Dunlop pay-out threatens vital TT entries

Grids for the make-or-break 2002 TT could dwindle in the wake of Robert Dunlop’s £700,000 compensation settlement.

Dunlop’s award, made on January 17 this year, was for injuries sustained following the collapse of a wheel in the 1994 Formula One TT. Now many teams are worrying they might have to make a pay-out if an accident happens to them.

On the back of last year’s cancelled TT, it’s very bad news for organisers

Now the Isle of Man government is racing against time to find a solution to suit all parties.

Currently there is no cover available against product failure during a race but the ACU along with the Manx government has contacted a leading motorsports insurer to see if they can come up with a product liability policy for teams.

It is the scale of the Dunlop pay-out that has worried many of the smaller teams and sponsors. Bullock Racing has won seven Manx GPs but its owner Martin Bullock is refusing to enter the TT until the insurance situation is resolved.

” My bikes will be staying in my garage until this whole issue is resolved. The implication that we could be next to receive a law suit for hundreds of thousands of pounds is frightening, ” he said.

Insurance broker, Alexander Forbes Motor Sports Risk Services, is not confident about the chances of a package become available considering the risks involved racing on closed public roads. MORE IN MCN, ON SALE FEBRUARY 4, 2002.

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