Was speaking to a TT rider at a MGP awards night a few years ago. He couldn't believe we paid for our entries, let alone how much, as the guys at the TT get (he said) free entries and start money. Whether or not that's entirely true the costs of competing at the MGP are massive and not just for the entries. The ferry tickets, wear and tear on the bikes, fuel, tyres etc not to mention the pointless mountain course licence leave little change out of £2000 for the event even without repairs. Sure it's a great event but it uses all your holiday, forces you to arrange your racing schedule around it and blows a big hole in your wallet. I've retired now and one of the big reasons is the cost. While riders continue to be deterred from entering the MGP by what it costs other moves to make it more attractive are really just fiddling with the details. Given the money the Island makes from visitors it's an ongoing scandal that entry fees are high and still rising.