Classic TT aims to reverse post-Covid visitor dip

In 2019 visitor numbers reached a high of 16,019

The return of the Classic TT has been designed reverse a post-pandemic slump in visitors to road racing on the Isle of Man in August, organisers have said.

Introduced in 2013, the brand was scrapped by the Manx government after a review in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic but is set to return alongside the 2025 Manx Grand Prix (MGP).

A peak of 16,019 people visited the event in 2019 but that had dropped to 14,229 last year after being run solely under the MGP banner since 2022.

The government's head of motorsport Paul Phillips said while the three-year return of the Classic TT would provide a "spectacle", it aimed to boost the economy by growing visitor numbers beyond pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Phillips said: "The event exists to boost the economy, it is funded by several million pounds of public money and it exists to generate a benefit to the visitor economy."

As part of the reintroduction, the event has been expanded to a 13-day format from its truncated 9-day schedule introduced in 2022.

He said early indications on accommodation and ferry travel showed that bookings "were up" for 2025, but it was too early to say to "what degree".

Organisers were "optimistic" that "over a number of years it could return to pre-pandemic levels".

It was hoped the figures would "ultimately surpass" the previous peak in order to "ensure the financial sustainability" of the event in future, he said.

Announcing the return of the Classic TT late last year, the Department for Enterprise (DfE) said the "strategic intervention" was designed to "encourage additional visitors to the latter part of the event".

As there had been a "significant increase in global interest" in the TT the move looked to "leverage this momentum", it added.

Paul Phillips said the return of the Classic TT highlights the mountain circuit's 'unique heritage'

Wednesday evening sees the start of qualifying for the Classic TT classes, with racing on classic and vintage machinery scheduled for 27 and 29 August.

Mr Phillips said the paddock would become "a home to a whole lot of really interesting bikes and memorabilia" during the event.

"At TT the machines are kind-of similar, whereas at Classic TT there's a huge range of motorcycles from decades of motorcycling racing," he said.

Seeing "great bikes from yesteryear being ridden to their maximum" was a "spectacle" and a "really important" part of the competition, he continued.

But with the mountain circuit's "unique heritage" and there were also "lots of stories from over 100 years of racing that the Classic TT can tell", such as motorcycle legend Joey Dunlop's final three wins on the island 25 years ago, he said.

That feat is set to be showcased in a pop-up exhibition featuring Joey's race leathers, helmets, and trophies at the Mercury Club located near the TT Grandstand.

And the milestone will be marked again on the final day of the festival when Joey's nephew and all-time TT race win record holder Michael Dunlop will ride a replica of his uncle's 2000 Honda SP1 in a tribute lap.

"That will be big moment, it will be special," Mr Phillips said.