The Isle of Man TT goes mobile
Wednesday 30 April 2008
TT
A set of limited edition commemorative TT SIM packs featuring TT heroes John McGuinness, Nick Crowe and the late Joey Dunlop OBE have gone on sale.
They’re the first limited edition products launched by Sure Mobile, and have been created to give fans the ultimate TT online experience.
The SIM packs were launched on Tuesday night at a star-studded party at the Sure store in Douglas in the Isle of Man.
Among the racing heroes present were Nick Crowe, Mark Cox, Steve Plater, Conor Cummins, Chris Palmer and triple World Sidecar Champion Tim Reeves.
Two-times World Enduro Champion and reigning US GNCC Champion David Knight also made an appearance fresh from victory in Nashville. The Isle of Man Government was also represented by officials from the Department of Tourism and Leisure, including political member Geoff Corkish, and the Department of Transport.
The SIM packs cost just £20, which includes £20 of credit and 100MB of free data usage on Sure’s high speed mobile internet portal, Sure Live!
Sure Live! is being updated for the TT to make race information available on mobile phones for the first time. Sure’s ‘TT mobile experience’ will include the very latest race news and results, a race calendar and timetable, rider race numbers and average speeds.
TT-themed ringtones and wallpapers will be available to download. Practical information will also be available on Sure Live!, including ferry and flight times, traffic flow and weather. Existing Sure customers on the Isle of Man will automatically get access to that information so that they can keep up to date with the Island’s most popular event 24-hours a day, wherever they are.
Each SIM pack also comes with a pocket-sized mobile guide in English, French and German, designed to cater for European visitors to the Isle of Man.
There will also be a commemorative post card of the SIM card image.
Sure has only produced 7,000 SIM packs, and hopes they will increase in value as a collector’s item.
Sure’s Commercial Director Simon Last-Sutton is delighted about the company’s involvement in TT2008.
He said:
‘We are grateful to Duke Marketing and the Isle of Man Government for their help in supplying content for Sure Live!. Sure’s TT experience will allow race fans using our network to experience the TT as it happens, and enhance their experience of the greatest road race on earth.’
‘We’re also delighted to be presenting our limited-edition commemorative SIM packs through the faces of some of the most iconic riders ever associated with the TT. Telecom phone cards used to be highly collectable, and I wonder whether or not these SIM packs will have the same status in years to come.’
In addition to launching the TT mobile experience, Sure has been confirmed as sponsor of the Sidecar races at TT 2008, is the Official Telecommunications partner of the Isle of Man TT and is providing vital mobile communication equipments, such as Blackberrys, to race officials.
Mr Last-Sutton added:
‘The TT is the biggest event in the Isle of Man, and to be sponsoring the Sidecar races shows our commitment to actively invest in the Island.’
The riders featured on the SIM packs are all record-holders at the Isle of Man TT.
Thirteen-time winner John McGuinness is the fastest man ever to lap the Mountain Course, having broken the 130mph barrier during the Senior Race last year.
Joey Dunlop OBE is arguably the greatest racer in the history of the TT, having won an unprecedented 26 races before his death in Estonia in 2000.
Local hero Nick Crowe remains the fastest Sidecar newcomer in the history of the TT, and is one of only four drivers to lap the Mountain Course in excess of 110mph.
Last year’s TT Centenary was the first year the 37-year-old, who is from Jurby, failed to make the podium since his race debut in 2002, after breaking down in both Sidecar Race A and B.
From the last four TTs, Nick has won three times and finished in second place five times.
Nick is teaming up with a new Sidecar passenger for 2008 – Kent-based Mark Cox. The 38-year-old is an experienced TT regular, and already the pair have been making waves on this season’s race circuit.
Nick says he’s delighted to be the face of one of Sure Mobile’s limited-edition commemorative SIM packs.
He said:
‘It’s nice to get some recognition of the achievements of both myself and my team, and to be associated with Sure Mobile and the 2008 TT races.’
‘It’s nice to see such a high profile company not only willing to get involved in the TT, but also to help teams and riders out financially.’
‘TT2007 was a bit of a disaster for us not finishing in either race, but the only consolation was walking away with the outright Sidecar lap record. I think this year we will be pushing for TT success once again. Let’s hope we will have a little luck on our side as well!’
The limited-edition commemorative TT SIM packs are available from the iomtt.com shop, Sure Mobile’s website, Sure’s store in Strand Street, Douglas or Sure’s retail unit at the TT Grandstand during the TT festival.