Roadracingsupporters are pleased to announce that the 2011 ‘Roads Closed’ Photographic Exhibition has exceeded all our expectations becoming the most successful fundraising event we have ever promoted and raising a record sum.
The final count puts the total at an amazing £2,785!
Whilst we don’t keep definitive attendance figures, anecdotally we estimate that over 1,000 people visited the exhibition at St. Ninian’s Church in Douglas during the 9 days that we were open to the race fans during the 2011 TT Festival.
Guy Martin signs the Hancox Arts print as artist John Hancox looks on
One of the very first visitors to the exhibition, before it was even officially open, was the popular rider Guy Martin who kindly agreed to sign 50 of a limited edition print by the renowned artist John Hancox. The sales of that print, now sold out, contributed £1,500 to the overall total raised and this amount will be donated to the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club Helicopter Fund. We’d like to extend a big thank you to Guy and John for their major contribution to this collaborative venture between Hancox Arts, roadracingsupporters.com and of course Guy Martin.
The exhibition officially opened on 2nd June 2011 and duties for getting the ball rolling fell to TT stars Ian Mackman and Paul Owen. Taking out some valuable time a matter of hours before their evening practice sessions Ian and Paul presented cheques to the representatives of the recipients of the funds raised from the 2011 calendar. Dr. David Stevens (Rob Vine Fund), Phil Edge (S100) and Bob Taylor (MGPSC) were then thrown into the deep end as Gail Richards of radio station BikerFM managed to get their thoughts and thanks down on tape. Do they use tape anymore?
It was certainly a busy couple of hours at St. Ninian’s as a host of visitors and sponsors made their way through the exhibition and their generous donations further boosted the amount raised.
Gail "the catlass" Richards of BikerFM interviews Ian Mackman and Paul Owen
The remainder of the funds will benefit both the Rob Vine Fund and the Southern 100 Helicopter Fund to the tune of £600 each. When added together the three aforementioned bodies have received £7,000 in 2011 from roadracingsupporters.com as a result of all our fundraising activities.
First and foremost we thank the road race fans who visited the exhibition during this year’s TT Festival and bought the 2011 Edition of the now established roadracingsupporters calendar. Without your support none of this would be possible and it’s indicative of the road racing community that such generosity is willingly directed to those bodies that continue to promote and encourage the sport of “pure” road racing on the Isle of Man. Long may it continue.
That’s that then. Well, not quite. As we have learned over the years, this is no time to rest upon our laurels, far from it in fact. Production has already begun on the 2012 edition of the calendar with a view to having that published by early September and as soon as that concludes we will begin the planning for the return of Roads Closed in 2012. It’s worth mentioning though that none of these things could ever happen without the support and encouragement of the wider community that loves and supports “pure” road racing. Therefore we would like to thank the following people who have given so much;
The members of roadracingsupporters.com
http://www.roadracingsupporters.com/index.php
Rev. John Coldwell and the Parish of St. Ninian’s
http://www.stninianschurch.im/
Mugs4U
Hancox Art
Alistair “Jock” & Laura Bell
David & Joyce Plant
The Lincolnshire Meat Co. Ltd
John Turton Photography
http://www.johnturtonphotography.co.uk
Zurich International Life
http://www.zurich.com/international/home/welcome.htm
Roy, Brian and Peter Moore
Team Hairy Snid
Emerald Road Racing Magazine
http://emeraldroadracing.co.uk
Neil Hallett, Hallett Aviation
Steve Mort, Hein Gericke, Chester
Rona and Rael, Hein Gericke, Chester
Creativo, Ellesmere Port
The photographers;
Baylon McGaughey, Dave Gilbert, Dave Kneen, Glynne Lewis, John Turton and family, Juan Cregeen, Kev Collier, Lenny Hartley, Martyn Parnell, Mike Yiend, Mike Lobley, Pete Faragher, Peter Callister, Peter Corlett, Rod Neil, Russ Lee, Stu Baker, Stu Watson, Chris Machin, Brian Bain and Kev Cooper
Pete & Jude Freckleton
Louize Bates
John Coldwell and family, Maria, Lucy, Emily and Thomas
Christine Roberts and the Parishioners of St. Ninian’s Church
Chris Kinley, Manx Radio
Charlie Lambert, Manx Radio
Radio TT
It will be added to the pile of 40 or so that now need to be mounted. Aiming to have all the boxes loaded and ready for collection on Saturday/Sunday.
Our Price: £7.99
Our Price: £9.99
Our Price: £5.49
