Manx GP 2022

Manx Grand Prix will have two "classic" races.

• Senior Classic Manx Grand Prix - Classic machines up to 500cc, so Manxes and G50s etc.
• Superbike Classic Manx Grand Prix - probably the same as the old Classic TT Superbike class i.e. 1000cc Suzuki 1980s looky-likies

The glory days of the Manx might be behind us now with a nine day event and a lot of disenchanted people. And I still don't understand how Gary Thompson gets to stay as clerk of the course after the Steve Mercer incident.

But, getting back to the point, I intend to be at both the TT and MGP this year and I'll certainly be along to any NOC get together we can arrange.

It seems the changes were driven by the intrusion into Manx life of the 14 days of motorcycling and the fact that they started to have major issues in terms of being able to find enough marshalls.

The classic event had overshadowed the Manx GP which was in decline and I suspect the former introduced significantly more visitor spend than the Manx event which is in essence racing at club level.

It will be interesting to see to what extent the Government/ tourist board and the Manx Club in partnership continue to promote the whole classic aspect. I’m not sure it’s what the Manx Club are about but we shall see. From an outside perspective I suspect they need a robust and popular Classic element to help underpin the finances of the Manx GP.

Whatever, I intend being  there in June and August and attending the club reunions if happening.

It will be great to be back !!

If the Classic TT was overshadowing the Manx GP which was in decline before the Classic TT was added then why eliminate the Classic TT. Some odd thinking going on.

Next year…. 
Better marketing situation, and we still get to se3 the “Classic” races. As long as the Marshals are behind it….

Jon

My main reason for going was the VMCC  events  and in particular the very reasonable Jurby  track time  and  cheap VMCC  Ferry booking..  I think we had the best years .

Jurby was another odd decision, too popular and so hard work for the VMCC volunteers so they stopped it. The admission fee profits would have easily paid for a professional event organiser which coupled with restricted entry to the paddock would have still left the VMCC with money.

Hi all,

I was at the last Jerby event in 2019, which was the best day of the whole event for me.

I followed with interest when the VMCC said that was the last one ever!

I recall post Brexit insurance for the foriegn riders (Ago etc) was the main reason.

Others may know more.

Regards - Paul.

My understanding ( although I would not claim to be privy to the detail) was that Jurby was effectively a victim of its own success.

The Manx VMCC section stepped back from running the event as it had become too much for them and unfortunately there was no one else to take it up.

The local VMCC section had been obliged to form a special limited company to run the event. Members had to stand as directors with the liability and responsibility that entailed plus there were Health and Safety courses to attend, big insurance premiums to be paid and the commercial risk if the event was washed out, which was very nearly the outcome of the last event to be held. Lastly, there was simply the massive time, resource and effort required

It is easy to understand why the local VMCC stood down.

In my view the Manx government should have stepped in or at least underwritten the event for an alternative commercial event organiser such as Morton’s ?

On a positive note, Jurby as it was clearly demonstrated the extent of the Classic interest that exists and hopefully other parties will come forward with similar and/or other events in its place.
 

As the IOM was outside the EU both before and after Brexit how can Brexit have any connection.

The Isle of Man was not an EU member state but it did benefit from a sort of "friend of a friend" relationship thru the UK's membership.
See https://www.isleofman.com/about-the-isle-of-man/the-eu-and-oecd/#:~:text=The%20European%20Union%20and%20the%20Organisation%20for%20Economic,3%20to%20the%20United%20Kingdom%27s%20Treaty%20of%20Accession.

I don't know how the VMCC's insurance was affected but it could well have changed as a consequence of Brexit.

Well, if there's nothing official, I guess we just go ahead and organise our own meet and see who else turns up.

Do we like the Shore Hotel or is Castletown a better option?

All,

I spoke to Tim Harrison about this yesterday and he will contact Derek Fox (the original organiser of the event). It's unclear at the moment if Derek is attending the island and / or putting on the event.

When Tim gets an update - he will post on this thread.

Thanks - Paul.

When last in the IOM I noticed the rear of the Shore Hotel ( in recent years a micro brewery) was being redeveloped to create a 40 seater restaurant. Whether this will alter the car parking arrangements etc I do not know.

The Shore Laxey, is currently open for 'business as usual', but is a major building site. Covered in scaffolding and the rear car park cordoned off.

TT is around the corner and I'm sure they will have it near to completion for that deadline. By all accounts it'll be in full swing by MGP.

I have been trying to find out what is going on at Manx GP time in the IOM that will be of particular interest to the Classic fraternity. Disappointingly, apart from the races referred to above there appears to be very little.

The powers that be seem to have overlooked that it takes more than a few races to pull in the classic motorcyclists in significant numbers. I’m not sure it bodes well for the future but hope very much that I am wrong. 

Mgp/ classic fortnight has begun. The Shore Hotel is hoarded and scaffolded but has a sign up saying business as usual. The car park is a building site.

Does anyone know whether a NOC meeting has been organised anywhere ?

i am going. with out bikes . I  can not afford to rebuild after 160 miles run to Heysham  But will look out for members with there NORTONS