(08-08-2010, 11:37 PM)chris Wrote:

(08-08-2010, 10:45 PM)Manx Badger Wrote: Just bought my programme today. Very excited when I found it in the newsagents, it's out a lot sooner than I thought...

I'm sure that like me, many of you have been following the entries as they are received on manxgrandprix.org but I was nonetheless a bit disappointed (to say the least) to open to the race guide and find that there are only 31 entrants in the Junior Classic and 50 in the Senior.

What's going on? I know there has been a gradual annual decline but in terms of grid numbers this is the worst entry I can ever remember. We've lost half a SC field in 5 years. I wonder if it's because people are running a Post-Classic bike instead and feel they haven't got the practice time? Or is the Manx just getting too expensive?

Thoughts appreciated.

Regards
Badger

I think it is a combination of items.1)Sadly many of the Classic riders have just older, and no longer race. 2)Mountain Course Licence-I agree with it in theory, but maybe the 6 signatures/meetings qualification could be reduced to 3-?. 3)The cost of getting to the IOM, maybe increase the discount for the ferry journey.

I am just in the last throws of getting every thing together and even now the cost are just escalating. If i ever sat down and thought what the manx cost, i wouldn't be able to afford it. I have said on many occasions that i don't think people in the know realise what it takes to get to the manx. i have been working from well before xmas, getting the bikes ready, planning rebuilds etc. You just don't have to do this amount of effort for short circuits. Having said that i wouldn't miss it for the world. We need some help.