A major motorcycle event which was expected to inject millions of pounds into the local economy this year has been postponed for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The inaugural Diamond Races event was due to take place this October, but organisers have today (Wednesday) confirmed that the event has been postponed until 2022 – despite the original date still being 8 months away.
In July last year, it was announced that a team of experts from the world of the Isle of Man TT planned to put on the Island’s very first professional motorcycle race. Details emerged about how riders would battle it out in a time trial format at speeds of up to 210mph on a 12.4-mile road course through villages such as Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone.
No date has been set for 2022 but it is expected that the event will take place in October to tie in with the end of the British Superbike Championship.
Each year the Isle of Man sees a boost of over £30million into the local economy as a result of motorcycle racing, with 60,000 visitors spending over £44million which supports some 815 jobs. It is hoped that at least some of that success can be replicated here on the Isle of Wight in an event that could, in years to come, be as important to the Island as the likes of the Isle of Wight Festival and Cowes Week.
Today’s news will come as a blow to many – motorsport fans, local businesses and the organisers who have already put significant time and money into organising the Diamond Races.
Shame. But this news will no doubt brighten the day of the anti-everything not on “OUR” island mob.
Too true – there are so many backward people on this island
Am not anti-everything just pointless exercises thought up by people whose lives it won’t affect. Or the I don’t care as long I get fun out of it brigade.
In what way is the event pointless?
Tell me the point of it then can’t see what it is
If you can’t see how much this event will benefit businesses on the island, I worry. It will bring many millions of pounds into the island, and many jobs will be created.
It would be nice to see how the “£Millions” total has been calculated. Where are these 60k visitors going to be accomodated? Just in tents? How many come across for the Festival?
Yes, the local B&B’s and shops should do well and they deserve it but I presume most of these “local” businesses that are going to take in all the extra cash include Wightlink, Red Funnel, Hovertravel, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, Premier Inn, etc etc. All good “local” companies, not. 🙂 I can imagine a few extra local people being employed but the bulk of the cash will go back to the mainland, or further.
SO true Plato, SO true!
Wonder if the festival and Cowes week will follow.
What local businesses is that then as there’s nothing anywhere near it that will still be open Chale shop for example
All the hotels, restaurants , catering companies and pubs on the island; to name abut a few.
They are not local though are they so how are they going to benefit Chale, Brighstone, Atherfield and Shorwell who have got to put up with all the disruption to their lives
Time for some common sense to prevail
NO NEED to be cancelled.old farts dont want it anyway so music to there ears im sure ! Any excuse too stop it tbh .covid is being used for many unnessesary things that can and should be happen ing
8 f months away.absolutely redik
Viruses will still be here in 2022 fgs
Shame
Most of the sheep will be jabbed by then !!! Hysteria or what
Due to forward planning needed ,understand why 2021 Cancelled. Let’s hope 2022 will be. better, as brings people onto Island.
Come a long and see me dicing at the T.T. races.No limits.Watch it,you may even like it.
Great! Another 2% increase on council tax needed on the top of 5%.
Cancelled IOW Festival? Never mind! Another 4% tax rise!
Slowly but surely the workers wages can be transferred to the Brown envelope Co. and the benny scroungers 🙂
it wont bring millions what a crock of shxxt wont happen anyway and if if does first death it will end.
Isle of Wight festival 3 months earlier than diamond races still going ahead though…. How does that work then?
If everyone gave up planning everything then we have nothing if something can go ahead.