I'd second all that BSA, back in the day as MGP newcomer I applied as soon as I had a national licence which if I recall correctly was achieved after 10 novice jacket meetings then 10 national restricted licence meetings there was nothing else you had to have and I don't remember the standard of riders being lacking or a lack of newcomers. With reference to the practice time available in such a tight window I can't recall at recent TT or MGP a run of even 5 days when there was no time lost due to weather or red flags etc.....i'm guessing that the newcomers have been absorbed into their relevant classes or have no newcomers been accepted this year ??