Revised schedule for 2009 Isle of Man TT confirmed
The revised schedule for racing at the 2009 Isle of Man TT has been confirmed by the organisers.
Racing was due to get under way on Saturday, but the programme was postponed due to bad weather.
The opening event, the Dainese Superbike TT, will now start at 11am today (Monday), with the first Sure Sidecar race at 2pm.
The visit by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi was also postponed until today.
Clerk of the Course Eddie Nelson said:
‘We took the decision not to race on Sunday as the conditions would not have improved sufficiently from Saturday’s rain to run a Superbike race.’
‘The course still has significant moisture in many places and there are also high winds on the mountain and it would not be safe to race in those conditions.’
The Mountain section is due to close at 9.30am, with the rest of the course closed by 10am.
Racing legend Giacomo Agostini will start the Dainese Superbike race at 11am. The winner is to be garlanded by Rossi, who will join Ago for a lap of the course at approximately 1pm.
After the Sure Sidecar race, there will be practices for the Royal London 360 Superstock race and the Relentless Supersport 1 race, starting at 3.45pm.
Providing everything goes according to schedule, it is hoped to start re-opening the roads from St Ninian’s at approximately 4.30pm, with the course open by 5pm – except for the Mountain section between Ramsey Hairpin and the Creg-ny-Baa, which it is hoped will open by 6pm.
The racing originally scheduled for today is now scheduled to take place on Tuesday, with some changes.
The Mountain section of the course between Ramsey Hairpin and the Creg-ny-Baa will be closed at 11am with the rest of the course shutting at 11.30am.
The Relentless Supersport 1 race is due to begin at 12.15pm, with the Royal London 360 Superstock Race now scheduled to start at 6.30pm.
There will be a practice sessions for the sidecars at 2.45pm and at 3.45pm for TTXGP, the world first clean emissions motorcycle race, between the two races.
Subject to everything going according to schedule, it is hoped to start re-opening the roads from St Ninians at approximately 8pm with the course open by 8.30pm, with the exception of the Mountain section between Ramsey Hairpin and the Creg-ny-Baa, which should be open by 9.30pm.
As the road closure of the TT Course will extend into the evening, providing everything goes according to schedule, the Course Crossing Points will be open to vehicles to assist commuter traffic movements between 5pm and 6pm.
At this time, a special Access Corridor will also be opened in Kirk Michael from Douglas Road Corner for residents in roads up to Cannan Court (including the emergency access gate to Faaie Ny Cabbal).
This is a special measure only in place for Tuesday’s racing.
With the traffic measures already in place in Douglas, including the temporary traffic signals at Greensill’s Corner and Summerhill, and the co-operation of motorists, it is hoped to keep traffic moving in the busy evening peak period.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:
‘We are trying to minimise the disruption for road users during the TT and are also making decisions as early as possible to give people plenty of time to plan around the road closures. We are doing everything possible to reduce disruption.’
For up to date information in relation to road closures and crossing point opening and closing times ring (01624) 685888.