The (extinct) Tourist Trophy for cars has no real connection with the motorcycle races, other than that someone realised that sauce for the goose could be sauce for the (2-wheeled) gander! The Trophy is now at the RAC in London. The course was not even the same, being a tad longer....

"How did the Isle of Man become the Birthplace of British Motorsport? For the answer, we have to turn back the clock to 1904 and some enterprising legislation on the part of Tynwald.

Following the success of Englishman Selwyn F. Edge in the Gordon Bennett section of the Paris-Vienna race, it was decided to hold elimination trials for the British entry in the 1904 'Gordon Bennett'. But then, as now, the UK government turned its back on the prospect of closing public highways for racing. Eyes turned instead to the Isle of Man where, at record speed, Tynwald passed the necessary law to close Manx roads in time for the trials.

The story had begun...and the following year heralded the first Tourist Trophy car race over four laps (52 miles each) of virtually the same course used for the 1904 trials."

Along with many others, I would love to know the details of this deal - how much? what happens to the cars afterwards? who will drive them? As this is public money, the public surely has the right to know?! What was wrong with the car provision being put out to tender, as Audi may well have then not been the succesful bidder. Another example of the organisers just suiting themselves, not acting as if they are accountable to the populace. Living in Spain, I am well used to sniffing out public rats, and there is a strong smell about this!