TT: Isle of Man Government to retain control of TT for 2017

In a shock move the Isle of Man Government has announced the appointment of the new TT promoters, Vision Nine, has been delayed.

After a long and controversial tender process aimed at privatising the management of the world’s premier road race, the English based promotions company had been chosen to run the TT and Classic TT last April.

It was expected that Vision Nine would take over the reins in 2017 but the Island’s Department of Economic Development, which currently has responsibility for running the event, will now retain control for at least another year and no new date for the hand over to Vision Nine has been given.

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A DED statement blamed “issues raised by other Government Departments concerning certain operational matters” for the stalling of the controversial privatisation process.

Resolving these issues “has taken longer than envisaged”, Department of Economic Development Minister, Laurence Skelly, explained.

“In order to ensure that plans for the 2017 TT are not adversely affected by the delay, we have taken the decision to defer the start date for the appointment.”

 Julian Topham, CEO of Vision Nine, did not conceal his frustration about the latest development in the long running saga.

‘Whilst we are disappointed that the Department has not been able to fully conclude the Promoter Agreement in line with the planned Tender timelines, we also fully recognise the complexity of formulating an agreement in relation to an event that spans a number of Government Departments’ responsibilities.” he said, adding that he hoped the agreement would be in place for 2018.

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