The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course (or 'Mountain Circuit') annually, usually at the end of August and early September. Traditionally the event has been staged over a two week period but this was reduced in 2022 to nine days.[1] 2023 saw the 100th Anniversary of the event.
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| Venue | Snaefell Mountain Course |
|---|---|
| First race | 1923 |
| Previous names | Manx Amateur Road Races |
| Most wins (rider) | Bob Heath (11) |
The MGP or Manx (as it is more commonly known) is considered to be the amateur rider's alternative and a learning experience for the Isle of Man TT races held in May/June. The event differs from the TT in that it does not cater for sidecars. A 'Classic TT' race category for historic racing machines was added in 2013 as part of the Manx Government Department of Economic Development's expansion to create what is termed Festival of Motorcycling to breathe new life into the event. These new races also allowed for professional and experienced riders to compete.[2]
The event consists of six three or four-lap races of the 60.70 km (37.72 mi) circuit[3] which begins at the TT Grandstand in Douglas, the island's capital. The separate classes have varied year to year. The proposed schedule for 2024 consists of the Lightweight, Classic, Classic Junior, Junior, Senior and Classic Superbike races.
History
editThe MGP began in 1923 as the 'Manx Amateur Road Races' or MARC. The MARC continued until 1930 when renamed as the Manx Grand Prix. Problems were encountered initially over the definition of an 'Amateur' and the first rules were extensive and open to various interpretations. Nowadays, many riders who have achieved success in the MGP move on to race in the TT but regulations prevent them from entering the race in contemporary motorcycles, limiting participation to the vintage motorcycle classes. Chris Palmer (former British 125cc champion) and the late Richard Britton both followed this route in 2005 aboard Manx Nortons.
In 1989 Gloria Clark became the first woman to race in the MGP. In 1991 she gained an entry into the Guinness Book Of Records for being the fastest lady on the TT Circuit. Carolynn Sells was entered into the Guinness World Records as the first female winner on the Snaefell Mountain Course of the Ultra-Lightweight event at the 2009 Manx Grand Prix.
The MGP is organised by the Manx Motor Cycle Club (MMCC) based on the rules and regulations of the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) which governs most British motorcycle events.
Classes
editThe Newcomers class caters for riders who have no previous experience of the Mountain Circuit. Such a class does not feature in the programme of the TT and is thus the only opportunity for newcomers to race the circuit in competition. Classes are usually over-subscribed as a result. Riders are limited to machinery with a capacity not exceeding 750cc and must wear coloured bibs over their leathers during 'Practice' (see below). Newcomers are also permitted to submit an application for any of the other classes but may or may not be granted a ride depending on their levels of experience.
A variety of makes and capacities of machines are grouped together in Classes.
For 2024 the Classes are:
Lightweight Manx Grand Prix (250cc 2-stroke, 200-401cc 4-stroke, Supersport 400, or Moto3). Each category of motorcycle has its own winner.
Classic Senior Manx Grand Prix (500cc 2-strokes before 1968 or 4-strokes before 1973)
Classic Junior Manx Grand Prix (smaller capacity 350cc machines).Past winners include Michael Dunlop, Lee Johnston, Michael Rutter, Jamie Coward, and Dominic Herbertson.
Junior Manx Grand Prix (Supertwin machines, similar to Isle of Man Supertwin rules).
Senior (Supersport specifications)
Classic Superbike (up to 1997).
CLUBMAN RACING
The Manx Motorcycle Club have also announced that amateur riders will compete in the Lightweight, Classic Junior, Classic Senior, and Classic Superbike Races.
Classified with either ‘TT’ or ‘Clubman’ status competitors who have entries accepted for the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races will be determined as TT, whilst those outside of that criteria will be classified as Clubman and will be presented with a specific set of awards.
As mentioned previously, newcomers must wear a coloured bib (usually orange or yellow) during practice sessions to distinguish themselves to other riders. Similarly, classic riders are obliged to wear white bibs.
Those who participated in the 2024 Isle of Man TT must participate in the Classic categories.
Format of the races
editThe format varies from time to time but the first part of the event is devoted to 'Practice.' Riders are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the course and must complete a minimum number of laps at a satisfactory speed in order to qualify for the races held subsequently.
On the first evening of Practice, Newcomers are escorted around the course on a speed-controlled lap by the Traveling Marshals ( marshals on bikes who lap the course regularly to check for problems.) They are then at liberty to circulate at their desired pace.
MGP 2024 SCHEDULE*edit | |
| Sun 18 Aug | Qualifying |
| Mon 19 Aug | Qualifying |
| Tue 20 Aug | Qualifying |
| Wed 21 Aug | Qualifying |
| Thu 22 Aug | Qualifying |
| Fri 23 Aug | Qualifying
Lightweight Manx Grand Prix - 3 laps Classic Senior Manx Grand Prix - 4 laps |
| Sat 24 Aug | Warm-Up Lap
Classic Junior Manx Grand Prix - 3 laps Junior Manx Grand Prix - 4 laps |
| Mon 26 Aug
Bank Holiday |
Warm-Up Lap
Senior Manx Grand Prix - 4 laps Classic Superbike Manx Grand Prix - 4 laps |
*This is a Provisional schedule and is subject to consultation and road closure approval by the Department for Infrastructure, in accordance with the Road Races Act 2016. Specific timings will be announced in due course.[4]
In the event of bad weather races can be delayed for later on the same days or even rescheduled for Tuesday or Thursday. In the past racing has extended beyond Friday and race distances can also be reduced by the organisers.
Famous MGP names
editThe Manx Grand Prix has been the stepping stone for many great riders who have gone on to become internationally famous. The likes of Martin Finnegan, Davy Morgan, Ray Porter and Kenneth McCrea are now well-established TT stars who also compete in road racing events elsewhere in the British Isles, especially the Irish road racing circuit.
Other famous names from bygone decades include Freddie Frith, Phil Read and the great Geoff Duke and the great Mike Casey winner of 1995, all of whom raced at the TT – Duke and Read went on to become multiple world champions.
'King of the Mountain' Joey Dunlop, the second most successful TT rider of all time with 26 victories, also tried his hand at the MGP on a Classic Aermacchi and achieved a podium finish.
Awards
editVarious awards are given at the MGP each year. The Manx Motorcycle Club relies exclusively on entry fees and donations to fund the awards. Many trophies and cups have been donated in the past and range from 'Fastest Lap of the meeting' to "Most meritorious performance by a newcomer."
The winner of the Junior Manx Grand Prix receives the Douglas Pirie Trophy whilst the victor of the Senior Manx Grand Prix is awarded the A.B. Crookall Trophy. Convention however dictates that the A.B. Crookall Trophy can only be won once, as the winner of the Senior Manx Grand Prix is then obliged to enter the TT Races.[5]
All riders completing a race receive a Finisher's Medal, and any who finish a race within a certain percentage of the winner's overall time are given a 'Replica.' Replicas are awarded to those finishing within 110% of the winners time. Team awards are also raced for although they are not always awarded every year. Such awards are not only aimed at riders competing for the same sponsor but also riders from the same motorcycle club. In total there are about 42 separate awards and the list will doubtless continue to grow.
Other MGP fortnight events
editThe MGP is popular with many motorcycle fans and is viewed as having a more relaxed atmosphere to that of the TT. Throughout the duration of the races there are various club meetings (particularly of classic machines) and there is also a Classic Parade on closed roads. Unlike the TT there is no funfair on Douglas Promenade but various entertainments include visiting and local music acts and the Manx 3-day Trial.
Total overall Manx Grand Prix race winners (including Manx Amateur Road Race winners)
editThis article needs to be updated. (October 2023) |
| Rider | Wins |
|---|---|
| Bob Heath | 11 |
| Ryan Farquhar, Roy Richardson | 10 |
| Bill Swallow | 9 |
| Denis Parkinson, Richard Swallow, Bob Jackson | 5 |
| Michael Dunlop, Austin Munks, Ewan Hamilton, Alan 'Bud' Jackson, Chris McGahan | 4 |
| Ken Bills, James Courtney, Michael Evans, Jason Griffiths, Dan Kneen, Ricky Mitchell, Chris Palmer, Doug Pirie, Dave Pither, Richard Quayle | 3 |
| Craig Atkinson, Gordon Blackley, Andrew Brady, Eric Briggs, Jimmy Buchan, Maurice Cann, James Courtney, Don Crossley, Barry Davidson, Tony Duncan, Chris Fargher, Jack Findlay, Alan Holmes, Tim Hunt, Tom Knight, Norman Kneen, Eric Lea, George Lindsay, Oliver Linsdell, Phillip McCallen, Dave Milling, Bernard Murray, Len Randles, Michael Russell, Craig Ryding, Dan Sayle, Martin Sharpe, Michael Sweeney, Geoff Tanner, Malcolm Uphill, Brian Venables, Clive Watts, Barry Wood, Buddy Yeardsley, Nathan Harrison | 2 |
| Rex Adams, Dave Arnold, Mark Baldwin, Brian Ball, Adam Barclay, Nigel Barton, Nigel Beattie, Simon Beck, Gavin Bell, George Bell, Peter Bell, Alan Bennallick, Dave Bennett, Alan Bennie, Gordon Blackley, Ellis Boyce, Colin Breeze, Derek Brien, Dave Broadhead, Clive Brown, George Buchan, Graham Cannell, Phil Carpenter, John Carr, Gary Carswell, Mike Casey, Alan Cooper, Paul Corrin, George Costain, Dennis Craine, Eddie Crooks, Dickie Dale, Harold Daniell, Gordon Daniels, Peter Darvill, Snuffy Davies, Nigel Davies, Robin Dawson, Tom Dickie, Wayne Dinham, Tommy Diver, H.G. Dobbs, Chris Dowling, Paul Duckett, Robin Duffy, Geoff Duke, Robert Dunlop, Samuel Dunlop, Joe Dunphy, Derek Ennett, Dave East, Michael (Miggy) Evans, Bob Farmer, Gordon Farmer, Derek Farrant, John Findlay, Frank Fox, Freddie Frith, Elwyn Fryer, Simon Fulton, Alex George, Phil Gilder, Norman Gledhill, Grant Goodings, Seamus Green, Selwyn Griffiths, Billy Guthrie, Rod Harris, Phil Haslam, Paul Harbinson, Bob Hayes, Steve Hazlett, Russ Henley, Dave Hickman, Jamie Hodson, Rob Hodson, Chris Hook, Ken Huggett, Dave Hughes, Paul Hunt, Alan Jackson, Bud Jackson, Nick Jefferies, Griff Jenkins, Geoff Johnson, Ross Johnson, Dave Johnston, Gordon Keith, Neil Kent, Wayne Kirwan, Mike Kneen, Tom Knight, Steve Kuenne, Con Law, Gavin Lee, George Linder, Darran Lindsay, Joe Lindsay, Gary Linham, Ernie Lyons, Dave Madsen-Mygdal, Tim Maher, Cromie McCandless, Bob McIntyre, Sam McClements, Philip McGurk, Stephen McIlvenna, Sean McStay, Harry Meageen, Ernie Merrill, Peter Middleton, Ned Minihan, Donald Mitchell, Dave Moffitt, Dave Montgomery, Nigel Moore, Davy Morgan, Ian Morris, Steve Moynihan, J.M.Muir, Ian Newton, Dave O'Leary, Alan Oversby, Mark Parrett, Len Parsons, Cliff Patterson, Ian Patterson, Dave Pither, Gary Radcliffe, Steve Rae, Brian Raynor, Phil Read, Paddy Reid, Frank Reynolds, Peter Richardson, Roy Richardson, Kevin Riley, Eddie Roberts, Nigel Rollason, Peter Romaine, Andrew Soar, Carolynn Sells, Martin Sharpe, Alan Shepherd, Robin Sherry, Danny Shimmin, Dave Silvester, John Simpson, Mick Skene, Billy Smith, Stephen Smith, Alan Steele, Matt Stevenson, Keith Stewart, Steve Sturrock, Ralph Sutcliffe, Roger Sutcliffe, James Kelly Swanston, Chris Collard, Peter Symes, Keith Taylor, Keith Townsend, Les Trotter, Peter Turnball, Nick Turner, Steve Ward, Ernie Washer, Tom Weeden, John Wetherall, Charlie Williams, David Williams, Steve Williams, J H 'Crasher' White, Frank Whiteway | 1 |
Current Manx Grand Prix lap records
editThis article needs to be updated. (October 2023) |
| Category | Rider | Machine | Year | Time | Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outright Manx Grand Prix | Michael Evans | Suzuki 750 cc | 2017 | 18 mins 25.495 secs | 122.866 mph |
| Outright Classic TT | Bruce Anstey | Yamaha YZR500 | 2017 | 17 mins 45.348 secs | 127.496 mph |
| Newcomers Race 'A' | Brad Vicars | Honda CBR600RR | 2017 | 19 mins 03.471 secs | 118.786 mph |
| Newcomers Race 'B' | Marc Ironside | Kawasaki 650 cc | 2016 | 20 mins 22.56 secs | 111.101 mph |
| Superbike Classic TT | Bruce Anstey | Yamaha YZR500 | 2017 | 17 mins 45.348 secs | 127.496 mph |
| Lightweight Classic TT | Bruce Anstey | Honda 250 cc | 2017 | 18 mins 47.438 secs | 120.475 mph |
| Senior Classic TT | John McGuinness | Paton 500 cc | 2016 | 19 mins 58.39 secs | 113.342 mph |
| Junior Classic TT | Lee Johnston | MV Agusta 350 cc | 2014 | 21 mins 30.66 secs | 105.239 mph |
| Junior Manx Grand Prix | Michael Evans | Honda CBR600RR | 2017 | 18 mins 46.088 secs | 120.619 mph |
| Lightweight Race | Nigel Beattie | Honda 250 cc | 2002 | 19 mins 53.8 secs | 113.770 mph |
| Supertwin Race | Rob Hodson | Kawasaki 650 cc | 2015 | 19 mins 45.75 secs | 114.550 mph |
| Senior Manx Grand Prix | Michael Evans | Suzuki 750 cc | 2017 | 18 mins 25.495 secs | 122.866 mph[6] |
Awards
editRace winner trophies
edit| Race | Trophy | Rider | Machine | Year | Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Manx Grand Prix | A.B. Crookall Trophy | Stephen Smith | Kawasaki 600cc | 2022 | 121.796 mph |
| Junior Manx Grand Prix | Douglas Pirie Trophy | Nathan Harrison | Honda 600cc | 2019 | 120.818 mph |
| Lightweight Race | The Motor Cycle Trophy | James Hind | Yamaha 250 cc | 2019 | 115.200 mph |
| Lightweight Race | Albert Moule Trophy | James Hind | Yamaha 250 cc | 2019 | 115.200 mph |
| 500cc Classic TT Race | Francis Beart Trophy | Ian Lougher | Paton 499 cc | 2014 | 104.481 mph |
| 350cc Junior Classic TT Race | Harold Rowell Trophy | Lee Johnson | MV Agusta 350 cc | 2014 | 104.134 mph |
| 250cc Classic TT Lightweight Race | Phil Read Cup | Tom Jackson | Suzuki 249 cc | 2014 | 93.062 mph |
| Newcomers Race 'A' | Aitcheson Trophy | Peter Wilkinson | Yamaha 600 cc | 2015 | 111.552 mph |
| Newcomers Race 'B' | Braddan Bridge Trophy | Gary Vines | Yamaha 250 cc | 2015 | 104.563 mph |
| Newcomers Race 'C' | Wayne Hamilton Memorial Trophy | Elwyn Fryer | Kawasaki 400 cc | 2015 | 101.051 mph |
| Formula 1 Classic TT | Phink Trophy | Bruce Anstey | Yamaha 500 cc | 2014 | 121.957 mph |
| Formula 2 Classic TT | Ewan Hamilton Trophy | Ian Lougher | Yamaha 250 cc | 2014 | 107.993 mph |
Sources
edit- ^ A new look for the Manx Grand Prix 2022 manxgrandprix.org Retrieved 4 August 2022
- ^ Huge Entry for inaugural Classic TT IoM TT.com (official website, indistinct date shown) Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ "2009 Manx Grand Prix Supplementary Regulations" (PDF). Manx Grand Prix. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012. page 4
- ^ "Manx Grand Prix". manxgrandprix.co.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "History of the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT | Devitt". 28 March 2017.
- ^ Senior Manx Grand Prix - Result Sheet - 19th August - 1st September 2017 page 2 Gary Thompson, Clerk of the Course (2017) Manx Motor Cycle Club Ltd (MMCC) Isle of Man Department of Economic Development.