MMCC and enterprise dept to discuss Manx Grand Prix
Splashdown Offline
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RE: MMCC and enterprise dept to discuss Manx Grand Prix
Having just returned from the Manx Grand Prix, I DO hope that the Department listen carefully to the Manx Motor Cycle Club's concerns.
You would only need to watch the Classic TT, and then watch the Manx Grand Prix to become aware of the peculiar dichotomy that exists between the two events.
On the one hand you had two days of pretty average racing with a handful of TT stars, and very small entries ( but huge praise for Bruce Anstey here), followed by three days (well two and a bit) of extremely exciting racing with full grids.
The Classic 500cc TT highlighted the demise of the event in an alarming way. I believe that about 31 riders made the restart, (yes I'm aware of the tragic loss of poor Chris Swallow), with just 19 finishers. Other events didn't fare much better, but at least there was an exciting and unexpected finish to the Superbike race. The Lightweight Classic TT won by Bruce, even had a Manx Grand Prix rider on the rostrum in the amazing James Hind, surely one of the "finds" of the season. After the last Classic TT race on the Monday evening, I always notice a change in atmosphere, with the departure of the Classic TT riders. However, for me the excitement is just beginning.
In the Manx, almost all the races were closely fought, and I became utterly engrossed in the event from my very fortunate position of being a Commentator for mgptvlive. 
I traveled over on the Sunday evening (day of the Jurby event) on the Heysham boat. The boat was jam packed! You can't tell me they were all coming over to watch one day of Classic TT racing. No, they were coming for the Manx.
I keep telling the "powers that be" that the next Superstar of the TT will almost certainly come from the Manx GP. Seems like I may be correct in the shape of James Hind, early days I know.
The Manx Grand Prix is one of the hidden gems of the British racing calendar. For too long it has been overlooked, yet clearly it boosts the Isle of Man economy, provides a superbly run event for a broad church of road racers, and gives thousands of spectators a variety of events that they don't see at the TT. (125 twostrokes, alongside 250 MotoGP singles, alongside 400cc bikes).
I am not saying that there aren't any shortcomings of the MGP, but I do think that it is about time that the Government took notice of an event that has a rich past, and an exciting future.
05-09-2019, 04:42 PM
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RE: MMCC and enterprise dept to discuss Manx Grand Prix - by Splashdown - 05-09-2019, 04:42 PM



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