Arai mark 25 years at the Isle of Man TT
Arai Helmets will mark 25 years of officially supporting the Isle of Man TT during this year’s event, which starts on May 30.
The iconic Japanese brand is synonymous with the TT, worn by legendary riders including Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Phillip McCallen, Carl Fogarty, David Jefferies and John McGuinness.
It’s not just the riders on the podium using Arai helmts, up to 80 per cent of competitors put their faith in the brand every year at the TT.
In 1983, Arai broke into the European market and the vision of its importer, Ferry Brouwer, was to do more than simply supplying helmets to racers - to offer a race service at every major motorcycle event.
Though common practice now, back in the early 1980s this level of support simply didn’t exist; Arai set the benchmark.
The first year of the Arai Race Support Service Team at the TT in 1984 was a far cry from the purpose-built unit and two support vans that will be manned by a staff of five at this year’s event. Armed with a load of visors and a bucket, Ferry looked after Joey Dunlop and Brian Reid from the boot of his car with an Arai flag atop.
Working out of the back of a car wasn’t best practice, let alone great for building the image of a helmet brand, so very soon a dedicated support vehicle was used. Within five years of Arai offering this free service, the number of riders choosing Arai dramatically increased.
Victories and compelling approval from prominent users and simply the performance of the product around the Mountain course couldn’t be ignored and by the late 1990s up to 80 per cent of all TT competitors were using Arai.
For Arai, the TT isn’t solely a brand awareness exercise. The races are also used to gather data and feedback on its products in order to aid development and create a better product for road riders as well as racers.
Over the years and across its ranges, especially the new, range-topping RX-7 GP, Arai can hold the TT responsible in helping development to determine vent sizing and position, visor aperture and even the general fit of a helmet.
Over the last 25 years for Arai and its UK arm, Phoenix Distribution, its involvement with the TT has always covered more than just the race service support team and sponsoring riders. The manufacturer’s passion for the races has also seen it financially invest heavily in order to make sure the event continues as it is, most recently with a three-year, big-money sponsorship deal that began in 2007.
Many of the milestones – in fact it used to be all – feature Arai branding and its famous elliptical logo can be found on banners not just along the Mountain course, but also at many points around the Island - and even the marshals all wear Arai clothing!
John Wakefield, managing director of Arai’s UK importer Phoenix Distribution (NW) Ltd, said:
‘We (Phoenix/Arai) are committed to the TT and will always try to be. We put in a massive investment every year and will continue to do so for 2009, despite the economic downturn.’
‘This event is the most demanding race course in the world and each lap the riders travel through so many different elements and conditions at speed that the TT is the ultimate test of our, or any, product.’
‘Long may it continue.’
Arai’s list of competitors hoping for TT victory in 2009 include Keith Amor, Bruce Anstey, Michael Dunlop, William Dunlop, Gary Johnson, Steve Plater and sidecar crews Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance and Nick Crowe/Mark Cox.
Find out more about the Arai Service Support Team