Dutch TT To Be Held On Sunday From 2016

The Dutch TT is unique in that it is the only race on the calendar to be held on a Saturday – specifically the last Saturday in June. Once a requirement from a local minister as to avoid clashes with his church service, it has since become tradition.

However, from 2016, this tradition will be broken and the race will be run on a Sunday hence forth.

This change has come about after careful deliberation by the TT Board in which they considered all the plus and negative points to such an alteration, and they came to the decision that it would be best for the circuit's financial future and therefore future on the MotoGP calendar.

Bringing the Dutch TT in-line with every other Grand Prix event (Friday, Saturday, Sunday format) should see an increase in spectator attendance on practice and qualifying day which should boost the circuit's revenue.

The race will still take place on the last weekend of June, so a shred of tradition has been kept.

Of course this does have some repercussions; The last weekend in June is also usually the same time as the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, both races being attended highly by British racing fans. Traditionally when MotoGP and F1 have lights out at the same time, the latter always gains the viewers. Given the significance of both races to their respective series it would be unwise to have them clash.

Personally, I like the Saturday race day for the Dutch TT. It adds to the race's charm and uniqueness. And as a racing fan it is pretty nice to get a race one day earlier than normal.

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