Isle of Wight Diamond Races: Circuit Guide | On board lap!

A day after the Isle of Wight Diamond Races (all set for October 2021) was announced, BikeSocial's Steve Rose and regular contributor, Simon Hargreaves, scooted over to take on the 12.4-mile Chale Circuit and become the outright lap record holders - at law-abiding speeds of course. Here, the pair offer an #onboard lap with commentary and plenty of 'wow's' - count them.
#IsleofWight
#DiamondRaces
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[@malcolmrann6274]

This race will be good for Isle of Wight tourism. Great venue. Could be the start of a fantastic event. Good luck with the organisation.

[@xaraxania]

I live here inside the circuit and i can't wait, i ride that route often and yes the corner with the house in front of you is very tight, and so is the Brighstone hairpin, and the milly road as we call it gets really windy. see you next year guys :D

[@1969triumph]

Great Vid of the proposed track.I for one , are keeping my fingers crossed it happens. Living in West Sussex, it's only a small distance away.

[@glenwhyte2555]

Snap 👍

[@robburton8462]

Great video guys! As an Isle of Wight resident i really hope this goes ahead. I was a little surprised at the course when i first saw it as it is so tight and narrow and i much prefer other roads to drive in my Porsche. However having seen your video i feel the chosen course will be a great challenge for the riders, and as a result a real spectacle for us fans. I'll be keeping all my fingers crosse this gets the green light and the full support from the island!

[@bearonatinybike]

Cheers, Simon. I’ve been reading a lot about the event and listening to you and Mufga talking about it on FEC, and I’m also bang up for it. Great to actually see the proposed circuit. ✊

[@jimoreton]

As most motorcycle enthusiasts will know, the Isle of Man TT has been running for over 100 years which predates any residents and is now a part of their heritage. Getting this type of race approved onto an island which has an elderly population (it's not called God's Waiting Room without reason) with quite a few residents who retired there for the peace and quiet will not be easy. As you were coming into Shorwell (Shor'ell) you said that the organisers would need "a lot of buy-in from the local residents". You're quite correct there. Who is going to organise and bankroll the local liaison with the residents? As can be seen in the video (nicely done by the way) there are quite a few private residences directly on the route from Chale church to Brighstone village so a huge task ahead. In my opinion, the better and more scenic route would have been from the car park at Freshwater Bay, up the Military Road with it's breath taking views towards Brook (a fast section with some bends). Left at Brook lifeboat station, through Brook village to Chessel (a slower section). Left at Chessel onto the Middle Road past Tapnell Farm towards Afton (a fast section).Left at Afton and back to Freshwater Bay. This route has two fast and wide sections with excellent viewpoints for spectators plus there are a lot less residents to appease.

[@MarkJohnson-jc9tn]

Imagine going back in time to the first Manx TT. Well, this could easily be the start of something as big as that, and the Isle of Wight is very sunny, with a good weather record. I love riding that military road, from Blackgang chine to freshwater and back again. Brilliant!

[@thetaleof2wheels.947]

Already is a road race on the mainland, Oliver's Mount at Scarborough. First race of the year is next weekend for the Barry Sheene classic.

[@paulratcliffe4403]

This will be absolutely fantastic for the Isle of Wight, not only there but the neighbouring area too like Lymington, Lyndhurst to name a couple. I've been waiting yrs for something like this to happen, being a Isle of Man TT fan. Now we could have something just as big down south. 👍🏍️

[@drn4774]

Please go ahead!!!!! the course goes by my nan's house!

[@modelman2435]

I'm not into bikes but this will be incredible I love the island I love motor sports and I will be there to watch. We spend thousands every year coming to the island and next year it looks like we will spend even more (I'm there in June). Make this happen you won't regret it.

[@jond597]

Cannot wait at all!! I’m for sure down for it, if it goes all ahead. Keep up the good work and see you about if you’re on the island🙋🏽‍♂️

[@tazmunster7646]

Real shame that the plan doesn't include the Military Road all the way from Freshwater Bay and include the Middle Road that leads out to there.

[@stephenmorse342]

That would be super fast..!! Can you imagine the cliff section out of Freshwater down to Hanover Bay?? I don't even like driving up and over there especially to Freshwater with the cliff edge on the left!! :)

[@wetkneehouston6293]

Give it a few years and hopefully they'll branch out the circuit that way

[@A10WUK]

Hopefully after a couple of years it will get extended 👍🏍

[@robhab1]

Brilliant I live here and we all hope this happens, we ride those roads all the time, massive support from island bikers and tourism. Seems a minority against it including our wonderful, Tory MP.....

[@heardashot]

Ireland looking in!! Yes, there's a few of us watching this closely! Very much looking forward to this. Best of luck there fellow!

[@paulrumbold2436]

Best of luck guys , it’s about time , can’t wait for this . Going to be amazing for sure . I am amazed that this is it going to mature ? The government should pay for this . Keep our country unique . I want the world to be jealous of our islands . And that tractor driver is no different to the ones in Hampshire . Bring it on . I’m all over it . Make it a tax haven too .

[@debbie5925]

We live on the route and I’m between excited and terrified

[@wetkneehouston6293]

Dont be scared, it's all very professionally done by top rank people involved in the isle of man tt. Safety and cooperation with local residents is top of thier list. This will be brilliant for the island, it will make the island world famous and bring tons more tourists every year and the small businesses on the island are going to benefit so much by this, very much needed after this past year

[@michaelnedsmar9106]

Im lucky enough to live on the island and like most residents look forward to it

[@benjaminstreet974]

Awesome vid! Cheers. FYI it’s pronounced Shorrell not Shore Well. Asan Islander it’s a great choice of circuit.

[@laszlokaestner5766]

And Brighstone is more Brystn (Bry as like dry and no 'o' in stone)

[@IslandLife273]

Nice one lads. Will save you a brew for sure! Hoping to have a pub enroute by then.

[@xaraxania]

2 on route and one a stones throw off route

[@patchthesinclair5896]

October is, from a weather/ temperature point of view, better than spring. The landmass temperature higher after summer rather than struggling to regain warmth after winter. This is relevant to grip and good racing.

[@Simon_de_Cornouailles]

An October race.. on an island in the English channel.. Fair chance of rain and a less than 'gentle' breeze I suspect.

[@davidwaddington9414]

well if climate change is real it should be a sizzler !

[@claretbuck1882]

Fingers x it happens 👌🏻

[@wetkneehouston6293]

I think the corners should be named after fallen island riders who regularly rid and loved the military road

[@garrymartin6474]

The views (for anyone thinking of touring there) are much better going the other way up the military road towards the white cliffs of Tennyson Down.

[@robh952]

Just watch the ferry prices soar!

[@malcolmrann6274]

Rob H Ferry prices already too high.

[@ragerider6283]

Great vid & insight to the circuit. Hopefully it'll happen but tbh it looks lethal to me with those narrow roads & stone walls. Bloody tractors lol.

[@indegoadult]

A road race on the roads around Horwich north of Bolton over the south Pennines would be phenomenal

[@fabzrustrider9838]

I love Bennetts bikes

[@bennettsbikesocial]

We love you too!

[@thebeast2746]

First section Dean Harrison Michael Dunlop 2nd section military road definitely Peter Hickman. It’ll be interesting to see Michael Dunlop racing it .

[@HB-gj7gd]

What a happy fun guy

[@stephencole4498]

Considering its only a weekend event, I'm surprised by the October date. Surely they could have squeezed it between a BSB event and stand a far better chance of decent weather. Also the buy in and education of the locals is vital.

[@robbikebob]

Looks fantastic, brilliant, if a bit tight, track. But I'll be amazed if it happens! I was optimistic about the Welsh RR and look what happened there. There are a lot of people to satisfy on the island and a lot of infrastructure to arrange. I'm keeping everything crossed but I'm not getting too excited yet. I also think there should be more smaller classes. Superbikes with be impressive on the straight but the rest of the course would suit smaller bikes. A supersport 3/400 race would be fantastic.

[@robertearl2262]

lets gp for it isie of wight

[@chrisb_rc]

Guessing the tractor driver isn't a fan of the race

[@xaraxania]

he's a working man

[@biggles50405]

Looks like an interesting route, although a few corners shown might be problematic, probably be a lot of finessing needed. One to add to the list.

[@sylvandespres7654]

yep,especially entering the first town where you can enter some of the few corners full pop,but it's immediately followed by a change of direction.....even if the course is easy to remember,the first few practice sessions will be spectacular .hope everybody will take the time required to learn the course correctly.

[@PremierNZ-qb5zd]

Here’s another, wow, for roads in Britain the surface of this one is pretty damn good, most unusual. What will be the format for the race, time trial or group? Whatever it is it will be exciting, hope it goes ahead.

[@writestuffmedia]

Time trial, bikes away from the start at 10 second intervals as per the TT. More info here - www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2020/august/isle-of-wight-diamond-races-will-it-happen

[@xaraxania]

the roads have only recently been resurfaced, maybe that's why this race was so long coming haha

[@grahammaddison4293]

Live on the IoW, been to the TT, would like to see it happen BUT... Most of this course is REALLY narrow, possibly too narrow for enthusiastic Time Trials, WAY too narrow for a group race. I worry that if they experience TT-level deaths of racers (and guns-ho sports bikers) it'll be the first and last time ..

[@PremierNZ-qb5zd]

Graham Maddison you’re probably right.

[@martinduddridge329]

Can’t wait to see how much ferry prices increase by for this... Otherthan that yeah bring it on.

[@wetkneehouston6293]

Yeah its ridiculous how much theh charge normally let alone at a time like the festival and other big events 🤬

[@sylvandespres7654]

is the race still on? no cancellation expected? would love to race this course because it is not over complicated like the TT roadcourse. hope all the TT guys will show up,we need a total commitement of the northern ireland roadracing community to really hook it up for the futur..we need a strong first event.

[@coldh4nd]

Wow!

[@graham1466]

the speed limit on the IOW is Tractor

[@Jimmmmy69]

Skip to 27:50 and that's me talking, woohoo - cheers for leaving it in always wanted my 24 seconds of fame.. :)

[@writestuffmedia]

Hi Jim. I didn't leave it ALL in... 😉 you'd have been even *more* famous!

[@Jimmmmy69]

@@writestuffmedia haha yep, I did appreciate your excellent editing skills ;)

[@Jackofallmotards]

Freshwater Bay to blackgang viewpoint would be better, people in Chale and surrounds want to impose average speed cameras at the organisers expense which will KILL the road for us locals

[@Gambo916]

What does this, this, this, this and this all have in common? Answer.....they all have a Simon Hargreaves in view!! Is this 'race' going to be a mass start, or a time trial with riders setting off at predetermined intervals as at the IOM TT?

[@writestuffmedia]

Ah yes, sorry about that 🤡 Time trial start, every 10 secs as per the TT - is the plan.

[@Gambo916]

@@writestuffmedia Thanks for clarifying that Simon. Can we have some nutter wheelie and knee down shenanigans a la your Performance Bikes days in the next vid please dooood? Ta.

[@sv7017]

Its some kind of frustrating, that 90% the roadside is paved with undergrowth that takes all the scenery

[@andyjackson5]

yeah i’m all up for a new road race but sadly this doesn’t do it for me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Lyingleyen]

What about Jeremy's Cottage, Old Fart Farm, Heart-Race Corner, the Devil's Sphincter...

[@colinburnside4425]

Pi will be about £35k for a year .

[@graham1466]

emergency medical transport from the IOW to the Southampton General Hospital is via remote controlled drone.

[@alfienichols9524]

Hello bennetts

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Hi, what do you reckon of the circuit?

[@alfienichols9524]

@@bennettsbikesocial I think it will be a nice circuit for competivnes

[@Jackofallmotards]

The idea was actually originally a man called Kevin rann's wife's, definitely need to name a corner after her

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

Too many retired influential people live there.

[@thehowlingterror]

So narrow.

[@jasonpeters9390]

Can't see it happening people are not happy about it already and it just a idea

[@sylvandespres7654]

no.the only reason it could be shelved is covid.otherwise,most are for it.it'll bring a ton of money for everyone.as for the retired people,well,they still are able to collect their pension checks,so what the hell....

[@dmartin23]

So when the inevitable happens and someone lunches a fire blade through someone’s house, who pays for that?

[@phoenixxam5812]

I’m staying away from Isle Of Wight… That island is just a coincidence for me… But not for you. Am not coming over there again.

[@luke02salkeld]

That made no sense

[@phoenixxam5812]

There are ghosts in Isle Of Wight.

[@luke02salkeld]

@@phoenixxam5812 yes. I live here. Loads of supposedly haunted places. Cool right?

[@phoenixxam5812]

Haunted places…? Are there some ghosts in lower Hyde? The big campsite?

[@luke02salkeld]

@@phoenixxam5812 no idea. Probably 😂 appuldurcombe is supposed to be very haunted

[@andyjackson5]

not getting what is “wow” about it. i appreciate trying to be positive but sadly this does nothing for me. i expected some fantastic seaside/coastal views along the military road but there wasn’t.

[@writestuffmedia]

My 'wow'-ness comes from riding around narrow, squiggly little back lanes and imagining what it would feel like to hustle through them at race pace. Then heading down the military road flat stick. Wow. The riders won't have a lot of time to appreciate the scenery, I reckon.

[@lukaszg74]

Won't happen people already protesting

[@thebeast2746]

Fk them

[@lordflinty]

@Andrew iow sadly I think you're right .... the Nimbys rule... used to love the racing at Arreton

[@sylvandespres7654]

@@thebeast2746 yep.agree.

[@NHEFF09]

islanders wont like it

[@rachaelelliott846]

NHEFF09 I do!