The results of a public consultation have led the Department of Economic Development to withdraw plans to stage a daytime practice session during this year’s Isle of Man TT Races.

Organisers ACU Events Ltd (ACUE) had hoped the session could take place on either Thursday, May 29, or Friday, May 30, from 10.15am to 12.40pm.

But following a consultation process, a statement released by DED on Tuesday read: ‘Having received detailed feedback from parties including schools, religious organisations and local businesses, the Department and the ACU Events Ltd team have confirmed that they will operate the practice and qualifying sessions under the same structure as the 2013 TT Race meeting.’

This means the regular evening practice sessions will remain in place. Roads will close at 6pm and reopen around 9pm on Saturday, May 24, and then each night from Monday, May 26, through to Friday, May 30.

David Cretney MHK, member for Tourism and Motorsport, said:

‘It was really important that we sought and listened to the opinions of residents, businesses and other relevant groups before we implemented any changes to the qualifying schedule as we rely hugely on their goodwill to run the TT Races.

‘We are conscious of the need to keep disruption to the public and business to a minimum and remain very grateful for the support that we receive from the local community in running the races.’

Looking ahead to later in the year and the Festival of Motorcycling in August, it has been revealed that DED and ACUE will be launching a similar consultation process for the first Classic TT Race day on Saturday, August 23.

They are looking to assess the viability of an earlier road closure to accommodate two scheduled Classic TT races as well as qualifying sessions for both the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix races to be held later in the week.



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