TT inspires Japanese festival

A TT visit in 2006 has led to the emergence of a new road race on the Japanese island of Miyakejima.

It's the brainchild of the Governor of Tokyo who visited the TT with his organising party to see what was needed to hold such an event.

The Island was hit by a volcanic eruption in 1983 and again in 2000, which forced the evacuation of all of the inhabitants. It was five years before they were allowed to return and the race is seen as an ideal platform to establish the Island as a tourist attraction.

This year's event, scheduled for November the 16th-18th, will be a motorcycle festival including a sprint race, a drag race and a demonstration of bikes.

The event is being backed by Welsh star Ian Lougher and the late Jun Maeda's interpreter and race manager Asa will act as a councillor.