Research shows big rise in visitor numbers

Motorsport chiefs on the Island say they're encouraged at figures which show the Island's road racing events are winning a new generation of fans.

A survey by Island-based Research Offshore says 30 per cent of visitors to the TT and Festival of Motorcycling this year were attending for the first time.  

That suggests a marketing campaign to increase interest in the races around the world has proved a success.

The figures show 42,000 people attended this year's TT, 11,000 more than five years ago.

Fifteen thousand biking fans came to the 2015 Festival of Motorcycling,  68 per cent more than attended the MGP in 2009.

David Cretney is responsible for motorsport at the Department of Economic Development: