ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCREASES HOSPITALITY PROGRAMME FOR MOUNTAIN COURSE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS – All TT Grandstand and Hospitality tickets available from official Travel Agency Regency Travel The Isle of Man Department of Economic Development has increased the Official Hospitality capacity for the 2011 TT Races due to the popularity of the VIP packages. There will now be 300 places available on each of the four race days – an increase of 100 places on the 2010 level. The VIP Club Hospitality only packages are priced at £240 plus VAT per guest, with guests encouraged to book their tickets before 1st January 2011 to take advantage of the lower VAT rate. The deal grants exclusive access to the TT VIP Club where people can entertain their guests at the heart of the world famous race. The TT VIP Club is located trackside in Noble’s Park, next to Glencrutchery road, which features the start/finish and return lane and overlooks the winners enclosure. The VIP Club Hospitality Package offers the guests all day access to the Hospitality Suite. This includes a complementary bar open during licensing hours, breakfast served until 10am and a gourmet hot and cold buffet lunch prepared by first class chefs. Tickets can be purchased individually or booked as tables of eight. The package also offers reserved grandstand seating; a bird’s eye view from the hospitality suite roof-top, access to the TT paddock, exclusive rider appearances and race day competitions with money can’t buy prizes. Guests will also receive a special souvenir TT gift pack that includes official merchandise, the official TT programme, a race guide and an ear-piece radio tuned to Manx Radio’s ‘Radio TT’, the official TT radio station. VIP guests are also treated to seeing the top 3 TT riders from each race in the hospitality area shortly after each race as well as hearing their post race thoughts and the views of some of the celebrities and ex riders. Last year Jorge Lorenzo, Angel Nieto, Danny John Jules, Keith Flint from the Prodigy and Carl Fogarty were all spotted in the VIP area. A large number of Motorcycling legends and VIP’s are expected to attend in 2011 including commentator Murray Walker OBE who will be on hand as part of the Mountain Course Centenary celebrations. The Hospitality packages are available for each of the four race days at the 2011 TT Races. Saturday 4th June sees the prestigious TT Superbike Race and the first Sidecar Race, Monday 6th June features the Royal London 360 Superstock Race and the first Monster Energy Supersport Race. The second Monster Energy Supersport and second Sidecar Races are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8th June along with the clean emissions TT Zero Race and the week finishes on Friday 10th June with the PokerStars Senior Race, ‘Milestones of the Mountain’ Centenary Parade and Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary Parade. Grandstand tickets are also now available with seats priced at £30 for the Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT and £25 for the other race days. Tickets for exclusive TT hospitality as part of the promenade entertainment will also shortly be available, while there are also plans for a prestigious Black Tie dinner as part of the Centenary celebrations. The 2011 TT VIP packages are now available direct from Regency Travel, the Official TT Races Travel Partner. Regency Travel is now marketing hospitality only tickets as well as VIP travel and accommodation. Fans can also purchase grandstand tickets from the Douglas based company by calling +44 1624 694456 or email [email protected] Allan Bell MHK, Minister for Economic Development commented: “We are really pleased with the strength of the TT races hospitality programme which continues to grow. Many local and international businesses are using the event to entertain clients and incentivise staff and we are also seeing a lot of individuals buying the tickets to make their TT experience truly memorable. ” He continued: “I would encourage fans who want to buy tickets to get their orders in early as we are already seeing a high level of enquiries for people who want to be close to the action during the Mountain Course Centenary meeting.” More, from another press release issued by Isle of Man TT organizers: ITV INCREASES TT RACES COVERAGE WITH NEW LONG TERM DEAL – Department of Economic Development confirms new TV contract North One has negotiated a new deal with ITV on behalf of the Department of Economic Development to broadcast the Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The new agreement will increase the hours of coverage that the broadcaster dedicates to the event. Fourteen hours of daily highlights of the legendary motorbike racing series will be shown on ITV4 throughout the road race festival, including preview, behind the scenes and qualifying programmes. There will also be a number of special programmes, including an exclusive look at the making of next year’s feature film TT3D. Next year is the centenary of the mountain course, and a raft of special guests, events and celebrations are planned. Clips of all the action, all the excitement from the festival and the full highlights programmes will also be available on ITV.com. ITV4 is the UK’s 10th most popular digital channel and is available to 93 percent of homes, free-to-air on all digital platforms including Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media. The channel has an established reputation for broadcasting premium sport, which this year has included the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Europa League, Indian Premier League cricket and the Tour de France. Other motorsport broadcast by ITV includes the British Touring Car Championship, World Touring Cars and Motorsport UK. Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport said: “The Isle of Man TT is a legendary sporting event, with a unique atmosphere that has always proven popular with viewers. I’m delighted that we have secured the TT on ITV4 until 2013.” Neil Duncanson, CEO of North One Television said: “ITV4’s real commitment to the TT was a key reason in pulling together a long term agreement. Not only will the races get prime time slots, but the marketing and promotion of the TT across the nation’s premier commercial network is extremely valuable.” Allan Bell, MHK, Minister, Economic Development, commented: “Television coverage of the TT is an important part of what we are trying to achieve for the Isle of Man’s economy, both in terms of promoting the many facets that the Isle of Man has to offer and also with regard to our commercial strategy for the races. I am delighted that we have been able to secure significant support from one of the UK’s leading broadcasters which is a positive reflection on the event’s strength and success.” More, from a press release issued by Isle of Man TT organizers: MONSTER ENERGY SET TO FUEL PROMENADE ENTERTAINMENT AT TT2011 The Department of Economic Development has announced an action packed programme of Festival entertainment for the 2011 TT Races that will be fuelled by TT title sponsor Monster Energy. The line-up will include seven nights of thrilling entertainment on Douglas Promenade as well as a wide variety of bike themed events around the rest of the Island. Extreme sports, stunt shows, air displays, music, chat and unique TT entertainment will all feature in the action-packed calendar. Fans will have numerous opportunities to meet and greet their heroes throughout the festival including the paddock walkabouts ahead of the Superbike and Pokerstars Senior TT. TT 2011 will also feature the 100th anniversary celebrations of the famous TT Mountain Course, including the ‘Milestones of the Mountain’ theme that will see many of the greatest moments, machines and riders in the TT’s history celebrated in an iconic parade, a ‘Day of Champions’ in the paddock and the 50th anniversary celebrations of leading Japanese manufacturer Yamaha’s involvement in the TT Races. Saturday 4th June sees the beginning of the all star seven-night action sports and entertainment line up on Harris Promenade which will take the fan experience to a whole new level. TT title sponsor Monster Energy will be transforming the Prom into an intense playground of high-octane adrenaline filled awesomeness. Renowned for their world-class athletes and teams, Monster Energy will bring a whole new dimension to the TT on the Prom entertainment, upping the ante on the seven nights of entertainment of TT on the Prom. Featuring FMX and motorsport display teams and athletes from around the globe, celebrity appearances and the ever-popular Monster Energy girls, the evening shows will be rocking to music from the Monster Energy Watchtower, where DJ legends will be firing up the turntables to entertain the masses below. The shows are set to be massively popular but fans needn’t worry about missing any of the action, thanks to a huge screen broadcasting the night-time events. Meanwhile, thrill seekers will be able to experience an adrenaline rush of their own with a choice of bungee jumping, gyroscopes, simulators, slingshots and more. For the less energetic there will be plenty of opportunity to visit one of the famous beer tents, sample some Manx Real Ale and soak up the unique atmosphere. With air displays and fireworks over Douglas Bay, and those unique TT events such as the Beach Race, there’s plenty on offer for everyone, ensuring the TT is once again a test of the fans’ stamina as much as the riders’. The entertainment schedule comes to a climactic end on Senior Race Day, Friday 10th June, with the final night of action on Douglas Promenade. Included in the programme will be the Senior TT Prize Presentation and a very special ‘Milestones of the Mountain’ parade, featuring many of the most famous riders and machines from the past 100 years of TT history. The action during the TT festival isn’t confined to Douglas. Peel in the West of the Island will host a special TT Day on Sunday 5th June featuring attractions for all the family. Ramsey continues to host the ever-popular Ramsey Sprint on Tuesday 7th 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 action moves to Laxey on the east coast of the Island on Thursday 9th when local motorcycle club the Moddey Dhoo host their annual meeting on Laxey breakwater. The day will feature custom motorbike displays and live music. More live music can be found almost anywhere in the Island throughout the fortnight with an eclectic range of bands ensuring there’s always something to suit all tastes. There will also be live music every evening at the ever-popular ‘Bushy’s Beer Tent’ featuring the best local talent. Look out too for rallies and ride-outs, beach-cross, moto-cross, club gatherings and much more. Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK, Political Member, Isle of Man Tourism commented: “We are working to create festival for the centenary of the Mountain Course that will live long in the memory of visitors and residents alike and are very grateful to Monster Energy for bringing their spectacular activities to the Isle of Man for the 2011 TT Races.”