This year’s Manx Grand Prix saw another rise in the number of visiting bikes, up 9.4 per cent on the 2011 festival, which in turn rose by 12 per cent on the preceding year.

A total of 2,890 motorcycles travelled to the island during this year’s festival, up from 2,641. While overall passenger figures (27,264) and those for cars/vans and trailers (5,486) were on the increase, the rises were very small compared with the number of bikes – an extra 136 passengers visited this year, and 15 extra cars/vans and trailers.

The rise in number of bikes caps a successful year for local motorcycling events, with increased numbers attending both the TT and Southern 100 meetings.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said:

‘It’s a pleasing trend, not just for the Steam Packet Company, but for the island as a whole, to see our motorcycling events continuing to attract more and more visitors. We have a long-standing affiliation with the MGP, through offering discounted travel to competitors, marshals and paramedics and it’s great news that the festival continues to increase in popularity.’

This year’s MPG festival saw the Steam Packet once again sponsor the Newcomers’ Race, won by Kamil Holan, the first rider from the Czech Republic to win a race at the Manx Grand Prix.



.