(10-12-2014, 07:02 PM)sticky Wrote: Sam, the problem with looking at Europe is that it would have to be during the normal season for obvious reasons.  Most of the likely top seeds will already be busy with BSB or other race commitments.  The road race calendar is already crowded with the Irish & IRRC events, so when could you fit another championship in?

If you think about motor sport generally there are a lot of championships trying to sell themselves the same way the DED are with this idea and they end up playing to tiny crowds and probably getting poor TV viewing figures.  The latest is the Formula E car series, which lo and behold, is taking place in the northern hemisphere off-season and is being held on newly devised street circuits.  The DED are very late to this particular party and with another year at least before the consultancy even ends they'll be later still.

Just seen this on Manx Radio:
http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=74196

They're talking about shutting the airport for a period over the weekend.  What message does that send to countries they want to do business with off the back of selling the TT brand?

As I've said before, I'm not intrinsically against this but I just can't see how it can work.  Convince me somebody?

Its a good point about the congested calendar and maybe the initial solution would be to have a limited series of say 4 races to get it off the ground? Most of the top men would be doing the TT and UGP anyway so perhaps two more rounds (including one new circuit) for the first few years and try to build from there?

I think that the Formula E races are something of a precedent in that they are bringing racing back into a public roads environment. So I see that as a positive (even if it does fail).

I know I'm biased but I think the TV is saturated with BSB/WSB/MotoGP and its all very similar. Which is why I think that there may be a market for something different like a Roads based championship.

I was thinking that there are some parallels with the three grand tours in the cycling world. Out of the blue some millionaire has put up a big cash prize for someone to win all three and all of a sudden people are talking about it. I reckon if the IOMG or some similar backer put enough of an incentive there then it'd get some momentum. Just needs the right deal to be done.

A lot of wishful thinking? Maybe - but of definitely reckon it's worth someone having a proper look at it.

As above - I'd love to know where they are looking at for a new circuit. Maybe Bathurst would be a go'er seen as it would be run out of season?

Cheers


Sam