DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFIRMS 2014 ISLE OF MAN TT RACE SCHEDULE AS TICKETS GO ON SALE The World’s greatest road racers will again go head to head for honours at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development has confirmed an unchanged race schedule following the record breaking 2013 meeting. The 2013 meeting saw all of the solo lap and race records broken, except the Senior TT lap record from 2009, including a new outright lap record of 131.671mph by John McGuinness while Michael Dunlop claimed four stunning race wins at record pace as well as two new lap records. A number of other race winners are confirmed for 2014 including the returning Ian Hutchinson, Bruce Anstey, James Hillier, Gary Johnson and Michael Rutter while Conor Cummins, Guy Martin, William Dunlop and Dean Harrison will be looking to claim their maiden race wins. Josh Brookes, the event’s fastest ever newcomer last year, also returns in 2014. In the Sure Sidecar Races, six former winners are expected to line up in 2013 including defending champions Tim Reeves and Daniel Sayle and the Birchall Brothers, Ben and Tom. 2012 Race winners John Holden and Andy Winkle will be looking to get back on the top step in 2014 while sixteen-time champion Dave Molyneux and his passenger Patrick Farrance will be looking to improve on their two podium finishes in 2013. The returning Ian Bell and his son Carl add further intrigue. Ian last competed in the TT in 2004 and was a race winner in 2003. The race schedule kicks off with the now traditional curtain raiser the Dainese Superbike Race and the first Sure Sidecar Race on Saturday 31st May and is followed by Monday’s Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 and the RL360 Superstock Race. Wednesday’s packed programme gets underway with the SES TT Zero, followed by the Monster Energy Supersport Race 2 and the Sure Sidecar Race 2. Friday – the climax of the meeting – opens with the Bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight Race and culminates with the PokerStars Senior TT Race – a race with guaranteed drama and thrills if previous years are anything to go by. Grandstand seating is available in four spectacular locations around the world-famous TT Mountain Course, each offering unrivalled views, dedicated parking, public conveniences, WiFi and live commentary. The TT Grandstand and Nobles Park Grandstand at the heart of the race paddock offer the unrivalled sight of the start/finish line and pit lane action while the course grandstands at Ballacrye and Creg Ny Baa have been chosen for their spectacular views. With food and drink also available to purchase, the Official TT Grandstands are the top vantage spots for 2014. Fans can get to the heart of the TT Races race with the exclusive TT VIP Club, which offers complimentary bar, plus breakfast and a gourmet buffet lunch. The package also offers reserved grandstand seating; easy access to the TT paddock, plus exclusive appearances by leading riders and special guests. The ultimate experience is also available with the Platinum VIP Package which offers full hospitality hosted by a TT Legend, plus access to the start line, winner’s enclosure and post race press conferences as well as a much coveted closed road lap of the course in the official course car. This year the TT VIP Club will feature the ‘TT Preview Night’ on Friday 30 May. Hosted by World Superbike legend Neil Hodgson, the ticket entitles you to a night of VIP Hospitality and a behind-the-scenes preview of the week’s racing. Tickets are priced at £60 and include a seat for that evening’s final qualifying session in the TT Grandstand, plus special access to the post-qualifying press conference as well as a buffet and autograph session. Neil Hodgson will also be hosting the ‘Moto GP Mad Sunday Lunch’ on 1 June with some very special guests for the day’s coverage of the Italian MotoGP. Tickets are priced at just £60 and include Sunday lunch, pre-race chat and a post race Q&A session. To book tickets visit shop.iomtt.com from 10am on Saturday 23rd.