Manx Grand Prix revamp 'boosts newcomer practice'

John McBride is the chairman of the Manx Motor Cycle Club

A revamped Manx Grand Prix format gives newcomers "plenty of practice time" on the Mountain Course, the chairman of the club behind the races has said.

The event, which runs parallel to the relaunched Classic TT until 29 August, has been extended to cover 13 days instead of a shorter 9-day programme introduced in 2022.

A total of 29 riders are set to make their debut, including six from the Isle of Man.

John McBride of the Manx Motor Cycle Club said the longer format meant newcomers to the Mountain Course could "pace themselves" to gain "a lot of experience on the course" ahead of making a decision about entering the TT in future.

He said "we now have a proper contingency day for MGP, so we shouldn't have too much trouble getting races in" after a "hectic and stressful" 2024 contest.

Last year's August event was hampered by delays caused by red-flag incidents and poor weather, leading to the full programme of racing having to be crammed into the final day.

Although ACU Events Ltd run the event, the Manx Motor Cycle Club owns the MGP brand

While the club chairman said he would prefer for both the classic and modern motorbike racing to come under the MGP banner, he believed some of the top riders preferred for it to be part of the TT brand.

But he conceded that the Department for Enterprise, promoters of the Classic TT, were better placed to organise those races "particularly with rider contracts", which were "quite complex".

All-time TT race win record holder Michael Dunlop will be competing alongside fellow 2025 TT winners Dean Harrison and Davey Todd on classic and vintage machinery on 27 and 29 August.

'Very close finishes'

Prior to those races, riders will face off in a number of MGP classes, including the Supertwin, Supersport and Senior on Saturday and Monday.

Mr McBride said he was expecting "very close finishes" on the 37.7mile (61km) Mountain Course with racers who have progressed in recent years now "knocking on the door of more experienced riders".

He also said he hoped the contest, which had been starting point in Manx road racing for many future TT winners, would give newcomers enough experience to "think about whether they could consider the TT as a future occupation".

"That's what we'd like them all to do because the TT needs riders too," he added.

MGP qualifying sessions are set to continue on Tuesday with the course closed to traffic between 18:00 and 21:00 BST.