Robin Miller: Good times ahead on the roads

This past seven days may go down as one of the most uplifting in recent years if not in road racing history as a whole.

After two years of staring at a blank calendar, with certain notable exceptions, it has been more or less confirmed that the TT, the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix will be going ahead in 2022.

And an announcement is due to be made in the coming week concerning the future of the Manx Grand Prix and the Classic TT, which as forecast in bikesportnews last month under the heading “TT improves but Manx and Classic get stretched”, will see changes but ensure the long term sustainability of the Manx due to celebrate it’s 99th birthday this year.

Scarborough promoter Andy Hayes is also confident that he will have a programme for the coming year although negotiations with the local council, great supporters of racing at Olivers Mount, are still ongoing.

Rebuilding of the infrastructure, required by health and safety laws, costing somewhere in excess of half a million and born by both the council and the promoter, are a major discussion point but Mr Hayes said:”The prospects are good, I am very confident but can’t name a programme yet.”

However, prospects for the Isle of Wight Road Races due to go ahead in April are apparently not so positive. It looks like discussions involving the Isle of Wight Council, the promoters and the ACU on the issue of a race permit will not be finalised in time, something forecast by bikesportnews.com two months ago under the heading “Isle of Wight races face increasing red tape”.

In any event promoter James Kaye remains positive for the future, on the reception he has received and the benefits it will bring to the island.