Buzz builds for 2006 TT Festival

by Mark McGregor
BBC News

Practice for the 2006 event gets under way on 27 May

David Cretney, tourism minister for the Isle of Man, knows the unique thrill of tearing around the TT course at speeds well in excess of 100mph.

As a former Manx Grand Prix competitor, he understands what draws entrants and up to 40,000 fans back to the island year after year.

But as the centenary approaches, he is realistic about the measures need to ensure the TT Races - billed by some as the world's most dangerous motorcycle road race - continue into the future.

Organisers are replacing the traditional straw bales with barriers, more safety officials will be monitoring the course and the training budget for marshals has been trebled.

"Even after all that it is still a dangerous sport. It is a dangerous sport and that's part of the attraction for the competitors," said Mr Cretney.

"But there is a balance between tradition and thinking forward into the future.

"We have to demonstrate - and I think we are demonstrating - our commitment to safety."

For me they (competitors) are above the mundane David Cretney

Mr Cretney said continued investment was essential for the future of the event because of "the world we now live in".

But he insisted that the spirit of the TT would not be affected, and the changes had largely been welcomed by the biking community.

The Tourist Trophy festival gets under way on Saturday with the first practice section.

More than 200 competitors from 18 countries are taking part in 2006, with the 40,000 fans swelling the island's population of 70,000 people.

It is a time when the island residents who do not like the racing go on holiday, often renting out their homes to tourists as part of the government's "Home Stay" scheme.

"It works very well because we don't have enough hotel bed spaces for this one event and we wouldn't have the room if it wasn't for that," Mr Cretney said.

But the festival is about more than just motorcycles and is the biggest individual tourism event on the island, generating between £17m and £20m for the economy.

Alice Cooper

In 2006, the Department of Tourism is promoting the other aspects of the festival and particularly its music programme.

Established performers such as Alice Cooper and Lou Reed are holding concerts while dozens of fringe events are taking place in local pubs.

"One of things we like to do is have plenty of things going on all over the island," said Mr Cretney.

"Obviously, it's the races which are the hook but people still enjoy everything else that's going on."

Islanders, tourists, bikers and competitors mix freely in what Mr Cretney describes as a fantastic atmosphere.

"It's a bit like a melting point. Everyone just gets together and has a good time."

But despite the extra events, the attraction for Mr Cretney and thousands of race fans like him is clear - the competitors themselves.

"For me they are above the mundane," he said. "They want to do something different.

"You know, you get people climbing mountains and there are all kinds of analogies. Well what they want to do is ride motorcycles."

The Isle of Man TT Festival begins on 27 May with practice, with the first race, the TT Superbike, a week later on Saturday 3 June.