Great news for motorcycle racing fans; the Isle of Wight have announced their plans to hold a road race meeting on closed roads there in October next year.

Since HM Government changed the laws regarding motorsport on UK public roads two years ago, motorcycle racing can now take place as they have done for years in the Isle of Man and Ireland.

The Isle of Wight tourist officials have been working feverishly since then to organise an event over there, being well aware of the massive boost to the local economy an event like this could bring to the island.

The planned circuit, to be known as the Diamond Road Races, is 12.5 miles long, encompassing the picturesque villages of Chale, Kingston and Showell and a fast five-mile coastal section.

Having seen video footage of that section, I'm sure speeds of 200mph will be easily attained by modern Superbikes.

Gary Thompson MBE, clerk of the course for the TT, Steve Plater, former TT winner and now TV presenter, and former Honda race chief Neil Tuxworth are all involved, bringing their wealth of experience to the project.

Two practice days are planned on the Thursday and Friday prior to racing that will take place on the Saturday and Sunday.

The meeting will at first cater for superbikes, Supersport and lightweight machines and a sidecar demonstration, with the possibility of electric bikes being added to the programme in 2022.

The exact dates are to be announced after the 2021 BSB calendar has been published, as the organisers are hoping to attract many of the TT and British Superbike stars and riders and fans from northern Europe.

The island boasts more hotels and accommodation than the Isle of Man, so finding a room should not be difficult.

Barrow-based Graham Wilcock, who provides bikes and support for Manxman Mike Evans, is seriously considering supporting this inaugural event. Watch this space.

Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, surely it's now time to start looking at the Isle of Walney as a northern venue?

* There was some encouraging news this week for the creditors of Norton Motorcycles, who went into receivership in February, owing millions following the mismanagement by CEO Stuart Garner.

His 'statement of affairs' in regard to Norton Motorcycles UK Ltd recently published, indicates there is enough funding to pay back all of the creditors, including customers who had placed deposits on new machines.

Former employee John Russel, now acting CEO, has assured all outstanding orders will be honoured by new owners Indian company TVR. Russel himself was one of the main bidders when the company came up for sale.

The new owners are already looking to expand and are already advertising for 15 new roles to be filled, and have big plans to go racing again.

TT legend John McGuinness may now get paid his £60,000 contract fees and bonus money he's still owed too.

* The roar of classic scrambles machines returns to South Cumbria next Sunday at the County Showground near Crooklands when the Westmorland Motor Club put on their annual Nostalgia Scramble for machines of bygone times.

The noise from classic four stroke marques such as Ariel, Triumph, BSA, Velocette and Tribsa, will be mingled with the familiar sounds of screaming two stroke powered machines like Greeves, Villiers, DOT and many of the early Japanese twin shock models.

Barrow`s Martin Reid is competing on an early twin shock Yamaha and Mike Walker is swapping the tarmac for dirt this weekend to race a 250cc DOT.

I was really looking forward to seeing and hearing these iconic machines in action again, but due to the present Covid restrictions it's competitors only and no spectators can be admitted. Ah well, maybe next year?

* A leading spokesman for the Motorcycle Action Group, who do so much campaigning for safer conditions for motorcyclists, is understandably outraged at the lack of consideration given to motorcyclists in the latest review of the Highway code announced last week.

The consultation, titled 'Review of the Highway Code to improve safety for horse riders cyclists and pedestrians' makes no reference to the most statistically at risk and most vulnerable road users, the motorcycling fraternity.

MAG`s director of campaigns and political engagement Colin Brown was quoted recently as saying: "This is a shocking demonstration of the lack of care and welfare of the most vulnerable road user group on the road.

"We will not be silent until our right for a safe road environment is recognised."

He`s calling on the department to immediately revise the wording to include motorcycle users.