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Mark Hinchliffe·
Motorbike news
··14 Comments·2 min read

Where should a TT road race be held?

Isle of Man prestigious
Isle of Man TT

Now that the proposal for Sunshine Coast International TT (SSCITT) race has been axed, organisers are looking elsewhere to stage a motorcycle road race.

READ ABOUT THE AXED PROPOSAL

Where do you think an Isle of Man TT style race should be held in Australia? Leave your comments in the reply box below this story.

The organisers have mentioned NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as possible venues, but have not indicated anywhere specific.

 

A TT course would need to meet a number of criteria:

  • It would need to be handy to a major city and easily accessible by road and/or train with a nearby airport;
  • It would need to be a circuit of about 45-65km in length for multiple laps;
  • There should be minimal disruption to local communities and the course should not cut them off;
  • The circuit should be picturesque to yield tourism potential;
  • It should be a challenging circuit to attract the best riders, but not too dangerous; and
  • The circuit should inspire riders and motorsport fans.

Finding a circuit to fit all those criteria and attract international riders, major sponsorship and the support of state and local levels of government and the governing motorsport bodies is going to be a very difficult task.

The Sunshine Coast proposal was well received by the councillors and much of the local community, although there was a small band of vocal protestors and supporters.

Dealing with similar protestors could also be difficult for any major motorsport event.

Consider the World Rally Championship in the Northern Rivers area of NSW which was abandoned after one year because of hippy protestors.

The event subsequently moved to Coffs Harbour which has been reaping millions in tourism benefits ever since.

WRC in Coffs Harbour
WRC in Coffs Harbour

The Lions Road TT event on the Queensland/NSW border in 2014 and 2015 now also looks to be axed.

It was never a race, only untimed rides over a closed section of the Lions Rd. The rides were cancelled after crashes on the second day in the inaugural year and axed from the schedule last year.

There is no word yet from organisers about a 2016 Lions TT and Kyogle Council executive manager Graham Kennett says they are still awaiting an event plan.

Lions TT
Lions Rd TT

Maleny Supports SSCITT Facebook page organiser Rachel Adele was understandably upset with the decision to axe the proposal.

“I’m really disappointed and frustrated that another region will ultimately benefit from the community and financial rewards of a TT race due to the actions of a small group of Maleny NIMBYS,” she says.

“We missed out but good luck to (organiser) David Rollins. He’s sure to find another town that’ll be chomping at the bit to get the event happening.”

We also wish David all the best of luck with the next venue he chooses for a TT race.

He is no novice when it comes to dealing with major events. The advertising and communications expert was responsible for the Mr Motocross series and says he has a team of experts with world’s best practices in event management.

However, crowd funding for the event on gofundme.com only raised a few hundred dollars of a $75,000 target.

So, where do you suggest a TT race be held in Australia?

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Mark Hinchliffe
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14 Comments

  1. Around the city…. down Edward Street (imagine the the bikes getting air under them as they cross Ann Street!) along Alice Street and then back up Creek (I think) under the rail line, left into Wharf Street with a neat right angle to the left and along to Edward street again.

    As for noise.. all entrants most produce at last 125 db per bike or they are not eligible.

    Now won’t that sort out the wingers???

  2. from reports i have read the organiser was
    looking for $75,000 in crowdfunding and
    raised just $345 Now seventy five grand
    is not really that much.So exactly how many
    backers has he got, And how much of his own
    money has he spent. It all seems just a little
    Walter Mittyesque

  3. Tasmania would be ideal in the summer, the weather is nice and still cool enough for optimal road temperatures. The South is better than the North with some spectacular backdrops, only downside is the unpredictable weather and the Antarctic winds. Which can be a blessing or a curse. But you literally flip the coin on the day per se.

  6. Thunderbolts way in NSW, the ride starts from Gloucester & the first rider to Walcha / Inverell is the winner!
    Ha, now you know what we do on the weekends out this way, & my mighty GS500 has shown a clean set of heals
    to many a unsuspecting rider, & if perchance I am left behind, out ridden / out gunned!
    there is many a laugh to be had over a drink @ the end of the track, woops! road.

  7. Why bother, if David couldn’t even get his proposal into Council on the Sunny Coast ,what makes you think he can do it elsewhere.

    I’m all for a TT race, perhaps Troy Bayliss would be more successful in getting an event such as this off the ground

  8. I wouldn’t get too excited people, I don’t think nanny would even consider allowing a TT-style race here. And even if the impossible were to happen, imagine the hordes of nimbys that would suddenly emerge and slow the whole process down to a crawl.

  9. How about a modified version of TARGA in hobart we have some of the most amazing twisties in the world almost as if yhe tarmac gods themselves lay them for their own entertainment.

  11. I reckon up Cairns way and incorporate the Gillies Hwy, they say it has 365 turns, up over the ranges.

  12. RON BURTON HERE , YEH THE BATHURST IDEA SOUNDS GREAT , BUT WHAT ABOUT CAIRNS TO PORT DOUGLAS , THAN TO MOUNT MOLLOY , THAN MAREEBA THAN DOWN TO SMITHFIELD , AND MAKE SMITHFIELD THE START ALSO ,
    THEY CLOSE THE ROADS HERE EVERY YEAR FOR THE TRIATHALON . WHY DO PUSH BIKE RIDERS GET TO RACE ON THE STREET AND UPSET THE COMMUNITY AND WE CANT I THOUGHT WE WERE ALL EQUAL .

  13. Not much chance of getting anything off the ground in Nanny Sate Queensland! The Cops think everything is caused by speeding! They don’t look at the piss poor standard of some of the drivers who have no idea how to drive and whom live in their own world. Some drivers don’t look or indicate and just drive where they are heading and stuff everyone else! This minority of drivers are the cause of most of the draconian traffic laws create to protect them and the rest of us suffer!
    Then you have The Not In My Backyard types who don’t want to be put out. (Maleny)

    I think Tassie is the spot, at least they allow the Targa or maybe NZ!

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