All set for new look Manx Grand Prix

Professional and Amateur sportsmen in motorcycle sport go back to the beginnings of the twentieth century.  The Isle of Man T.T. Races, first held in 1907, had a mixture of both in the entries, the professionals becoming more prominent as the years passed.

This had not gone unnoticed by the Manx Motor Cycle Club, whose members' provided the vast majority of Officials and Marshals for the T.T., then as now.

The 'Club' progressed the idea of holding a similar race meeting, over the Mountain Course, for the 'Amateur' riders, as they were being outclassed by the 'works' teams, even then.
 
The members of the Manx Motor Cycle Club continued with their resolve to run a meeting, which came to fruition on Thursday, 20th September, 1923.

The 'Amateur T.T.' as the race became known, was run over five laps, a distance of 188.65 miles.  The winner Len Randles, riding a two-year old side-valve Sunbeam, which he used to travel to and from work everyday, received a magnificent trophy, donated by a past mayor of Douglas, Alderman A.B. Crookall, M.H.K., JP.  It was described at the time, as the most magnificent trophy in motorcycle sport, and it has been awarded to the winner of the Senior race ever since.  Its original description is still valid today.

Tuesday and Thursday were adopted as race days, with the Junior class being run as a separate race in 1928.

Whilst 1929 was to be a year of discontent, resulting in the winners of both races being disqualified. In all there were 21 disqualifications, during and after the 1929 races, all based on the definition of the word 'amateur'.  It was the last Amateur T.T.!

Discussions took place between the ACU and the Manx Motor Cycle Club, the result being the birth of the Manx Grand Prix, in 1930, with Junior and Senior races, both over six laps.

Competitors wishing to enter the races had grown to such an extent, that in 1957, the 'Club' introduced the Newcomers' Races, for 350cc and 500cc machines and the Snaefell race was organised in 1958 for competitors who had not ridden in the 'Manx' before. 

With the popularity, and availability of 250cc machines, the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix was reintroduced in 1964, thirty years after the first Lightweight Manx.

Once again pressure on the organisers, by competitors applying for a ride in the "Manx", necessitated the inclusion of a Newcomer's Race into the programme in 1978. With capacity variations, these races have been included ever since.

The sixtieth anniversary of the "Manx Races", the Diamond Jubilee, took place in 1983.  As part of the celebrations, 'Classic' races were introduced. The 'standard' capacity classes were catered for, 250cc, 350cc and 500cc, which continue to the present day.

What had been the traditional race days, Tuesday and Thursday, since 1928, were replaced with Monday, Wednesday and Friday in 1988. 

Nineteen Ninety-nine saw the introduction of the Ultra Lightweight Class into the Newcomer’s Class and also as a Manx Grand Prix Race of its own.

And so to 2009 which sees the introduction of a Post Classic event for 4-stroke and 2-stroke machines, which will run concurrently with the Newcomers Races on Monday 31st August.

The four-stroke class has attracted TT stars, Ryan Farquhar both riding Suzuki XR69 Suzuki’s, with locals, Dave Madsen-Mygdal and Chris McGahan mounted on Triumph Tridents over four laps of the Mountain Course. In addition, Kawasaki and Laverda are represented.

The two-stroke category sees a mixture of RG500 Suzuki; TZ Yamaha, Honda RS, Maxton and Cotton machines and their riders vying for the honour of taking an initial victory in the new race classes at the Manx Grand Prix.

The 2009 Post Classic Race has attracted a total of 31 entries, 10 four-strokes and 21 two strokes – from acorns etc springs to mind!