He competed at the TT regularly from 2000 to 2008, before then returning in 2010, 2017 and at this year’s event. In his career, he claimed a total of twelve top-20 finishes and four top-10 finishes, as well as 10 Bronze Replicas.
Bradley was a newcomer to the TT and finished his first TT race on Monday, securing an impressive 8th-place finish alongside his father.
2022 was their fifth season racing together, and Roger and Bradley were regular podium finishers and frontrunners in the British F2 Sidecar Cup Championship, finishing second in the championship in 2021.
The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Roger and Bradley’s families, loved ones, and friends.
It is with a heavy heart that the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm the loss of Davy Morgan following an incident on the final lap of the first Supersport Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Davy’s partner Trudy, his family, loved ones, and friends.
Davy was a stalwart of the TT paddock, with 2022 marking 20 years since he first competed in the Isle of Man TT Races. Today’s Supersport Race was his 80th TT race start.
His distinctive pink helmet was a regular and recognisable sight within road racing, having competed in hundreds of races across the Manx Grand Prix, Classic TT, Southern 100, North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, Macau Grand Prix, Oliver’s Mount, and Irish national races, with numerous podiums and race victories along the way.
Aged 52, Davy had contemplated walking away from the sport in recent years, but the COVID-enforced break had shown him what a life without racing would be like.
Speaking in 2020, he said, ‘being away from racing has given me the chance to reflect on what motorbike racing means to me, so I’ve no desire to retire from the sport for a while yet, and it’s been a big part of my life for 27 years now’.
‘I’ve had the opportunity to see what it would be like without motorbikes, and I’m glad I had that because if I’d decided that I was finished, I’d have been kicking myself!’
Davy was well-respected and highly-experienced competitor. As a result, his peers looked up to him, learned from him, and loved to race with him. He will be sorely missed.
STATEMENT ISSUED AT 20:30 ON 6 JUNE 2022 6th JUNE 2022 STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE ISLE OF MAN TT RACES
The original Press Release has been removed due to inaccuracies.
Rest in Peace César Chanal.
Prayers for a full and speedy recovery to Olivier Lavorel.
Isle of Man TT : Olivier Lavorel & César Chanal
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ISLE OF MAN TT RACES
On Saturday 4th June during the opening lap of the first Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races, an accident at Ago’s Leap involving outfit number 21 of César Chanal and Olivier Lavorel resulted in the death of one of the competitors.
The race was stopped with the deployment of full-course red flags, and medical personnel, a Travelling Marshal, and the emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
One of the competitors sustained injuries that would not support life and was sadly declared dead at the scene. The second competitor was unconscious with severe injuries.
The injured competitor was treated at the roadside before being transferred to Noble’s Hospital, and then airlifted to a specialist hospital in Liverpool to receive treatment.
An initial identification procedure was conducted using established procedures and would appear to have resulted in a mistaken identification.
We now believe it was César Chanal who died at the scene of the accident on Saturday 4th June. Olivier remains in a critical condition and continues to receive treatment.
Both competitors’ families have been informed.
A thorough review of the processes relating to the identification of competitors will take place in due course.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of both Olivier and César at this truly devastating time.
We ask that people do not speculate on social media.
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