After what was described by MCN as the ‘best TT ever’ and comparisons being made with the epic Senior Race between Steve Hislop and Carl Fogarty in 1992, the Department of Tourism and Leisure has confirmed that the 2009 TT Programme will run to the same format as in 2008. Fans at the 2008 TT were treated to some of the closest racing in history culminating in the sensational Dainese Senior TT where the lead swapped eight times between Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald and eventual race winner John McGuinness. Meanwhile, Sidecar aficionados are still talking about the wheel to wheel dual between three wheel legends Dave Molyneux and Nick Crowe.
Bardney racer Ivan Lintin bagged a second place finish in the Manx GP Newcomers race on his very first visit to the Isle of Man races; he also completed the Junior Manx GP in 13th place and the Lightweight event in sixth position.
Maria Costello, Bering motorcycle clothing’s PR agent from Northamptonshire, is going back to the Manx Grand Prix this year with hopes of becoming the first female winner. Maria will be one of seven female racers competing on equal terms against the men at the Manx out of a total of 283 individual entries accepted by the Manx MCC, organisers of the meeting for the last 84 years. In 2005 Maria became the first female to stand on the podium in the history of the TT or Manx Grand Prix when she finished third in the Ultra Lightweight race on an RLR Honda RVF400.