A long, hard look is to be taken at the costs and benefits of the Manx Grand Prix. It will be a root-and-branch review, carried out by the Department of Economic Development.

The news, announced this morning (Monday), will not affect plans for next year's MGP. But it could signal changes in the longer-term, as the department seeks to justify the funds poured into the event, thought to be in the region of £1 million a year.

All those involved in running the event will be asked for their views.

The final report is expected next April.

Chief executive at the department is Colin Kniveton:

Listen to the Associated Audio clip - HERE

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(14-11-2011, 11:50 AM)Malcolm Wrote:

A long, hard look is to be taken at the costs and benefits of the Manx Grand Prix. It will be a root-and-branch review, carried out by the Department of Economic Development.

The news, announced this morning (Monday), will not affect plans for next year's MGP. But it could signal changes in the longer-term, as the department seeks to justify the funds poured into the event, thought to be in the region of £1 million a year.

All those involved in running the event will be asked for their views.

The final report is expected next April.

Chief executive at the department is Colin Kniveton:

Listen to the Associated Audio clip - HERE

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I am sure i have seen it quoted somewhere that the revenue from the manx last year was 9 million so if thats right what is there to justify other than some unnecessary govt jobs.

The Department of Economic Development has launched a comprehensive consultative review to clarify the costs, benefits and future potential to exploit the Manx Grand Prix Festival. The review will start with immediate effect and will be completed by the end of April 2012.

The 2012 Manx Grand Prix Festival, which is scheduled to run from 18th August to 2nd September, will not be affected by the review and will continue as planned. The two-week festival currently includes the Manx Grand Prix Races, the Classic Trial, the Two Day Trial and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Festival of Jurby and Rally.

The Department’s Chief Executive, Colin Kniveton will oversee the review, which will be led by the Department’s Head of Marketing, Heather Smallwood and Director of Finance and Development, Sheila Lowe. It will commence with a detailed review of all the costs associated with the event and encompass the event structure, marketing and PR, as well as thoroughly evaluating the return on investment that the Festival currently generates for the Island as well as understanding the potential to further exploit and grow the event. The team will consult with organising clubs, the marshals and all other relevant parties through focus groups and questionnaire analysis.

Colin Kniveton, Chief Executive, commented:

""It is the Department’s policy to ensure that all Government funded events are producing a reasonable return on the taxpayer’s money invested in them, particularly at this time of increasing pressure on spending on public services. The Manx Grand Prix Festival requires significant funding and costs are increasing year-on-year""

He continued:

""However, this is not just about reviewing costs but also ensuring that we maximise the potential of any event that the Island hosts, in terms of generating visitors, obtaining media coverage and stand-alone revenue as well as safe-guarding its long-term viability. While the TT continues to prosper, we have seen other motor sport events encounter difficulties this year and it is in everybody’s interests that we periodically review major events to ensure we are making the most of them for the benefit of the Isle of Man.""

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The findings of the first in a series of research projects, commissioned by The Isle of Man Government’s Department of Tourism and Leisure, into the contribution that Motorsport makes to the Island’s economy have been released following this year’s Manx Grand Prix Races.

The wide-ranging study, developed in association with The Treasury’s Economic Affairs Division (EAD) is designed to develop a greater understanding of the impact and importance of a number of Motorsport events so that their economic contribution can be properly reviewed and evaluated.

The first survey has revealed that this year’s Manx Grand Prix attracted 8,915 visitors to the Isle of Man in 2009 of which the majority, 8,055, travelled by sea. Each visitor spent around £551 during their visit, which lasted an average of 7.3 days, making an overall contribution of £4.9 million to the Island’s economy (and contributing income of approximately £800,000 to Isle of Man Government).

The study also revealed that the North West of England provided the highest number of visitors with 1,970 followed by the Midlands and the South East. The highest number of international visitors came from Australia and Germany with 124 and 113 respectively.

According to the survey, the recently developed classic programme of the MGP proved popular with fans, with a large number expressing their interest in the programme and stating that it was one of the reasons for their visit to the Manx Grand Prix. The event’s enduring popularity was also shown by the fact that over 70% of visitors have been before and over 50% come every year, giving the event a loyal fan base.

The survey’s results will allow the Department of Tourism and Leisure to work with their various partners in these events to ensure that they can be developed to best meet the requirements of local residents and visitors.

Hon Martyn Quayle, MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure commented:

“The research has given us a really good insight into the Manx Grand Prix. We will now look to work with our partners at the Manx Motor Cycle Club to develop the popular areas of the event so that we are able to encourage more visitors to attend and increase the contribution that the event makes to the Island’s economy.”

The research programme will be extended to the TT races in 2010 so that a greater understanding of the event and economic contribution be gained from that event as well.



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I have just read the survey conducted into the visitors to the mgp and on first glance the figures are promising. Over £4.9 million injected into the local economy is welcome news and hopefully will increase as more real roadrace fans come to sample the delights of not only the races but all the island has to offer in August/September.

Some serious thought should be encouraged into promoting this event to existing roadrace fans and motorcycle enthusiasts alike to build on the current nucleus of loyal fans who should be respected for their enthusiasm and support of the MGP

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The outgoing chairman of the Manx Motorcycle Club says he appreciates change is necessary, from time to time, in relation to motorcycle meetings like the Manx Grand Prix.

The Manx government has announced it's reviewing the festival as part of an initiative by the Department of Economic Development.

Any changes would come into effect in 2013.

Bill Bennett, who steps down as chairman in January, says the organisers are not unfamiliar with change, even though some fans will argue 'if it isn't broken, why fix it?':


Listen To Related Audio Clip - HERE

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Manx Grand Prix Regulations 2012 and Beyond



Following on from a successful 2011 Manx Grand Prix, the Manx Motor Cycle Club would like to announce its intention to keep the regulations for the races substantially unchanged for the next three years, with a review following the 2014 event in time for 2015. It is hoped that this will give existing and potential new competitors the confidence to invest in machinery they know they will be able to use at the Grand Prix for the next three years at least.

"substantially unchanged for the next three years" !!!

and there you have it

What is it about the MGP each and every year no clear statement, then the 'economic' comments weave their way to the media at large.....its no wonder the competitors are concerned.


Has a date been given for the release of the MGP 2012 regulations and entry fee's yet or is that down to the DED too?

Its not that long ago no-one heard of the DED involvement, the MGP was over subscribed and the races were actually races. HUMMMMMMMM

Manx Grand Prix Regulations 2012 and Beyond

So as the the Old man returns says, are the three years without any change going to be one year without any change, then hang on again.

They haven't got a clue about what it takes, it time and investment to compete in the manx. Clear as mud yet again

(14-11-2011, 10:46 PM)an old man returns Wrote: Following on from a successful 2011 Manx Grand Prix, the Manx Motor Cycle Club would like to announce its intention to keep the regulations for the races substantially unchanged for the next three years, with a review following the 2014 event in time for 2015. It is hoped that this will give existing and potential new competitors the confidence to invest in machinery they know they will be able to use at the Grand Prix for the next three years at least.

"substantially unchanged for the next three years" !!!

and there you have it

What is it about the MGP each and every year no clear statement, then the 'economic' comments weave their way to the media at large.....its no wonder the competitors are concerned.


Has a date been given for the release of the MGP 2012 regulations and entry fee's yet or is that down to the DED too?

Its not that long ago no-one heard of the DED involvement, the MGP was over subscribed and the races were actually races. HUMMMMMMMM

Is the Manx Grand Prix worth £800,000 subsidy?

A major economic review of the Manx Grand Prix starts this month to assess if the event pays its way.

Department of Economic Development boss Colin Kniveton is overseeing the team which will look at all aspects of the event before reporting back in April.

Mr Kniveton said there was no agenda to axe the event but rather to capitalise on its potential.

"We want to ensure that where we invest money in a sector of the economy we can satisfy ourselves that we are getting a positive return on our investment," he said.

"We want to know that we are optimising it and that no opportunities to increase our return are being missed."

Mr Kniveton said he estimated the government subsidy for the MGP to be around £800,000. In a climate of economic constraint it was appropriate to consider whether money was being used most effectively.

"That's not to cast aspersions on the fantastic work done through the motorsport fraternity," he added.

"But other than the TT it is the biggest event the department sponsors, so we need to make sure it is moving in the right direction and whether we can enhance that return on taxpayers' money.

"These things have to be economically viable," he said.

Asked if the festival faced the chop if it proved to be loss-making, he said: "We would put forward options to return it to the black. Obviously, such a decision would be political, as officers, we simply supply the data.

"I would be very loathe to discontinue the event without giving it a real go. We genuinely believe that there is untapped potential."



The full article is published in the Isle of Man Examinar in shops Tuesday.
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Interesting... my take is very positive.. the MGP is very healthy in spite of the poor state of the world wide economy...!! There are many people out of work, and even countries (Greece, and now Italy) that are not in good shape, yet the Manx lives on..!!! I do not know about other places, but here in the States, the races see an obvious decline due to the economy (along with risings costs)...

Long Live the MGP...!!

Cheers..!!!

Ron