Efforts by enthusiasts on the Isle of Wight to hold some sort of equivalent to the TT in 2021 have been postponed for the second time pending local council elections on May 6.

Having decided earlier in the year that the big event, the Diamond races, should be postponed until 2022, it was proposed to have a ‘trial’ run on the course later this year.

But with elections looming, and despite a fair degree of local support, the Isle of  Wight Council chickened out and turned the application down.

But not all is lost and the organisers remain confident about  next year while for Northern fans there is a feast of racing planned for Scarborough. Unlike the inability of the Isle of Wight Council to come to a positive decision, Scarborough Council is giving its full backing to four meetings on the Oliver’s Mount circuit commencing with the Spring Cup on May 22/23.

Race organiser Andy Hayes said: “We will be limited, for the first weekend at least, to a crowd of two and a half thousand which is what we got last year and still managed to break even  on the event itself. We have got Davey Todd and one or two new stars with, possibly, one or two Irish riders for the later meetings who would be very welcome.”

From the Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart, who  is facing local elections on May 6, said:”I know there are many on the Island who have expressed support for an event of this nature  but equally there are residents who have significant concerns and these should all be considered and addressed if and when a formal proposal with the necessary endorsement of the ACU and SAG is received by the council.”

Fellow councillor Steve Hastings was quoted as saying there had been “a lack of consultation by the organisers.”
 
But the leaders of Isle of Wight Road Races, Paul Sanford and James Kay, remain confident about their Diamond event next year and are quoted as saying: "We’ve used the past six months to build important relationships locally and in the world of motorcycle racing. We’re determined to keep the Isle of Wight firmly on the UK’s motorsport map.”

Meantime, events for Scarborough are confirmed as: Spring Cup May 22/223; Barry Sheene Classic June 26/27; Oliver’s Mount Festival July 31/Aug 1; International Gold Cup September 11/12.