Isle of Man TT Festival 2001
In a speech to the Manx Parliament, Tynwald, on 24 April 2001 Chief Minister Donald Gelling MHK announced the annual Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Races for the year 2001 would not be taking place due to the threat of foot and mouth disease. The disease has spread throughout other areas of the British Isles but the Isle of Man, at the time of writing, has so far remained unaffected, partly due to stringent measures to avoid use of the Manx countryside for leisure pursuits and cancellation of events. The introduction of foot and mouth to the island would be devastating to the island's agriculture industry. Visitors were, however, encouraged to come to the island for a range of entertainments laid on for them by the Department of Tourism and Leisure.
The week prior to the commencement of the festival there is action involving TT stars David Jefferies, Ian Lougher and John McGuinness at the TT grandstand. The pit lane is used for an egg and spoon race staged by new motorcycling magazine Two Wheels Only.
Monday 28 May - Friday 1 June 2001
TT competitor Richard "Milky" Quayle unveils the results of his winter project - a replica of George Formby's Shuttleworth Snap motorbike as seen in the legendary TT film "No Limit".
Safety messages appear around the TT course advising visitors to stay calm and ride on the left.
On the Thursday of what would have been practice week a marquee appears at the southern end of Douglas promenade and becomes Bushy's Brew Pub for the fortnight. This is where the majority of the action will take place during the 2001 festival. Adjacent to Bushy's is a crane offering bungee jumping and a simulator offering a virtual trip around the TT course with former winner Steve Hislop. A large screen is set up across the road from the marquee by local firm Duke Video, playing a selection of their videos and live feeds from Bushy's.
Duke Video also also organise track days at the Jurby circuit in the north of the island. These offer tuition to bikers from instructors and TT competitors such as David Jefferies, Jason Griffiths and Gary Radcliffe. The track days will also continue throughout the summer for both cars and motorcycles
.
A funfair is set up on the site of Douglas bus terminal, a somewhat controversial site. The fair includes a giant propeller with seats on either end called the Bomber as well as the usual fairground attractions.
A reverse bungee ball dominates the skyline next to Douglas war memorial on the promenade. This is flanked by two simulators providing virtual flights in fighter planes and Red Arrows.
As usual the medium wave frequency of Manx Radio becomes Tesco Radio TT but does not actually commence broadcasting until Thursday 2 June, rather than the beginning of practice week. The station offers commentary on the events which are taking place and re-runs of some classic TT races.
The Manx Museum hosts a photographic exhibition entitled "Tribute to Joey" in honour of 26 times TT winner Joey Dunlop who was killed while racing in Estonia less than a month after TT 2000. The Manx Treasury also issues a commemorative crown. Friday sees the launch of Joey's authorised biography at the Empress Hotel in Douglas for which his widow Linda is in attendance. This is followed by signing sessions by the author in selected shops in the capital during TT week.
Saturday 2 June 2001
The main event of the day is motorcycle racing at the Jurby circuit. The racing is hosted by Andreas Racing Association and includes some familiar riders such as Ryan Farquhar, Paul Hunt, Paul Dedman and Dave Madsen-Mygdal. Estimated attendance is around 4000 spectators with many eventually turned away at the gates by the police.
Street entertainment commences between the Villa Marina and the Bushy's Brew Pub site. This includes stilt walkers, aerobic dancers, stilted Elvises, Beatles, alien and musical characters, an 8 foot robot, street performers and static shows.
American band the Fun Lovin' Criminals perform a concert at the Villa Marina in Douglas attracting a crowd of 3400.
Sunday 3 June 2001
The bikers who have decided to come for the festival take to the TT course to emulate their heroes for the tradition known as Mad Sunday. The mountain section of the course is made one way and bikers are advised not to stop on the course except at designated stopping places. Some areas are fenced off to stop people straying from the road and onto agricultural land. A biker from Hull in England crashes at Sarah's Cottage on the course and a London man later crashed trying to avoid him. The former is described as critically ill while the latter receives relatively minor injuries.
Various motorbike owners club meetings take place around the island.
Beach motocross takes place on Peel beach in front of a large crowd of spectators.
The Streetfighter Challenge, which sees bikers bidding to be fastest over an eighth of a mile strip, takes place on Mooragh Promenade in Ramsey.
A 2 day tattoo convention commences including English, Irish and Scottish tattooists as well as competitions and entertainment at Studebakers nightclub in Douglas.
Irish music legend Van Morrison performs a concert at the Villa Marina in Douglas before an audience of 6200 people.
Monday 4 June 2001
A visiting biker from St Helens, England, is killed when he collides with a heavy goods vehicle at Cronk-y-voddy on the TT course.
The first Port Erin Day is held in the village. This includes a sand modelling competition, Punch and Judy shows, face painting, motocross, motorcycle stunt show, lifeboat demonstration and bands and culminates in a firework display. Also in Port Erin, the Isle of Man Schoolboys Trials Club holds a competition over 8 rocky sections at the southern of the beach.
A sidecar trial takes place on Laxey beach as well as further beach motocross on Peel beach.
Strippers appearing at Studebakers nightclub are told by undercover policemen to cool their act. The shows had begun the preceding Friday but had gradually become more raunchy, forcing the authorities to take action.
Tuesday 5 June 2001
The Ramsey Sprint takes place on Mooragh Promenade in Ramsey seeing bikers once again competing over the 8th of a mile time slip. The Red Arrows drop in to do an aerobatic display.
At 7pm the Red Arrows do a further display over Douglas Bay.
The TT Arena Trial is staged in the Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas. The competitors use all their balancing skills to make their way round 6 man-made sections. The event is won by Manxman Juan Knight.
A firework display takes place over Douglas at 11pm.
Wednesday 6 June 2001
The Purple Helmets motorcycle display team and stunt rider the Kangeroo Kid do a display in the evening at Onchan Stadium.
Thursday 7 June 2001
Beach motocross takes place on Douglas beach in the evening.
The Red Arrows perform their final display of the festival over Peel at mid-day.
Friday 8 June 2001
The day is, as usual, a Manx national holiday and is still referred to as Senior Race Day despite the fact no Senior Race is run.
The amount of attractions laid on ensured that TT 2001 was not totally ignored but hopes are high for TT 2002 and the Department of Tourism and Leisure promise that the festival will be bigger and better than ever before.
MANXMANIAC June 2001
