The Manx Motor Cycle Club Ltd is pleased to announce that previous winners of Newcomers, Classic, Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight MGP Races and riders who have previously competed in the TT races will be eligible to enter the Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight Races in 2008 provided they have not qualified to start in any TT solo race on the TT Mountain Course in the last 3 years and have not won a silver replica in any TT solo race on the TT Mountain Course in the last 6 years.

Riders who have qualified to start in any round of any road racing world championship will not be eligible for any Manx Grand Prix race except for the Classic races. Previous winners of Junior and Senior Manx Grand Prix Races will not be eligible.

Previous winners of Newcomers, Classic, Lightweight, and Ultra Lightweight will be eligible to enter the Junior and Senior Manx Grand Prix Races in 2008.

The Ultra Lightweight Race and Newcomers C class in 2008 will also include 4 stroke 2 cylinder machines up to 650cc in addition to the 125cc and 400cc machines that have been eligible in the past.

Riders otherwise eligible for the Manx Grand Prix will not be excluded solely by reason of having competed in the TT Races on the Billown Circuit.

I think there are some good ideas here, no doubt inspired by the falling entries for the MGP, which has been triggered by the ridiculous TT course licence.I always wanted to compete in the MGP rather than the TT,but that was prior to ladies being allowed to enter.Also,there was the age limit in the MGP.There have always been an element of riders who have been a little out of their depth in the TT, but until you have competed, you are unaware how fast you can go, and once you have done the TT you were banned from the MGP, even if you finished last.Now, many of the "also rans" will be able to have another go,allbeit in the smaller classes.Hopefully this may lead to more entries in the two stroke classes,thus keeping them alive, and bikes such as the Suzuki SV 650 can now run alongside them, so introducing some different machinery.Who has instigated these new ideas,does anyone know?A good step forward,I believe

This has come from the MMCC themselves, presumably responding to the extensive consultation Harvey Garton did this summer. Great to see them asking for opinions and then acting on them. there is more about this in the Manx Grand Prix section where we initially posted the news.

Neil Richardson would be a hot favourite in the 250's now. A quality rider who would have won a manx had he not moved to the TT too early.

Carefully considered changes with the rider's interests foremost.
Very well done!!

WOW! praise from Don... praise indeed!!

Russ, you would be the favourite mate without doubt, especially on my the pgp beckons we soon get you into shape. This is a good decision and a good step forward and will generate a good entry.

I am delighted that they are letting former TT riders back to the Manx. I for one wrote to Harvey with this suggestion, and I now know that I was not alone in my view. It is a great way to get the two stroke and 400cc specialists back to the Mountain Circuit. It should be very very positive for the LW and ULWT classes. The only glitch I can see with the changes is for 125GP riders - if 125s hadn't the speed to compete with tuned 400s, then SV650s will be far worse. (Robert Dunlops move to 250s for the NW speaks volumes). If there are enough 125 entries maybe they will get a separate start. I know I am pushing it now but you never know.. But great news so far!!!

"If there are enough 125 entries maybe they will get a separate start." :?:

Where would it end :?:

Allowing 250cc supersport machines in the ultra lightweight instead of the lightweight :?:

Give the 250's a seperate Junior race :?:

Have three different Ultra lightweight class winners :?: (125/400/650)

Have possibly two different winners in each class :?: (previous tt vs manx gp competitors) :?:

THE MIND BOGGLES :?: :?: :?: :?:

:roll: Sigh. I know, why bother having race classes. Maybe you'd prefer races to be for all comers, e.g the first 120 random bikes to be scrutineered in race one, the rest in race two? As per my other post, I am delighted for a lot of friends who can now return to the Mountain Circuit, if they wish to do so.

The exact opposite! I've ridden in the Junior and lightweight races on both supersport 250 and open 250 machinery. Because 250's are my chosen machinery! That's my point

When told of the new MGP rules Brian Spooners reaction was

Really pleased to hear that common sense has prevailed with this decision. It's taken a long time but finally the authorities have made a decision that is fair, logical, obvious and in the best interests of the competitors - and it's not often that you can say that! All that needs to be done now is to add some flexibility and common sense to the TT Course Licence conditions and maybe the MGP will have a decent future after all.

Incidentally, here is what I posted on the subject of the 'MGP amnesty' way back in April 2006:

http://www.ttwebsite.com/forum/viewtopic...ght=#19341