AN APPLICATION for an order to hold a world-class motorcycle racing event on the Island in April next year — the Isle of Wight Road Races — will go before the local authority Cabinet in the new year.

A formal application for a Motor Race Order (MRO) was received by the Isle of Wight Council from the event's organisers this week.

The event, which aims to attract some of motorcycling's leading riders, has been pencilled in for April 20-24.

The Isle of Wight Road Races, formerly the Diamond Races — which was originally scheduled to take place this month, but shelved earlier this year amid uncertainty around the pandemic — will be run as an event similar to that of the globally popular Isle of Man TT races.

Isle of Wight County Press: The proposed 12.4-mile course for the Isle of Wight Races.The proposed 12.4-mile course for the Isle of Wight Races.

The organisers of the Island event have a wealth of experience organising the Isle of Man TT and believe that its model can be successfully replicated on the Island on a 12.4-mile course through Chale, Chale Green, Kingston, Shorwell, Brighstone and along the Military Road.

The event has been met with some opposition from residents living along or close to the proposed circuit.

As the Island's highway authority, the Isle of Wight Council is required to consider and determine the application, with a report due to be brought before the Cabinet early next year for a decision on whethter or not to grant an MRO.

Cllr Phil Jordan, the council's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: "At this stage, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment on a live application.

Isle of Wight County Press: Isle of Wight Council cabinet member, Cllr Phil Jordan.Isle of Wight Council cabinet member, Cllr Phil Jordan.

"There will, however, be a period of consultation, when people will have the opportunity to have their say on the proposal, with further details announced in due course."

In addition to the MRO, the council will also be required to consider a temporary traffic regulation order for the road closure. 

"Legislation dictates that where a closure will remain in place for longer than three days — and the council was minded to approve the application — further approval must also be sought from the Secretary of State for Transport at least four weeks before the start of the event," an Isle of Wight Council spokesman added.