Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
Malcolm Offline
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Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
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Consultation on Road Races Bill begins

Public views sought

Current laws said to be old-fashioned


Quote:‘The Department of Economic Development believes Sunday racing will support the visitor economy’

Phil Gawne MHK

The Department of Infrastructure says it is seeking to update key elements of legislation ‘to ensure that motorsport festivals continue to flourish and make an important contribution to the island’s economy and culture’.

It says the Road Races Bill 2015 aims to better reflect the needs of event organisers, participants and fans by reducing bureaucracy, enhancing safety and increasing the period over which road racing can take place.

The proposals will also remove an overlap between two current pieces of legislation by restricting the use of the Road Races Act to powered vehicles and the Highway Act to other types of entertainment such as bicycle races, soap box derbies and carnivals.

John Houghton MHK, the politician at the Department of Infrastructure Member with responsibility for highway services, said:

‘The Isle of Man is widely regarded as the road racing capital of the world and events such as the TT festival attract a global audience of millions and contribute to the growth of our economy.

‘It is important to protect our road racing heritage by keeping it relevant to the modern world.’

He added:

‘The Road Races Act 1982 enables the Department of Infrastructure to hand over parts of the highway network to the organisers of racing events.

‘Over the past 33 years the legislation has become increasingly out of step with the requirements of the general public, the department, event organisers and health and safety standards.

‘Change is needed and I would urge people to have their say on this important aspect of Manx life via the consultation.’

The proposed modernisation would relax the current restrictions on Sunday racing.

The DoI says that evidence suggests that allowing motorsport festivals to take place at weekends would increase visitor numbers and boost the Manx economy.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:

‘Thirty-three years ago, when the current legislation was written, Sunday was considered a day of peace, free from events and commercial entertainment.

‘Since then, our culture and expectations have changed dramatically.

‘Restaurants, cafés, shops and pubs are open on Sundays and people increasingly travel to events at weekends. The Department of Economic Development believes Sunday racing will support the visitor economy, although organisers would still be expected to work with affected communities.’

He added:

‘We believe the time is right to bring forward new legislation that will continue the legacy of road racing in the Isle of Man.’

The draft Bill and consultation documents are available on the government website here and people are encouraged to comment on a wide range of issues, including event management and safety, the appointment and powers of marshals, prohibited spectator areas and Sunday racing.

Views can be emailed to doiconsultation@gov.im or posted to Jeffrey Robinson, Director of Highway Services, Department of Infrastructure, Sea Terminal, Douglas, IM1 2RF.

The closing date for submissions is Thursday, September 17.




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07-08-2015, 11:44 AM
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Malcolm Offline
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RE: Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
Sunday racing being considered

There’s a sporting six from the Department of Infrastructure – which is posing questions about the future of road racing.

A public consultation is now underway about new road-racing laws being considered by government.

In it, the consultation asks six questions: from whether road racing should continue in future to whether people should be jailed instead of fined for going onto closed roads.

The proposed Road Races bill would update laws which date back more than thirty years.

In the consultation document, available on the government’s website gov.im, the Department of Infrastructure asks a series of questions.

It says it’s considering allowing Sunday racing – outlawed under 1982 laws, but they didn’t take into account the growth in Sunday trading by local businesses.

There are also questions about the powers of marshals and the number of prohibited areas around the Mountain Circuit.

Those who breach the law, meanwhile, could face up to six months in prison if they endanger others.

You have until Thursday, September 17 to submit your comments to the department.



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08-08-2015, 11:51 AM
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Promor Offline
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RE: Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RoadRacesBill

Link to the consultation document
10-08-2015, 12:47 PM
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Smokin Haddock Racing Offline
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RE: Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
Sunday a day of peace? I guess that is carefully worded code for the Sabbath. Practising Christians are now in the minority so no need to pander to them; however, there are lots of churches on the course whom provide a great service (not in the religious sense) to the racing community. Not an easy one, so perhaps roads close after morning service. Does the Island have a strong religious community?
11-08-2015, 11:26 AM
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Alfie Noakes Offline
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RE: Should it be easier to hold road races on Sundays?
Not sure what the point of this is or where it's aimed at/leading to. As far as I can remember whenever the need has arisen for Sunday racing due to inclement weather on Saturday we have had a full distance race programme on the Sunday. One in particular had a govt bod parking his tipper truck on the approach to Barregarrow because he hadn't noticed we were racing on Sunday. Surely they can't just be thinking "If we race on Sunday we don't have the issue of office workers not being able to get home". Is the same Sunday religious issue the reason that the NW200 is never run on a Sunday because of bad weather on the Saturday ?.
11-08-2015, 06:39 PM
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