At today's sitting of the Tynwald the Hon. Member for Douglas North, Mr Houghton MHK raised the following question to the Hon John Shimmin MHK, Minister for Economic Development –
 
In relation to the car crash at Sulby Bridge when the roads were closed for TT motorcycle racing why a number of motor vehicles were racing along the circuit; whether the vehicles had rally type roll cages; what high performance car racing experience each driver had; and whether each driver was insured for racing on the TT circuit?

John Shimmin responded as follows:

The Hon Member for Douglas North refers to the incident involving a Subaru demonstration vehicle at Sulby Bridge on Wednesday 5th July.

To clarify the position no cars were racing on the TT course. Cars that are allowed on the course are official course inspection vehicles and, in this instance demonstration Subaru vehicles, driven by drivers supplied by Subaru as part of their sponsorship activation package. No cars were permitted to race on the TT course during TT2013.

Moving on to the second part of the question official course cars and demonstration vehicles are not equipped as rally cars and do not, therefore have roll cages fitted.

Turning to the third part of the question which concerns drivers of official course cars, these drivers are appointed by the Auto Cycle Union (more commonly referred to as the ACU) on the basis that they have the necessary experience and driving qualifications to carry out such a function. As a minimum, all drivers must have an Institute of Advanced Motorists qualification and have a good knowledge of the TT mountain course.  The journalist driving the vehicle involved in the incident at sulby had United States equivalent qualifications and car racing experience but was not familiar with the TT course. The Sulby Bridge incident has already been reviewed by both the ACU Clerk of the Course and my Department’s Motorsport Team. As a result of this review in future all drivers will be required to have knowledge of the TT course before they drive on closed roads. Drivers will continue to be subject to the approval of the ACU before being allowed on the course.

Turning to the final part of the question which relates to insurance cover. Driving which is not racing, takes place on closed roads and is covered by the ACU’s insurance. In addition, as the car that was involved in the Sulby Bridge incident was a Subaru demonstration vehicle incorporated into an official VIP course lap this was separately covered by insurance provided by the sponsor. No vehicle is allowed on the course without appropriate insurance cover.