On Air One to Three Christy Dehaven | 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Potential of TT 'needs to be realised'

Racing pundit takes swipe at gov't promotion

The Isle of Man Government needs to 'get its act together' and realise the potential of the TT.

That's the claim in an article on the biking website BSN.

US motorsport journalist Robin Miller claims the event is faster and safer than ever before, and asserts that the numbers of fans attending was up again last year.

However, he also points out it's just as well the government don't appear to take any credit for this.

Mr Miller writes: 'if any organization is capable of shooting itself in the foot, it is the Manx government and its Department of Enterprise'.

He puts the success of the TT, which lost its championship status back in 1976, down to modern media coverage and perception - with its obvious element of danger being an attraction as worldwide interest in extreme sports grows.

It's also claimed that the Island's appeal as a tourist attraction 'has almost totally vanished except to the elderly', so the 60,000 who visit the races and 'contribute millions to the economy' are welcomed.

Mr Miller concludes by saying he believes the true potential of the TT is still to be realised.

More from Isle of Man News