2021 Classic TT cancelled
The 2021 Isle of Man Classic TT has been cancelled for the second year running, due to ongoing uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic. The organisers announced today that the races, due to take place between Sunday 22nd and Monday 30th August, will no longer go ahead. The subsequent Manx Grand Prix, which is seen as an amateur’s gateway to the TT itself, has also been called off.
The announcement is yet another blow to both motorsport and to the Island’s economy, which has already suffered as the result of the 2020 and 2021 editions of the contemporary TT races cancelled. However, ongoing uncertainly regarding the availability of marshals, medics, race officials and other vital volunteers led to the decision.
Laurence Skelly, the island’s Minister for the Department for Enterprise, commented: "Despite the undoubted progress that the Isle of Man and the UK are making in rolling out its vaccination programme, the central issue of the availability of sufficient marshals, medics and other race officials to run the event safely and effectively remains. Once again we are making an early, but regrettable, decision to provide clarity and certainty to race officials, fans and sponsors, as well as the teams and competitors.
“We also have to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the Island’s residents, and the sustainability of our own health service, through managing our island’s border protocols, allowing medical professionals both on the Island, and those that come over to support the event, to instead be able to concentrate on the ongoing medical challenges presented by the global pandemic.
“Our focus and resources will now be switched on to the successful return of racing on the Mountain Course for the 2022 TT Races, Classic TT Races and Manx Grand Prix and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our island when it is safe and practical for them to return.”
Paul Phillips, TT Business Development Manager, commented: “Obviously this is yet another disappointing announcement for us to have to make, but as with the cancellation of the 2021 TT Races, it was important that an early decision was made to give clarity and certainty to the thousands of visitors and individuals that come together for the Classic TT.
“A two-year break from racing on the Island is not what anyone would have wanted, but our Motorsport Team have been hard at work to ensure that the TT and Classic TT return stronger than ever in 2022 and we look forward to sharing some of these developments in the coming weeks and months.”
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