The TT Grandstand and paddock area is expected to be at the centre of the action for this year’s Manx Grand Prix Festival with a number of exhibitions lined up for the area.

Fans can also enjoy free grandstand seating throughout the Manx Grand Prix practices and race week, including all of the MGP Classic and Post Classic Races. Temporary pit garages have been installed in the paddock and allocated to some of the competitors in the Classic and Post Classic Races, giving fans the chance to see the machines close up.

Retail Unit One, situated beneath the main grandstand, has been earmarked for the Getty Images exhibition ‘100 years on the Roads’, curated by legendary commentator Murray Walker MBE. The exhibition was originally shown in London in 2008 at the Getty Images Gallery in the West End and features shots from their archive of many of the leading names and historic moments in the Island’s Racing history.

One of the most successful teams in MGP history, Martin Bullock Racing, will be displaying some of their MGP winning bikes in Retail Unit Three. The 7 bikes on display, including Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle’s 250cc and CBR 600cc Honda bikes from his 1999 MGP double victories , have won a total of 14 MGP races.

The paddock will also feature some of the world’s leading Suzuki race bikes in a marquee behind the grandstand. The collection, owned by Steve Wheatman, includes some of the ‘Team Classic Suzuki’ Race bikes that compete in events around the world.

The free entry exhibition, sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, will include a number of bikes raced by Barry Sheene including his works XR27 that he rode in 1979, the XR35 that he raced in 1983 and the XR45 from his final year of racing in 1984. Bikes raced by legends such as Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Franco Uncini and Valentino Rossi’s father Graziano will also be part of the exhibition.

The exhibition will also feature race bikes with an Isle of Man connection. Percy Tait’s 1976 RG500, Norman Brown’s 1982 Senior TT winning RG500 and Joey Dunlop’s 1987 Honda RS250 will all be on display.The bikes have been restored and prepared by ex factory mechanics including Paul Boulton and Nigel Everett and many of them are in full running order ready to be raced in classic meetings.

The new festival website – http://www.mgpfestival.com - will carry details of all of the places to enjoy this year’s events, including latest news, spectator information and results from the Manx Grand Prix, the Manx Two Day Trial and the Classic Trial as well as a detailed section on the VMCC’s events and activities.

Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK, Political Member for Isle of Man Tourism commented:

“With its special atmosphere and attractions, we want to encourage as many people as possible to come to grandstand and experience this special event, and indeed enjoy all of the elements that go into the Manx Grand Prix Festival. There will be plenty to see and do in the main paddock for all motorcycling enthusiasts and their families.”