'TT Lock-In' - Eight days of exclusive digital content coming June 2020 from IOMTTRACES.COM

The Department for Enterprise, promoters of the Isle of Man TT Races, has announced a ‘TT Lock-In’ - an eight day TT digital entertainment programme in June.

Whilst the races are not going ahead this year, TT fans can look forward to eight evenings of exclusive TT themed entertainment from the past, present and future, hosted by Vlogger Chris Pritchard and double TT Race winner Steve Plater.

Streamed from Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th June via the Official TT website iomttraces.com, Facebook page and YouTube channel, ‘TT Lock-In’ blends some of the greatest solo and sidecar moments from the track in the TT’s long illustrious history with live interviews, personal insights and revelations from the TT Races’ biggest stars. Fans will also be able to experience a world first; the ‘Virtual TT powered by Motul’ - live action gaming featuring some of the biggest names in the TT competing alongside experienced international gamers.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, commented:

‘Following the decision to cancel this year’s TT races due to the coronavirus pandemic, we wanted to be able to provide some of the traditional TT atmosphere for everyone to experience across the world. I couldn’t be happier to be keeping fans engaged by bringing the action of the TT to their homes and introducing this already world-renowned sport to an even greater audience with the ’Virtual TT powered by Motul’ which will be sure to keep fans returning to the Island for years to come.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity for the Isle of Man and it is great to see colleagues from Digital Isle of Man and Isle of Man Motorsport collaborating with experts from across the Island’s industry to deliver what is certain to be an exciting week of events.

‘The event is a testament to the innovation that continues to evolve in the Isle of Man and this collaboration has seen the creation of something truly unique for our Island.’

The ‘Ultimate TT Races presented by Bennetts’ series turns the clock back on the greatest recent and not so recent races, whilst in depth features and documentaries on teams, riders and record breaking laps will be provided by ‘TT Lock-In’.

Broadcast live via the ‘TT Lock-In’ virtual studio, Chris and Steve will be joined by a ‘who’s-who’ of TT racing to provide their own unique views and personal insights to the series. Fans will have the chance to submit their own questions and messages for John McGuinness, Dean Harrison, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Rob McElnea, Peter Hickman, Brian Reid and Cameron Donald as well as multi-sidecar TT race winners Ben Birchall and Dave Molyneux.

Fans will also be provided with TT racing of another kind. The ‘Virtual TT powered by Motul’ will see eight TT heroes getting to grips with a new challenge, by tackling the familiar course from the comfort of their own homes via the newly released game, Isle of Man TT: Ride on the Edge 2. Among the line-up is local racer, Conor Cummins, who will be taking part alongside many other recognisable riders, including Peter Hickman and Davey Todd. Each of the TT stars will team up with an experienced gamer from around the world to compete for the title of ‘Virtual TT 2020 Champion’. Joining the roster are three local gaming enthusiasts, Sam Tipper, Louis Porter and Aaron Hislop, son of racing legend, Steve Hislop.

TT rider liaison officer, and former TT Race winner, Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle will provide his unique insight into racing the TT Mountain Course and how best to prepare to race the famous Course.

In depth features and documentaries on teams and riders include a look back at the lap record breaking 2018 TT - ‘One-Three-Five: Breaking the Barrier’, a tribute to one of the Greatest riders in TT history – ‘the David Jefferies Story’ and a celebration of the career of the 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness. The spotlight will also be turned on one of the TT’s most successful Race teams - ‘TAS: TT Winning Formula’.

There will also be a digital version of the popular TT paddock attraction, the ‘Sundown Cinema’, with a screening of ‘3 Wheeling’ – the feature-length film that follows the high drama of the 2016 Sidecar TT Races while Arai take us behind the scenes with the renowned Italian Helmet designer Aldo Drudi, whose creations feature in the limited edition Official TT Helmet collection every year.

A complete schedule for the free ‘TT Lock-In’ can be found on the TT website, and fans can watch via iomttraces.com and the TT Races Official Facebook page and Isle of Man TT Races Official YouTube channel.