Date set for IoW races

The Isle of Wight Road Races have set a date, set a venue and begun the consultation process in the next step to ensuring the event goes ahead without a hitch.

The IoW RR was announced shortly after the Diamond Races, another race set to take place on the island, was postponed until October 2021. Unlike the Diamond Races, which were to be time trials with a single rider against the clock, the IoW races will be mass start with up to 15 riders on the grid. The plan is for a 12.4-mile course through Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone using a long stretch of the Military Road. The paddock will be based at Atherfield with all the action taking place between April 20-23, 2022. The races are being organised by two-time British touring car champion James Kaye, as well as Lizze and Rob da Bank who are best known for organising music festival Bestival, which started on the IoW. “We felt it was sensible to wait until after national restrictions had been lifted in England before sharing this announcement,” says Kaye. “We’ve had two false starts already due to the pandemic and we wanted to avoid further disappointment.”

What follows next is a six-week public consultation process that started on August 1 to explain the format, timings and impact of the event to locals and businesses.

As well as showcasing motorcycle racing, the plan is for the races to also demonstrate the potential for environmental sustainability in motorsport.

“The Isle of Wight is an ideal location for us to pioneer the use of carbon-neutral fuels that are less harmful to our environment,” adds Kaye. “The Isle of Wight Road Races will be at the forefront of promoting future energy technology.”