ACU to manage Isle of Man TT race programme

ACU Events limited, a subsidary of the Auto Cycle Union, is to run the Isle of Man TT races in future following the resignation of the previous event organisers, the Manx Motorcycle Club.

The dramatic news comes as part of a major restructure of the Isle of Man TT races by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure, on behalf of the Manx Government, creating a structure that aims to ensure the long term success and security of the TT, by bringing together the main bodies that have a role in the event.

Minister for Tourism and Leisure, the Hon Adrian Earnshaw MHK, said: “The TT is a world class motorsport event with a global identity.  Every year the Department reviews all elements of the races as part of an ongoing programme to ensure the long term future, success and professionalism of the event.

“The new organisational structure is based in part on the proven structures managing events like the British Touring Car Championship and British Superbike Championship.

“I am particularly pleased that this new approach will allow the Island’s most highly skilled volunteers to work alongside experienced UK officials, so that the races will combine improved professionalism with local experience.”

The Isle of Man TT Races new Co-ordinating Committee will include the DTL, the Isle of Man Department of Home Affairs, the Isle of Man Constabulary, the Isle of Man Department of Transport, the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association and senior race officials.

It will be responsible for all areas associated with managing the Isle of TT races, and will be supported by six working groups that will cover specialist areas of the event, such as course maintenance, traffic management and the festival activities.

As part of the new organisation, and following the Manx Motor Cycle Club’s resignation on the September 27, 2007 the DTL has appointed ACU Events Ltd as race organiser. ACU Events Ltd will work with experienced officials from across the island’s motorcycling clubs to assemble a team to organise and co-ordinate the race organisation.

The company is a subsidiary of the Auto Cycle Union, the accrediting body for motorcycle sport in the UK, but the two bodies are legally separate organisations.

The ACU has been involved with the running of the Isle of Man TT races in the past. They were effectively partners with the Manx Government until 2003. Then the Manx Government took full ownership of the Isle of Man TT races for the 2004 season and brought the Manx Motorcycle Club in to look after the race organisation.

But the Manx MCC is made up of volunteers and, to take the event into the future, it was felt the TT would benefit from a professional race organisation hence the return of the ACU to the Island.

ACU Events Ltd will be responsible for all competitive elements of the Isle of Man TT Races including working with the TT Marshals Association to provide marshalling cover on the TT Course, the provision of medical cover and managing the appointed circuit set up contractor, and working alongside all other established supporting organisations involved.

The overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the Isle of Man TT festival now lies with the TT Races Co-ordinating Committee, which ACU Events Ltd will report to.
Jim Parker, Chairman of ACU Events Ltd, commented:  “ACU Events are delighted to be working with the Department of Tourism and Leisure and their partners to continue delivering a successful TT going into the future.

“We have collectively identified a professional management structure which we believe can take the TT into its second century of racing on a solid footing.

“It is our aim to work with as many of the on Island officials as possible in order to deliver an event which maintains its position as the Island’s major sporting event.”