While road racing fans in Ireland and the North of England can scarcely believe their ears at the likely return of the Ulster Grand Prix with backing from the Northern Ireland Executive, the ‘cabinet’ of the Isle of Wight council are reluctant to give a verdict on the application from the Isle of Wight Road Races to run a similar event in April next year.

In what seems to be a classic example of kicking the tin down the road, they insist on waiting until ‘early’ next year to respond to a formal application for a Motor Race Order (MRO) which they received last month.

Councillor Phil Jordan, responsible for transport and infrastructure, said he could not comment on a ‘live’ application adding: ”There will, however, be a period of consultation when people will have the opportunity to have their say on the proposal with further details announced in due course.”

A council spokesman added: ”In addition to the MRO the council will also be required to consider a temporary traffic regulation order for the road closure. Legislation dictates that where a closure will remain in place for longer than three days - and the council was minded to approve the application - further approval must also be sought from the Secretary of State for Transport at least four weeks before the start of the event.”

Enthusiasts behind the Isle of Wight Road Races, previously known as the Diamond Races, have been working on a proposition to run an event over a 12.4 -mile course for almost two years.

After a number of setbacks, including a certain amount of internal friction, the current leader ex- car racer James Kaye had reached a point where a date in April next year seemed plausible. It followed consultation with local people, approval from the ACU and advice from TT winner and Supersport champion Steve Plater.

But, not surprisingly, not everyone on an island where many people go to retire, are in favour and the council want further consultation before reaching a decision. That leaves precious little time to prepare for a big event, road closures and all, to make the proposed dates of April 22/24 plausible.

There is no doubt that road racing fans would love to see such an event take place. And a great deal of interest has been expressed. But the organisers have yet to go public on funding for the event, which includes preparing the course which goes through several villages, and whip up interest among teams, especially those involved in road racing, in a venture which would bring it to the south and be a real plus for road racing.

The TT has put forward ambitious plans to revive and reshape that great event for 2022 and 2023 but has been less forthcoming about the Classic which runs alongside the Manx GP.

Irish racing is set for a strong revival with the UlsterGP back on the calendar. Scarborough will survive with backing from the local authority to invest in the infrastructure around the pits which is clearly unfit for purpose. They have been very supportive in the past, recognising that racing at Oliver’s Mount is a great attraction much appreciated by the local tourist industry.

So having a new venue, especially on the Isle of Wight which is much more accessible than the Isle of Man, would provide a great boost. But the challenge is huge and the first is to persuade the locals, who accept tourism and the thousands who come to the
pop music festival, that it is in their economic interest to do it and put up with three days of traffic interruption.

And the council who still seem quite nervous about the idea and certainly haven’t volunteered any funding should look at the value to tourism recognised by by governments in the Isle of Man, Ulster and Scarborough.

A lot of energy has been put into the project but challenges still remain, the principal one being the IoW council and itsreaction to local opinion; certainty on funding for something which will probably cost £1m plus to stage; gaining credibility with the racing industry; and the auld enemy - time.