The organisers of Diamond Races 2021 are issuing a residents information booklet and are holding a series of local meetings with Parish Councils ahead of next October’s inaugural event.
The high-profile motorsport festival, which will feature high-performance motorcycles completing an iconic 12.4-mile course through Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone, promises to bring a much-needed financial boost for the Island, with some 40,000 visitors expected over the 4-day event.
The booklet and meetings will outline Diamond Races’ 3 principal priorities: the safety of both the public and competitors; ensuring minimum inconvenience to residents and businesses and maximising the benefits to the economy of the island.
Diamond Races co-founder, Paul Sandford and Isle of Man TT and Diamond Races Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson, will be also available at the local meetings to answer any questions.
Paul says:
“We are passionate about making this an exceptional event for the Isle of Wight – by extending the tourist season to the end of October, collaborating with all the relevant agencies to support new initiatives around road safety and infrastructure, and boosting the local economy through being a sustainable island-focused event.
“We are hoping to attract some 40,000 visitors and this type of racing has a wide international appeal. Welcoming these first-time visitors to the island will further magnify the facilities, opportunities and beauty of our island”.
Article continues below this advertisement
Amongst a series of wide-ranging benefits for both the local and wider island community the brochure highlights the event’s particular support of the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart’s 3E’s campaign: Engage | Educate | Enforce, the renewed and innovative road safety campaign.
In addition to the boost in trading volumes for the Island’s hospitality and services businesses, the organisers underline the longer-term business opportunities, as well as the creation of hundreds of jobs to support delivery of the event. It is anticipated that the island’s economy will benefit in excess of £4million in direct spend through delivering the event with a net total contribution to the Isle of Wight’s economy expected to be some £12.5million.
The booklet and meetings aim to address some local concerns relating to road closures and access to bus services and local medical services. The organisers underline their aim to minimise, as much as possible, the impact on residents in the immediate locality and reassurance of the plans in place to mitigate against any inconvenience.
Hard copies are available from Chale Service Station, The Wight Mouse, Shorwell Stores, Brighstone Newsagents, The Three Bishops and Dave Death Motorcycles in Carisbrooke. Further copies are being delivered locally.
A copy of the booklet is currently available through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6719766430591528960-RNVd/.
The Diamond Races has asked local Councillors to encourage their residents to attend the Parish roadshow events, communicate directly with the Diamond Races team and, continue to offer thoughts and assured them that open consultation was paramount to allay any concerns or issues.
This whole sorry business so far should have started with this but better late than never and, with a year to address any legitimate concerns, this will now, hopefully, be every bit a good as promised.
October next year, no vaccine for covid-19, 40,000 expected visitors (really!!!!) it ain’t gonna happen…..
This is fantastic news, will be looking forward to welcoming a new even to the Island.