It was race day for motorsports fan The Duke of Cambridge as he visited the Isle of Man today.
Prince William dropped the flag to start the TT Zero Race today.
And they’re off! 🏁
The Duke flags off the TT Zero race @iom_tt, which sees teams compete on electric motorcycles without the use of carbon based fuels. pic.twitter.com/9gyXsHWMmj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2018
The Isle of Man TT Races is an annual Motorcycle race meeting that takes place on the Isle of Man in June. The first race was in 1907 and is one of the oldest continuous motorsport events in the world.
William arrived at the TT Grandstand and watched the final stages of the TT Supersport Race 2 before attending a reception in the Government House Tent.
Looking back at the Podium Gallery for the SES TT Zero. Presentation of garlands and trophy by HRH The Duke of Cambridge #iomtt pic.twitter.com/ePqnLG5Npt
— Manx Radio TT (@ManxRadioTT) June 6, 2018
The meeting features nine races including a Superbike Race (for modified 1000cc bikes), the TT Zero for electric bikes, a Lightweight Race (featuring SuperTwin bikes) and two Sidecar Races. Wednesday’s Races, subject to weather, will feature the second Supersport TT Race, the TT Zero Race and the Lightweight TT Race.
The races are run in a time trial format on closed public roads, with riders competing around the TT Mountain Course circuit which is 37 ¾ miles long. The Duke will view a number of races before meeting race officials and support staff and volunteers involved in the running of the event.
Teams from Norton Racing @UniofBath @UniofNottingham and @Bruneluni show The Duke their zero emissions bikes which they built and raced in @iom_tt zero race – congratulations to all of today’s winners! pic.twitter.com/dHROGS6yWP
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2018
HRH continued on to the Joey Dunlop Foundation. Founded in 2001, the charity builds specialist accommodation for visitors to the Isle of Man with a disability.
Braddan Bridge House, located in Douglas, the island’s capital, consists of apartments which serve the needs of all guests.
The charity is named after William Joseph ‘Joey’ Dunlop, the popular world champion motorcycle racer.
His Royal Highness then met staff and guests staying in the accommodation and heard how they support guests with disabilities throughout the year.