PROFILE
which we can go to the market .”
The Isle of Man ’ s Department of Economic Development is equally interested in attracting cuttingedge , sustainable businesses to its shores . With a longstanding aerospace engineering industry , the island is hoping to further diversify its economy and expand its highly skilled workforce . And its status as a British Crown Dependency means that businesses will enjoy the benefits of its lower tax economy and greater political autonomy .
While the TT is an undoubted point of pride , and revenue , for the Isle of Man , the TT Zero is particularly significant as the island seeks to build a reputation for innovation .
“ We ’ ve got clusters of very highly technical engineers here across the Isle of Man ,” says Adrian Moore , explaining why companies like Saroléa are , and should be , drawn to the island . “ There ’ s an instant supply chain for them . It is a very exciting time here for manufacturing .”
Bringing the classroom to the racecourse The TT Zero ’ s five university entrants arrived on the Isle of Man ready to absorb and exchange some of the engineering knowledge that has accumulated at the TT . Much like their non-student counterparts , they were also hoping to make a name for themselves on the Mountain Course .
“ The team is mainly researchers and students from the university ,” says Professor Pat Wheeler of the University of Nottingham . “ There is nobody employed to do it : it ’ s all evenings and late nights and early mornings .”
Though motorcycle engineering is not the sole pursuit of the technicians on Nottingham ’ s team , their goals were far from modest :
“ We ’ d love to be up there with Victory and Mugen ,” Wheeler says , naming the race ’ s two major motorsport companies as the entrants to beat . “ The goal coming into this was to be competitive and see what happens .”
Crossing the finish line Just five of the eight teams that intended to compete in the TT Zero ultimately reached the starting grid on 8 June . Technical problems plagued the three non-starters , including Saroléa , who later released
12 July 2016