New road rules could spoil the TT party

The TT is on for 2002… but not quite as we knew it.

Expect mobile GATSOs to litter rural roads and speeding offences committed on the island to appear as endorsements on your mainland licence.

And, if that’s not bad enough, new stretches of road will get speed limits. For example, the road which runs from Creg-ny-baa to Douglas will now have a blanket 50mph limit. In previous years, parts of it have been free of restriction.

The TT’s fate has hung in the balance ever since the decision, in April, not to allow the 2000 races to go ahead. The Island’s authorities took the decision in an attempt to keep Foot and Mouth off the Island.To date, the island remains free of the disease.

Council chiefs agreed that the situation needed to look bright a full six or seven months in advance of the 2002 TT, or they would call that event off as well. It seems they are convinced it does.

But there will be extra grandstands in areas away from livestock: Seating in village and town areas for thousands of fans.

The 26th milestone of the 37-mile course will be called Joey’s, in recognition of the 26 TT victories he notched up.

Significantly, Dunlop’s old racing identity – his bike’s number 3 – has been withdrawn from all solo classes, apart from the Senior event.

Cretney explained: ” The number 3 will still be used in the Senior race because positions in that event are decided on qualifying and you can’t qualify first, second and fourth with no-one in third. ”

The decision to use speed cameras across the island comes as a result of rising road accidents year-round on the Island, not just for the TT.

Police are also likely to have a presence on the Mountain to warn riders who they believe are a danger to themselves and others.

The decision to make speeding offences committed on the island an endorsable offence on mainland licences comes from a DTLR consultation paper which recognises motorists who get banned in one area can still be entitled to drive in others.

Although it’s not law yet, it’s almost certain to be by the time the TT comes round in June.

WILL THE NEW RULES PUT YOU OFF GOING? ARE YOU JUST GLAD IT’S GOING AHEAD AT ALL? HAVE YOUR SAY BY FOLLOWING THE LINK, RIGHT.

2002 RACE PROGRAMME

It’s still subject to change but, provisionally, the calendar looks like this:

SATURDAY JUNE 1: TT Formula One (6 laps), Sidecar A (3 laps)

MONDAY JUNE 3: Lightweight (400) TT /Ultralightweight (125) TT (4 laps), Production TT (700-1010) (3 laps), TT Lap of Honour

WEDNESDAY JUNE 5: Junior TT (4 laps), Sidecar B (3 laps)

FRIDAY JUNE 7, Production (600) TT (3 laps), Senior TT (6 laps)