Isle Of Man Manx Grand Prix 2023

This years event looks to be a cracking event, it is the 100 year anniversary of the MGP, for those of us that are attending it will be action packed all the way, a 4 lap sidecar session is planned for a selected number of riders and passengers, this is to test out tyres from a new supplier, given that the current supplier has decided to no longer manufacture the sidecar tyres, and they won't be hanging about. Micky D is back with Team Classic Suzuki and looking for another win on the GSXR 750 SRAD, 2 strokes a plenty, Stefano Bonetti is joining the Speed Shadows Racing Team riding a Bimota YB4, WizNorton Racing return to the Manx Grand Prix bringing their rotary Norton with riders Shaun Anderson and Gary Vines entered in the RST Classic Superbike and Carole Nash Classic Senior Races, Ian Lougher and Adam McLean will ride Yamaha TZ350s, Locker is now 60 years of age and still going fast, remember lucky Lougher for those of us attending in 1990 witnessed him win the 1990 Junior TT lapping at 117.80mph, remarkable on a 250 2 stroke. I hope the weather holds good, a mass ride out round the course on the Sunday for those interested, although I will be at Jurby soaking up more racing and a hell of a lot more, loads of live bands, and Nathan Harrison is back, racing a Honda RC45 courtesy of Ashcourt Racing, unfortunately Lee Johnston is still recovering from his appalling injuries, and I hope Lee makes a full recovery. There are lots more great riders racing again the list is long. For those interested have a look at the MGP Link below. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.
Manx Grand Prix© - Manx Grand Prix

 

Hi I thought you intended going, shame about missing it, it will be screened on TV though so at least you can see something.

 

Hi Pegscraper, a bit like yourself I first visited in 1967 and just got the bug, I have been most years since for all 3 events, apart from the Foot And Mouth and dreaded COVID, I have visited outside the events as well, personally I prefer the Southern 100, this years tragedy saw the first ever cancellation of the event, although plans are in place for the event to run again in 2024. Yes it does seem strange having machines like SRADs being a classic, mind you they are nothing like the original road going machines. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker

 

Michael Dunlop set he pace in the RST Classic Superbike class this afternoon, with a lap of 123.984mph on the Team Classic Suzuki.

 

Well the Manx Grand prix was to say the least a little disappointing, huge delays due to rain on all race days, culminating in a revised schedule. I did intend putting a full post on, however I have pasted a link to the MGP website for all the information. After attending over 40 Manx Grand Prix, TTs and Southern 100, this years MGP was possibly my last, instead I will continue supporting the S100 as I feel the MGP has lost it's way a bit, personally I feel priority should have been afforded to those riders who are either fulfilling their dream of racing on the mountain circuit, or learning the course as a stepping stone to the TT, many run their machines on very tight budgets with little or no sponsorship. Whilst parade laps of machines of yesteryear are excellent, with riders who have previously rode the course as both MGP and TT entrants, but let the true MGP riders race first, take the lap by Dave Roper, whilst this was nice to see it took place before the race, effectively putting the race back by 2 hours due to the course car and then travelling marshals making sure the road was clear and safe. A lot of people think that a 4 lap sidecar race took place, this is absolute rubbish, what did take place was on 2 separate days the sidecars, and only 4 outfits took part (riders/passengers) these being Birchall brothers, Crowe brothers, Reeves, and Molyneux, and this was to test out the tyres from the new supplier given that Avon Tyres are ceasing production, and to look at a number of tyre manufacturers who may be interested in producing tyres suitable for sidecar racing, and avoid a similar situation as has happened with Avon. Whilst the sidecar class does not operate with a single-make tyre rule, Avon have been the main brand used in the category for the last 12 years at the Isle of Man TT Races, the FIM Sidecar World Championship, and across other national series. A lack of a ‘control’ tyre has meant that the onus has been on sidecar competitors to find a replacement product, and after discussions with a range of manufacturers by the leading teams, Hoosier Racing Tires have taken on development of a tyre for the class, hence the testing prior to the 2024 sidecar TT races. It was interesting watching the parade lap (my backside) some put in a very fast pace. Michael Dunlop set of from a standing start on a travelling marshal's stock fireblade, complete with hazard flashers on, he had never ridden the machine before and posted a 128 mph lap. The dates for the 2024 Sothern 100 are confirmed as follows, It's promoters, the Southern 100 Club, have announced the event is scheduled to be held on the Billown Course from 8-11 July, 2024. The organisation adds preparations for the event are now 'well underway'. Road closures around the course on the first three days (8-10 July) are currently scheduled for 6.05pm to 9.40pm.
The final day (11 July) is currently down to have two sets of closures around the course during the day, the first between 9.30am and 12.45pm before opening for a short time and shutting again from 1.30pm to 4.45pm.
The link to the MGP is as follows Manx Grand Prix© - Manx Grand Prix
Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.

 

Hi Dawsy, like you I don't get why presenters interrupt riders on the grid when they can see they want to be on their own, others are happy to chat and that's entirely fine, but those sending out body language that says "I need to be alone", no matter how many times riders line up at the start they all get nervous, the MGP may be a little less pressure but the dangers are still ever present. Mondays Classic Superbike Race was pushed back to a 6.40pm start and cut from four laps to three, a parade lap and then the sidecar tyre testing took place, people that where booked on the 8.15pm ferry had to leave to check in and all missed the race including myself, and the ferry was rammed to capacity. I know the organisers have a difficult job but for goodness sake get the priorities right and set the right schedule, another crazy decision was that multi cylinder machines (twins) had to make a compulsory pit stop (only decided on the day before), Dean Harrison won the Carole Nash Classic Senior MGP Race on the Saturday, Dean set a new lap record on Ted Woof’s Craven Manx Norton to win by a commanding 52.5 seconds. However factor in John's compulsory pit stop and the time added, well the results may have been different. John was fizzing, along with many others, as John says looking back at the 2023 TT, Dean's bike was 10 mph down on Peter Hickman's BMW, so do you say "well there is a compulsory pit stop" to compensate, that would be utterly crazy, and over 6 laps that adds up to a big deficit, anyway Dean has parted with his team and the Kawasaki, he is intending competing on a new model of the BMW 1000rr, so next year will be very interesting indeed, personally I rate Dean as one of the best current TT riders there is, and given the Honda Michael intends riding will be developed even more, well who would bet on a winner in the Superstock and Superbike races. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.

 

A further disappointment to this years MGP was the accommodation, my son and myself arrived at the hotel at 9.30pm, we were told our room was just being prepared, what at 9.30 at night really, well if their idea was getting the room ready, then I shudder to think what the rest of the rooms were like, the music went on until 4am, it was a bloody disaster, personally the place should be closed until it has a total revamp. The Hotels website is nothing like the reality, it probably was 25 years ago. Pubic hairs in the bed, stains and a a blood spot on the sheets, a shower that had the door hanging off, and to top it all no hot water on 2 separate days. This was the worst accommodation I have ever had in the IOM, and don't get me started on the state of the kitchen, and just in case you got hungry there were a few large dead spiders to munch on.