IOM GOVERNMENT LOOK TO CAPITALISE ON THE SUCCESS OF TT ZERO RACE AS SHOWCASE FOR ISLAND’S CLEAN TECH CAPABILITIES – New prize fund added to encourage more colleges and universities to enter – TT Zero 100 Club introduced to recognise first 100mph laps The Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development has confirmed that the ground-breaking TT Zero Clean Emissions Motorcycle Race will again take place on the Isle of Man in 2011 as part of the TT Races. The race is now in its third year and is used by the Department as a showcase for the Isle of Man’s Clean Tech capabilities as well as encouraging enterprise and innovation. Allan Bell MHK, Minister, Department of Economic Development, commented: “Running the electric bike race as part of the TT Races has given us an excellent platform to demonstrate the Isle of Man’s clean tech capabilities. This event continues to offer best in practice development and puts the Island at the heart of innovative design and groundbreaking technology.” He continued: “We have created a business environment on the Isle of Man that encourages small and developing businesses to flourish. We have more floatations on the AIM market than any jurisdiction outside the UK and we are proving particularly attractive for technology companies with valuable intellectual property. We already have a cluster effect with aerospace, carbon trading and commercial space projects and are in talks with a number of other businesses from associated industries.” The Department has also created a new ‘University Prize’ of £5,000, which will be awarded to the fastest University or College team as part of the 2011 Race. University teams representing Kingston, Imperial and Brunel have already experienced the event and will be among the favourites for the prize. The Isle of Man Government has also confirmed that there will be an iconic ‘100 Club’ set up for the first 10 teams who are able to record a 100mph lap on an clean emissions bike. Each of the ten will also receive an iconic limited edition replica trophy, designed by a local Manx artist. Each of the trophies will be individually numbered. It is not expected that all ten trophies will be given away in 2011. To date no team has achieved the landmark time around the 37¾ mile course, with the current lap record holder for the class, last year’s winner, Moto Czysz, recording a winning time of 96.82mph (23:22.89) average lap speed. This means that the £10,000 prize on offer from the Isle of Man Government to the first team to record the prestigious mark is also still available in 2011. The event has already attracted a number of individuals, universities and businesses worldwide and to date 7 countries have been represented UK, Isle of Man, USA, India, Germany, Austria and Sweden. This year new countries and teams are expected to participate in the race, which will take place on Wednesday 8th June 2011. Interest in the TT Zero clean emissions bike race is growing since the first race in 2009 and North One Television, who control the sales and distribution of the TT Races, has confirmed that this year the programming will include an in-depth analysis of the TT Zero race in their international highlights package which will go out on leading broadcasters worldwide. The event has also attracted significant media coverage to date, both from core bike media as well as national, broadcast and specialist technology press worldwide. More, from a press release issued by Isle of Man TT organizers: DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO CHECK IN WITH AUTHORISED HOMESTAY PROGRAMME DURING TT RACES Isle of Man Tourism, part of the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Economic Development, has encouraged visitors to use the ‘Homestay’ Programme that operates throughout the TT Races, from 30th May to 10th June 2011. Demand for accommodation during the event in 2011 is expected to be high across all forms of accommodation including camp sites, hotels and guest houses. The Tourism team runs an authorised service where local residents offer up their houses, flats or individual beds for paying guests on a bed and breakfast or self catering basis. Isle of Man Tourism registered 670 properties for the TT and Manx Grand Prix periods in 2010 and this year they have already issued an appeal to local residents to provide additional accommodation for visitors to cope with the increased demand because of the Mountain Course Centenary. All of the registered accommodation providers in the Homestay Programme have their properties inspected to ensure that they are of the required standard. The accommodation provides an affordable way to visit the event with the average price of a night costing around £20 to £25 per person. The full list of accommodation can be found at the Isle of Man Tourism website visitisleofman.com or the official TT Races website iomtt.com. Allan Bell MHK, Minister for Economic Development said: ‘The Homestay scheme is hugely popular with our visitors seeking accommodation during the TT Races when demand outstrips our hotel and guest accommodation availability. We want our visitors to enjoy their experience on the Isle of Man during the TT Races, which is why we encourage them to check out the accommodation on the approved Homestay list as the Tourism team have already carried out site visits to make sure that it meets the required standard.’ He went on to say: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world. By offering Homestay you could give them a genuine warm Manx welcome and hopefully make lifetime friendships.’ More, from a press release issued by Isle of Man TT organizer: Royal London 360° confirms commitment to Isle of Man TT for eighth consecutive year -The Isle of Man TT’s longest existing sponsor has reaffirmed its commitment to the event in 2011. Royal London 360° will sponsor the TT Superstock race for the eighth consecutive year, having begun its association with the event back in 2004. The offshore life company, which is based in the Isle of Man, offers a broad range of investment, savings and award-winning tax planning products to international investors. Royal London 360° is delighted to be continuing its support for the Island’s flagship event; in addition to providing considerable investment, it is committed to promoting both the TT and the company’s Manx roots on a global level. In 2010, it flew 25 guests from countries such as China, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Switzerland to watch the event for the first time. In 2011, it will bring 50 new guests to the Isle of Man who have never previously experienced the TT. The company’s support of the Isle of Man TT extends beyond race sponsorship. Finance and Commercial Director, Mike Crellin, retired from racing at the end of the 2008 season after achieving a number of Top 30 Superbike race finishes during his ten year career; Technical Marketing Manager, Neil Chadwick, is an experienced TT and Manx Grand Prix competitor, having made his debut on the Mountain Course in 2003. He intends to race on the Isle of Man again in 2011. There was a tense climax to the 2010 Royal London 360° TT Superstock race which eventually saw history-maker Ian Hutchinson come home in first place, Ryan Farquhar in second and Manxman Conor Cummins in third. All eyes will be on the world-famous 37.73 mile Mountain Course to see if Hutchinson can make it a hat-trick of Royal London 360° Superstock TT wins in 2011. Ian Hutchinson said: “Without the support of partners such as Royal London 360°, the TT would not happen their sponsorship is vital to the event’s success. I am looking forward to working with them again in 2011, and hopefully lifting the Superstock trophy once more!” Mike Crellin commented: “We are very proud to support arguably the greatest road race on earth whilst at the same time investing in our Manx roots. The Royal London 360° Superstock TT is an event we are delighted to be associated with and, commercially, the partnership between the two things the Isle of Man is best known for its finance industry and the TT races is unrivalled. I am very much looking forward to TT 2011 and continuing our incredibly successful relationship for an eighth year.” Geoff Corkish, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development, said: “I am delighted that Royal London 360° is continuing its sponsorship of the Superstock TT race again in 2011. The company is an ardent supporter of the TT, and does a lot of work to promote both the event and the Isle of Man in the international jurisdictions in which it operates. Without this support, the TT would not be able to maintain its high-profile and continued growth.” The Royal London 360° takes place on Monday 6 June 2011