DAVID Cretney has claimed ex-motorcyle Grand Prix rider Wayne Gardner's comments about the TT are "in places ill informed".
The culture, community and leisure minister, often referred to as the Minister of Fun, is no stranger to the Mountain Course as he is a former Manx Grand Prix competitor.
Mr Gardner, who won the 1987 500cc Grand Prix World Championship had called for the event to be banned following two deaths at this year's TT.
On his website he labelled the Mountain course a "death trap", claiming inexperienced riders are attracted by the "substantial" prize money on offer and it only continues because of the income it brings to the Isle of Man.
He said: "The problem is the substantial prize money on offer. Not surprisingly, riders who don't go so well on closed circuits in the UK see a great opportunity to head over and collect quite a lot of money. To me, that's insanity. It's just too big a carrot for inexperienced riders."
However Mr Cretney said: "Whilst Wayne is clearly entitled to his views they are in places ill informed.
"Unlike his comments about the competitors the facts are that the quality and depth of field has improved substantially since I engaged Paul Phillips as motorsports development manager.
"Significant investment has been put in to safety improvements whilst recognising that the TT circuit is for 48 weeks open public roads.
"There is no prize money at all for Manx Grand Prix competitors and indeed when compared with most other sports the competitors in the TT are not motivated principally by any financial return.
"For those who compete in road racing which is an entirely different discipline than circuit racing it is the challenge and excitement in a world of 'sameness' where certain individuals seek more than the 'norm'.
"Like those who wish to take on challenges such as mountain climbing and other dangerous sports we must do all we can to facilitate ongoing safety improvements but recognise that competitors in increasing numbers and quality wish to participate with their eyes open.
"As a former competitor in the MGP I fully understand that motivation and recognise that competitors are not forced to participate because the event is not part of a World Championship but is the pinnacle of road racing and that is why we should continue to promote it."
Mr Gardner, who has never raced in the TT but said he had a chance to learn the course in the 80s, has faced criticism from readers of motorsport website Crash.net who hit out at his comments.
While he might not be a fan of the TT, modern MotoGP stars Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Loris Capirossi have visited the TT in the past couple of years and have expressed their admiration for those who take part.
There is no doubt a large number of riders have been killed over the years at the TT and with it being a road course the dangers are obvious.
However the claim "inexperienced" riders are attracted to the event for the prize money is something which many TT enthusiasts and riders would disagree with.
A number of the top TT riders - including John McGuinness, Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins, Steve Plater and Michael Rutter - have all excelled in British Championship events over the years and have a wealth of experience on the roads and short circuits.
Likewise there are a number of 'real' road racing specialists who mainly just compete in the road events who have countless years of tackling such events behind them.
And it is highly unlikely any "inexperienced" rider would get any share of substantial prize money as it is widely recognised it takes a few years to learn the course.
New Zealand rider Paul Dobbs. who died following a crash in the second Supersport Race at this year's event, loved the Isle of Man and the TT so much that his funeral service was conducted in the TT Grandstand pit lane before his body was taken for one last lap of the course, accompanied by family, fans, those involved with the TT and motorcycle riders.
