Spectacular entertainment programme promises to test stamina of Isle of Man TT fans!
Thursday 26 November 2009
TT
The Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure has announced an action-packed festival for the 2010 TT Races.
At the Carole Nash International Motorcycle Show in Birmingham on Thursday, it was revealed the programme will see seven nights of thrilling entertainment on Douglas seafront as well as the return of many old favourites around the rest of the Island.
Extreme sports, stunt shows, air displays, music, comedy and film will all feature in the action-packed calendar. Fans will also have numerous opportunities to meet and greet their heroes at the chat shows and fan zones during the festival. And if that wasn’t enough, TT2010 will also feature the 50th anniversary celebrations of leading Japanese manufacturer Suzuki's involvement in the TT Races.
The entertainment programme kicks off on Thursday 3rd June with the TT ‘Day of Champions’. Former motorcycling champions and TT legends will be interviewed on the main stage at the TT Grandstand. All the stars will also be on hand to meet fans, give racing tips and sign autographs. With even more stars appearing daily during race week, the TT Main Stage will be at the heart of the action.
Some of the UK’s leading stand-up comedians are also being lined up to appear on the Island during the TT festival. The Island has earned itself a reputation as a comedy hotbed in recent months with performances from the likes of Lee Evans, Alan Carr, Sean Lock, Ross Noble, Al Murray and Michael McIntyre and negotiations are currently at an advanced stage in confirming appearances in 2010.
Saturday 5th June sees the beginning of the seven-night ‘Extreme Sports’ extravaganza on Harris Promenade. The TT Entertainment Zone will feature seven individual shows featuring the best extreme sports acts, stunt shows and classic bikes. These shows are sure to be extremely popular but fans needn’t worry too much about missing any of the action as everything will be replayed on a huge video screen.
Thrill seekers will be able to experience an adrenaline rush of their own with a choice of bungee jumping, gyroscopes, simulators, slingshots and more. There will also be a dedicated children’s experience as part of the activities.
There are a large number of live music experiences scheduled throughout the Island during the fortnight and the official action will take place on Douglas Promenade. The TT Live stage will be situated high above the crowds on the Villa Marina Colonnade and will host an eclectic mix of bands every night. The Villa Marina Promenade Suite will turn into a TT Nightclub for the duration of the Festival with live music every night, cabaret and extended bar opening till 2am, whilst some of the UK’s leading headline music acts are being lined up to play the Villa Marina Royal Hall during Race Week. There will also be live music every evening at the ever-popular ‘Bushy’s Beer Tent’ featuring the best local talent.
The Villa Marina will also host the post race prize presentations on Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th June with fans getting the chance to mingle with the prize winners from the Superbike, Sidecar, Superstock and Supersport races.
Manx National Heritage will be hosting a temporary exhibition celebrating Suzuki’s 50th anniversary of competing in the TT at the Manx Museum in Douglas. Suzuki machines have been hugely prominent at the TT Races since 1960 and the exhibition promises to be a treat for anyone interested in motorcycle racing. It will feature historic machinery, leathers and memorabilia marking the highlights of Suzuki’s participation on the Isle of Man. Among the Suzuki names featured will be Mitsui Ito, Ernst Degner, Mick Grant, David Jefferies, Adrian Archibald and Bruce Anstey. The exhibition is the first in a number of events being planned by Suzuki during the 2010 TT to celebrate their anniversary.
The TT this year will also offer something for fans of Moto GP. Sunday 6th June is being earmarked as ‘Moto GP day’ at the TT Grandstand. Leading motorcycle industry personalities will host a live screening of all of the action from the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello as well as chat shows and race analysis in the Grandstand’s ‘fan-zone’
The Grandstand’s giant screen will also be replaying all the action from the TT fortnight. The Qualifying, Preview and Race highlights programmes will be shown every evening following the day’s action along with live timing data and Radio TT commentaries during the races.
There will be more big screen action at the Villa Marina throughout race week. The Broadway Cinema will be showing a full programme of bike themed films in celebration of all things ‘two wheels’. A particular highlight will be a rare screening of ‘Take it to the Limit’. Hosted by director Peter Starr, the film features classic 1970’s race action from riders such as Steve Baker, Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene. There is also footage of Mike Hailwood’s return to the Island as a travelling marshal for the 1977 Manx Grand Prix ahead of his 1978 TT return.
The action during the TT festival won’t just be confined to Douglas. Peel in the West of the Island will host a special TT Day on Sunday 6th June featuring attractions for all the family. Ramsey continues to host the ever-popular Ramsey Sprint on Tuesday 8th June, the drag sprint held on the Mooragh Promenade on the north side of the town. Open to everyone, the Sprint features a wide range of bikes and experiences for all the family. The Red Arrows are also planned to appear for a display during the day and will return during the evening over Douglas Bay performing during the ever popular Douglas Beach Race. Plans are also being finalised for a TT event to be held in the picturesque town of Port Erin in the South of the Island.
The action moves to Laxey on the east coast of the Island on Thursday 10th when local motorcycle club the Moddey Dhoo host their annual meeting on Laxey breakwater. The day will feature chat shows, auctions, custom motorbike displays and live music.
The entertainment schedule comes to a climatic end on Senior Race Day, Friday 11th June, with the final night of action on Douglas Promenade. Included in the programme will be the Senior TT Prize Presentation, a ‘Winner’s Parade’ featuring all the week’s race winners and their winning machines, the Battle of Britain air show and a huge fireworks display to mark the end of the festival.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle commented:
We’ve carried out a lot of research and put a huge effort into coming up with a festival that we think will have something for everyone. We’ve got lots going on all over the island, especially during race week itself and many of the attractions and events are free to attend. We want to make sure that visitors and Island residents are able to find many things to do throughout the TT this year.”