The DED (and Mr Philips himself) were claiming 10% per annum increases in attendance years before the Classic TT kicked off.  An admirable figure appearing to suggest that the event was doing perfectly well without their input.  70+ newcomers this year - could be a future TT winner in amongst them.  Maybe a good time to remember after this year's TT that Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson are ex-MGP riders (among, of course, many other stellar names).