While I'm sitting at Hanover Airport and wait for my luggage zone to open, I'm writing this short intro. So bear with me if course maps, links and videos are missing.
The 2017 Manx GP fortnight is set to kick off tomorrow with the newcomers practice session. Along the GP the Classic TT attracts the the stars of road racing. Michael Rutter is set to ride a Ducati, his father Toni rode back then. Michael Dunlop joins the classic Suzuki squad.
I hope there will be a bit of coverage on ITV4. Other than that it is the usual manxradio and live timing links, posted in the '17 TT thread.
My boarding zone just opened, so I'll leave you there for now. Cheers
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
A couple pics from last nights practice . First off, it is my mate Peter 'Moot' Moore #45 , here with his MGP seeded start numbers. All photos following have been taken at the top of Bray Hill.
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
Looks like you are having a good time.
I tried to find out the differences between the MGP and the TT, and as well as finding out that the MGP is more of a low key event (less professionals and more for semi pro & amateurs), I also found a quote from one of the locals which I thought amusing....
From experience, as a non biker (working in Douglas and commuting from Ramsey on a daily basis during both the MGP & the TT) I would say the only difference I could work out is that the bikes overtake you on the daily commute over the mountain at about 180 MPH when the TT is on but only at about 140ish when the MGP is running.
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
Everso Biggyballies wrote: ↑6 years ago
Looks like you are having a good time.
I tried to find out the differences between the MGP and the TT, and as well as finding out that the MGP is more of a low key event (less professionals and more for semi pro & amateurs), I also found a quote from one of the locals which I thought amusing....
From experience, as a non biker (working in Douglas and commuting from Ramsey on a daily basis during both the MGP & the TT) I would say the only difference I could work out is that the bikes overtake you on the daily commute over the mountain at about 180 MPH when the TT is on but only at about 140ish when the MGP is running.
The MGP races are the amateur races. The MGP also holds the Newcomers race and acts as a feeder towards the TT.
Also along the MGP the so called Classic TT is hold. The classics used to purely support the MGP but with growing success of the TT it was decided to run it as the Classic TT on its own feet. I can tell the people here ain't happy about it as it sort of steals the MGP the show. It only starts in the paddock with high profiled classic riders getting the best places in the upper paddock
Meanwhile, I've signed up with the TT & MGP Marshals Assoc and start my career as an MGP marshal at Quarry Bends tomorrow night. I've also become a lifelong member of the Manx GP Supporters Club. Over here so much good things happened to me already, that it is time to give a little back
Tonights practice is called off though due to rain and mist on the mountain. Pub time tonight
The bedroom of my home for the MGP fortnight
Cheers
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
Bruce Anstey inofficially broke the 250cc lap record during last nights practice. I've been out to the famous Creg-Ny-Baa pub with some mates for that session and watched from its balcony.
You'll find pictures of last nights session at my public roadrunners facebook account. There will be no photos tonight, as I'm back to marshaling Quarry Bends. Looks like the mates try to squeeze me into a marshal training course on Sunday so I'll be busy collecting the signatures.
That's it for now and I hope some of you follow it on the timing site and manxradio
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
Good luck with the Marshalling duties Andy. @AndyI noticed on the www.Manxgrandprix.org website they are calling for all marshalls to sign on early for weekend duties so they can maximise the weather. I a sure you got the message anyway, but just in case.
An appeal is being made for all marshals to sign up as soon as possible to make sure the first qualifying session for this year’s Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix gets underway at 5.00pm this Saturday, 19th August.
Club Chairman Harvey Garton commented “with the current weather we are all experiencing this summer, every session is going to be very precious again this year and it is extra important we get Saturday’s session, weather permitting, as we have the extra hour with roads closing at 5.00pm”
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
As the dad of a mate here, who marshaled the course himself, told me: 'You're in the ropes now'
I'll be doing the complete race week with the Auto66 marshals from Scarborough at Quarry Bends now. Means awfully early 5.15 starts in order to catch the 7.18 bus but all worth it. I'll be allowed to drop the bib for the newcomers race on Monday though, so I may get a couple good shots at Quarry farm.
For todays classic racing I be off duty and gonna go to Keppel Gate and Kate's Cottage, from which I enjoyed the Senior TT earlier this year.
Roads close 11am British time for the Lightweight race so tune into Manxradio and fire up the timings
Cheers
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
As I'm getting ready to take the bus to grandstand for marshals pick up service for todays classic superbike race and the newcomers race, with roads closing at 9.30am British time, it is time to update this thread a bit.
Saturdays racing was great, especially the 250s would give me the chills. Bruce Anstey won it by posting a new lap record of 120.475 mph, while mate Peter Moore came home with a lap in excess of 104 mph in only his second MGP. That meant that Peter won a bronze replica.
Bruce Anstey on the Padgetts 250 Honda on the final lap at Keppel Gate
Peter Moore on the Station Garage Yamaha 250 TZ from roughly the same spot
Safe racing everyone
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
Andy wrote: ↑6 years ago
Bruce Anstey on the Padgetts 250 Honda on the final lap at Keppel Gate
Great photo Andy!
Seems like you are packing in plenty of fun and stuff in your 'holiday'.
It is mate. It really is.
Once you been here once you got to be back. This lovely little rock in the Irish sea starts to own you. Just this bloody 9 month to get back for the TT start to worry me.
Just playing the waiting game at the Quarry Bends Hut but it doesn't look too good for anything going ahead today
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
What a tremendous day of racing we had yesterday. First Michael Rutter took the laurels in the Classic Junior 350 race and then Bruce Anstey blasted both the lap record as well as the absolute two stroke record by posting an incredible 127.475 mph laptime in the Senior Classic Superbike race on the Padgett's Yamaha 750, which was wone by Dean Harrison.
Sadly I've got no pics of these races but the Newcomers race.
Got to get ready now for another day of racing. Today the Manx Grand Prix Junior and Lightweight races are on schedule. I heard that both races will be streamed with live video again following the success of the live video stream of the Newcomers race yesterday.
It should be shown at www.manxgrandprix.org from about 10am british time
"Those who risk nothing, do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing" - David Jefferies
Andy wrote: ↑6 years ago
I heard that both races will be streamed with live video again following the success of the live video stream of the Newcomers race yesterday.
It should be shown at www.manxgrandprix.org from about 10am british time
Thanks for the heads up Andy.... I had problems with the link but here is a direct link to the Manx Stream.
Junior Manx GP starting NOW. Just click the link. No need to be a facebook user it seems.
Looks like glorious weather. Safe race to all, and hope you have a quiet day Andy. (From an incident POV as a marshall)
Safe race to all, and hope you have a quiet day Andy. (From an incident POV as a marshall)