The government of the Isle of Man has canceled this year’s annual Isle of Man TT, originally scheduled for May 30- June 13, as a precautionary measure against the worldwide spreading of the coronavirus. The legendary motorcycle time trials race has attracted thousands of pro racers and fans from across the globe since its inception in 1907. The two-week racing event has only been canceled one other time in its long history, in 2001 due to the government’s concerns over an outbreak of “foot-and-mouth” disease in the neighboring United Kingdom.

According to a statement the IOM government issued on the 16th, the decision was made “following confirmation the Island has stepped up its measures to protect the population against the pandemic” and to “protect the Island’s critical care services.” Laurence Skelly MHK, the Minister for Enterprise, stated, “The decision to cancel has not been taken lightly and all options including postponement and delaying the decision have all been considered in detail.” As of the 16th, the small island nation has reported no positive cases of the coronavirus among its population.

The IOMTT is just one more in a series of race events that have been impacted by the spread of the global pandemic. MotoGP, WSBK, Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoAmerica, among others have issued statements regarding schedule adjustments, postponements, and cancellations in recent days. In the worldwide effort to get out ahead of the spreading virus, more announcements might still be forthcoming.
Hopefully, all will begin to return to normal in a month or two. But no one really knows yet, according to the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. Caution appears to be the better part of wisdom for now.
 
Road Dirt staff
 
*Information provided by Isle of Man government and IOMTT.com
*Photos copyright IOMTT.com