TTXGP booted from Isle of Man TT races, electric motorcycle racing split worsens?

Photo courtesy Isle of Man DTL

In a shocking move the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure (DTL) has announced on Jan 28, 2010 that while there will be a clean emissions race at the 2010 TT, that race will not be run by TTXGP (eGrandPrix). Instead it will be named 'TT Zero' and will be run by ACU Events Ltd, using the latest FIM regulations. Describing TTXGP Ltd. as the promotor of the 2009 event, it's announced TTXGP will not be involved and instead the DTL will be the promotor just as they handle promotion of the other TT races.

TT Zero will feature riders who are also competing in the other TT classes. The one-lap race will be open to clean emission motorcycles and will take place on Wednesday, June 9th, at 4.30pm, following the Royal London 360 Superstock and Supersport Races. Regulations and entry forms are expected to be posted on the Isle of Man TT website on Jan 29. The Isle of Man Government has also created a £10,000 prize fund for the first TT Zero Race team to record a 100mph lap. The winning bike in last years race recorded a lap time of 25 minutes 53.5 seconds (87.434mph).

TTXGP is the brainchild of Azhar Hussain who has built, from scratch, a series of electric motorcycle and electric car races (TTXGP and EMXGP), an organization to establish electric vehicle racing rules, and a company to build electric motorcycles (Mavizen). Their first race was during the Isle of Man TT 2009 racing event. This year they have established a series of 14 electric motorcycle races (TTXGP) and 1 electric car race (EMXGP).

"The TTXGP race last year was a huge successes. We've put in a lot of effort and hard work to make the 2010 race even better, and are disappointed the Isle of Man TT has decided not to work with us this year." said Azhar Hussain and he is puzzled over DTL's decision saying, "This is the Isle of Man TT's decision, so you would have to ask them. We've done everything we could to make the Isle of Man TTXGP happen."

Given the ongoing TTXGP/FIM schism in electric motorcycle racing one wonders whether DTL's decision is part of the broader FIM effort to establish their e-Power race series. Nowhere is FIM or e-Power mentioned and while the TT races are conducted using FIM rules it is not under direct FIM sponsorship. In this case the decision appears to be entirely within the Isle of Man TT office

In DTL's announcement they say “We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with TTXGP Ltd and [DTL] would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work last year." One wonders why the partnership with TTXGP is not continued for this year, given their past successful partnership. It's not just the replacement of TTXGP with TT Zero, it is also the schedule of events during TT Week. TTXGP 2009 had a very prominent spot in the schedule, being held on the Friday as the lead-in event for the Senior TT race. TT Zero 2010 is currently scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, much less prominent. Given all the excitement and coverage of TTXGP 2009 is the DTL concerned about the gas bike races being overshadowed by electric bike races?

The effect of this move may be to splinter even further electric motorcycle racing. Where there had been one organization (TTXGP) there are now three (TTXGP, e-Power and TT Zero). This is a very young sport, which is at a critical time in its development where the rules and procedures need to be made by people who understand the differences between gas and electric motorcycles. This splintering may damage electric motorcycle racing and one wonders why this is happening.

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