The Isle of Man TT’s huge manual scoreboard, an historic feature operated by lots of Boy Scouts scurrying about behind the scenes, met its demise in 2018, after structural issues necessitated demolition. Since post-Covid revival of TT racing in 2022, temporary electronic displays have served as replacements, at a cost of around £30,000 a year, and the debate on a long-term solution is ongoing and currently unresolved – as throwback sentimentalists argue for some sort of Boy Scout role retention and instant gratification irrespective of available finance.
In the real world, a truly 21st-century design incorporating permanent large-scale screens, including a live TV-streaming feed, is set to keep TT Grandstand ticket holders and pit-lane support crews well informed. And presumably an element of this will also address the much larger Fan Zone which has grown up adjacent to the grandstand at recent events. Planning permission is already in place but, pertinently, the required budget isn’t.
The Manx government’s Department for Enterprise motorsport unit has responsibility for development. However, in that context, enterprise minister Tim Johnston recently admitted he cannot commit to a new scoreboard array by 2025, with costs likely to exceed £1m once construction gets underway. Therefore the project will remain on hold while the DfE seeks a significant commercial funding input. And therein lie obvious promotional opportunities for the UK motorcycle trade and industry.
Considering the TT is a veritable jewel in the crown of British motorcycle sport, it’s remarkable how thin industry participation has become. Only Honda consistently puts money where its mouth is, providing a fleet of Fireblades for TT travelling marshals, plus other course vehicles. Time for fellow manufacturers and more leading aftermarket brands to step up to the plate too?