Action-packed entertainment schedule for 2012 Isle of Man TT
Monster Energy will deliver mayhem at the 2012 Isle of Man TT with the return of its popular stunt shows, live music and video screens replaying the race action to Douglas promenade.
This year’s show is just part of a variety of events and activities taking place Island-wide throughout the TT fortnight.
The seven-night show, which begins on June 2 and runs until June 8, will feature many of the world’s leading stunt riders, including Monster athlete and French stunt bike sensation Jorian Ponomareff and Sweden’s Hampus Fardby, who will be performing technical and hair raising trials displays.
A finale from French FMX team Blackliner tops the night, before the ramps are cleared for some Supermoto mayhem and moped racers tearing onto the promenade and promising more action, more noise and more burning rubber.
The week-long action culminates in an appearance from world-leading Monster Energy FMX riders Andre Villa and Remi Bizouard on June 7 and 8, while there are appearances planned for perennial favourites the Purple Helmets.
Every evening will feature interviews with leading riders and giveaways, supported by the ever-popular Monster Girls. All the action, which runs from 7pm until 10.30pm each night, is free.
Film fans will again get the chance to see the stunning TT3D: Closer to the Edge film with daily screenings at the Isle of Man’s Broadway cinema, while Joey Dunlop fans can re-live his successes at the Manx Museum’s screening of his TT victories.
There are a series of exhibitions planned around the Island throughout the TT fortnight. The Manx Museum is currently running an exhibition that charts not only the TT races and Manx Grand Prix Festival, but also features World Enduro legend David Knight and up and coming stars Danny and Jamie McCanney and Alex Rockwell. Manx National Heritage’s ‘Mountain Milestones’ exhibition, which celebrates the 100-year history of the Mountain course, will also be open at the House of Manannan in Peel throughout the fortnight.
Photography fans can select from the Getty Images exhibition in Castletown Civic Centre, a Manx motorsport exhibition at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey and the Sulby Glen’s annual Manx motorsport exhibition, featuring images from the TT, MGP and Southern 100.
This year also sees the third ‘Roads Closed’ exhibition at St Ninian’s Church in Douglas, hosted by members of www.roadracingsupporters.com, in aid of motorsport-related charities.
The Villa Marina plays host to a wide range of acts including an appearance by piano playing former Superbike World Champion James Toseland. The evening will also feature a question and answer session with James and special guests. Other music acts lined up include the ever-popular Quill and Pink Floyd tribute band Pigs on the Wing, while Geddy Up (Rush) and Ed Force One (Iron Maiden) will also be paying tribute to their favourite bands.
American comedian Rich Hall, winner of the Perrier Award in 2000 as well as a double Emmy winner, will be bringing his unique brand of comedy to the Island on May 30.
As well as stunning action on the track, TT visitors can look forward to spectacular sights in the air with the return of the Blades Air Display. The Blades are a leading display team of former Red Arrows pilots renowned worldwide for flying precision close formation aerobatics to the highest level within a dynamic and cutting edge display. The display contains a fantastic variety of different aerobatic stunts flown just feet apart and demonstrates the great skills of the pilots and the versatility of the Extra 300.
The Blades will be appearing over Laxey Bay at 3pm and Douglas Promenade at 7.30pm on June 7, while a Pyrotechnic Air Display featuring close formation and synchronised aerobatics coupled with dramatic lights, smoke and pyrotechnics trailing across Douglas Bay from the two aircraft Twister stunt planes is also scheduled for Douglas promenade on June 5.
The show culminates in the two identical Twister stunt planes simultaneously igniting their custom-made wingtip fireworks whilst mid-loop. The Hawker-Hunter, the subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s, will be returning to the Island’s skies on June 2.
Fans can enjoy thrilling racing outside of the main TT races. Billown hosts the Pre TT Classic and Post TT meetings which bookend the race fortnight, while Ramsey has the Streetbike Challenge on June 3 and annual Sprint on June 5 on the Mooragh Promenade. There are two beach races scheduled during race week, one in Douglas on June 5 from 6.30pm and the other in Peel on June 7 from 7.15pm.
Other towns in the Isle of Man will be welcoming visitors with Peel in Motion day on June 3 and Port Erin TT Day on June 4. Both events promise live music and street entertainment as well as the chance to enjoy the bars, pubs and restaurants in both towns.
Local organisations are also arranging their own bike meetings, with the Isle of Man branch of the VMCC organising their annual TT meetings and ride outs and local bike club The Moddhey Dhoo running their annual get together in Laxey on June 7.
A spectacular firework display over Douglas Bay on the evening of June 8 will signal the end of the 2012 TT and the countdown to the 2013 Isle of Man TT.
A full listing of the TT festival events and timetable can be downloaded from iomtt.com in PDF format.
Isle of Man Tourism Political Member Geoff Corkish said:
“We’ve put together a stunning programme of events that we hope offers something for everyone. I’m delighted that so many of the Island’s communities have got behind the TT festival and are organising their own events and we will be encouraging our visitors to get out and about to see everything that the Island has to offer.”