Rally America champion David Higgins continued his march toward a perfect, undefeated season with a victory at the Ojibwe Forests Rally in northern Minnesota over the weekend.

The Manxman and co-driver Craig Drew fended off their hard-charging Subaru teammates Travis Pastrana, and Chrissie Beavis to continue their 100 per cent record this year.

The victory was Higgins’ seventh consecutive win this season at the wheel of his DMACK Tires-shod 2015 Subaru WRX STI rally car.

Higgins has just one round remaining, the Lake Superior Performance Rally (October 16-17), in his bid to be the first driver since rally legend and current Subaru team manager John Buffum in 1987 to complete a perfect season in the USA.

Higgins’ victory was anything but easy after his weekend got off to a rocky start with a tyre puncture that lost him over a minute to Pastrana.

However, thanks to a masterful display of driving, Higgins went flat-out on Friday’s three night stages and clawed back his time deficit and then some, leapfrogging into the lead, where he stayed for the remainder of the weekend.

‘It’s a combination of everything: the work our team puts in, the work we put in, the car, everything,’ said Higgins at the podium.

‘A lot of it is earned confidence as well: like (Friday night) we lost a lot of time to a puncture, then pushed pretty hard and got back in the lead and had the confidence to do it. It’s been awesome.”’

Former motocross star Pastrana was determined to fight Higgins for victory and showed improved pace and confidence on only his second rally of his limited 2015 competition schedule.

Pastrana won four of the seven forest stages on Saturday and matched Higgins’ pace on several stages.

An impact with a large rock, however, lost Pastrana nearly three minutes early on Saturday which helped keep Higgins unreachable atop the leaderboard.

‘David’s a tough competitor, always, and we knew that coming in. Anytime you can take a stage win or two away from him it’s a big deal!’ said Pastrana.

Higgins and Pastrana will be together again in competition at Red Bull Global Rallycross Los Angeles presented by Subaru Tecnica International on September 12-13.

Tomorrow (Friday) will witness the final day of action on the Mountain Course during this year’s Festival of Motorcycling.

Roads are due to close at 9.30am with the MGP Supporters’ Club postponed four-lap Supertwin/Lighweight event getting proceedings under way at 10.15am.

Organisers are then hoping a quick turnaround will allow the four-lap Full Factory Winners’ Wear Senior event to set off at 1pm.

If all goes to plan, roads are set to open at 3.10pm although the programme is subject to change.

The Festival of Motorcycling fortnight will draw to a close over the weekend with the Manx International Two-Day Classic Trial taking place on Saturday and Sunday. See today’s Manx Independent for a preview and timings.

Mountain bikers will turn Archallagan plantation pink this weekend to raise money for cancer charities.

During Paint the Plantation Pink, which starts at midday on Saturday, cyclists will be sponsored to ride around the fire track in Archallagan, which is near Foxdale, as many times as possible in a 12-hour period. Entrants in the women-only event are asked to wear pink in recognition of the four cancer charities being supported.

The sponsored ride has been organised by Melanie Dowling as part of her fundraising for the sixth Women V Cancer Challenge.

Melanie is due to cycle 450km through Vietnam and Cambodia over six days in November 2016 to raise a minimum of £3,200 for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

In addition to sponsorship from Paint the Plantation Pink going towards those charities, one quarter of everything raised on Saturday will be donated to the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

Corporate service provider SMP Partners is sponsoring the event to meet the organisation costs, ensuring all money raised goes directly to the charities.

Mark Denton, managing director of SMP Partners, said: ‘We were delighted to be able to give our support to an event which should not only be great fun, but will also raise vital funds for four important charities.

‘I hope the community really gets behind Paint the Plantation Pink, filling Archallagan with colour on Saturday and raising as much money as possible. I also wish Melanie all the best as she prepares for her Women V Cancer Challenge.’

Paint the Plantation Pink starts at midday on Saturday. During the day a treasure hunt will take place and refreshments will be available courtesy of Flo the Coffee Van. Flo will be donating all profits to the Manx Cancer Breast Cancer Support Group.

To find out more, contact Melanie on 483248.

Telecommunications company Sure has opened the doors to its new-look store in Strand Street, Douglas.

TT legend John McGuinness arrived on a motorbike to launch the store and meet with delighted fans.

The new-look store gives customers what has been described by a spokesman as a ‘new digitally interactive shopping experience that helps them choose the phone and plans they want as well as self-serve top-up and bill payment kiosks, which will reduce queue time.’

Sure has installed large touchscreens which enable customers to put together their own packages, compare phones or simply email information to themselves that can be perused at their own leisure. In addition to the interactive touchscreens, the new shop has been given a very modern makeover with stunning video screens wrapped around the interior.

Sarah Jarvis, marketing and PR manager at Sure Isle of Man, said: ‘The new, interactive shopping experience is an exciting development for Sure in the Isle of Man and is the latest innovation we’ve brought to our customers in what has been a very busy 2015. We’ve listened to customer feedback when designing this new shop and all its great-looking features will also contribute to shorter waiting times for customers.

‘Anyone is welcome to pop in for a coffee in our lounge area; youngsters can watch a film or play on one of our iPads while their mum and dad browse our products or sort out their contract.

‘We have been delighted with the feedback from our customers and having John McGuinness to open the shop was the icing on the cake for us.’

A former Ballakermeen High School student has inspired Manx charity Junior Achievement to establish an intern scheme.

Nick Collins was a member of the team Simple Minds that won the Junior Achievement Company of the Year competition and went on to participate in the European finals held in Estonia in July 2014. It was after this experience that Nick wanted to give something back to the charity so gave up his summer holidays to volunteer in the Junior Achievement office.

He was later offered a part-time intern role and after 12 months of volunteering and working with Junior Achievement has now left to take up full-time employment with software development company PDMS.

Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘We were pleased but at the same time also a little sad when Nick said he was leaving. Pleased because his talents have been recognised by PDMS - a company that happens to be a long-time supporter of Junior Achievement - but also sad because he’s been such a valued member of the team, creating fantastic websites and graphics for our charity. He’s also passionate about Junior Achievement and would often work weekends and evenings unpaid.

‘Nick is an excellent example of what a young person can achieve if given the contacts and the opportunity. Although he’s no longer working for us he will remain a volunteer and we have no doubt Nick will be supporting us at future events.

‘Junior Achievement has now created an annual internship to give one Manx student the opportunity of working with our charity in the hope we can give them a platform to develop their entrepreneurial skills and go on to achieve bigger and better things.’

Nick Collins said: ‘The Junior Achievement company programme has increased my confidence and self esteem dramatically. I was very shy and quite nervous before taking part but the programme allowed me to network with business professionals, including Chris Gledhill at PDMS, and test myself in a commercial environment.’

‘After returning from Estonia in July 2014 I thought I should give something back to JA in return for the life-changing experience they gave me, so Sue let me undertake a month of work experience and then in December offered me a part-time job.

‘During my time at JA I have grown further in confidence and learnt many new skills. I have helped them to develop two new websites and I am currently finishing the new JA website.

‘JA also took me to Berlin this year with Elixir, the winner of the Junior Achievement company programme 2015, to experience the European finals all over again. Overall the experience has been extremely beneficial and I would strongly recommend any student to take part in the company programme or volunteer for Junior Achievement as the outcome can be life-changing’.

To find out more about the internship scheme and the work of Junior Achievement, contact Sue Cook, 666266.

sue.cook@jaiom.im

The Vintage Motorcycle Club held a meeting at St John’s on Tuesday.

Photographer Mike Wade captured the scene.

SMP Partners has promoted Ted Pepper to senior manager and head of gaming risk and operations.

Ted, who joined the firm in 2009, is responsible for operational and regulatory risk management and compliance within the eGaming department and is the money laundering reporting officer on a number of Isle of Man-licensed gaming companies.

SMP Partners has also announced the appointment of Neil Young to its gaming department.

Manx-born Neil joins the company after working for seven years at a well-known Irish online bookmakers in Dublin and Guernsey.

SMP Partners is the Isle of Man eGaming sector’s dominant provider, representing more than half the island’s licensed gaming companies.

It is the third largest employer of gaming professionals in the island, with a 30-strong gaming department.

Since joining the SMP Partners’ team, Ted has overseen the provision of regulatory compliance and monitoring on a wide range of business sectors.

In addition he is nominated officer for several UK-licensed gaming companies, and recently achieved Fellowship status within the International Compliance Association.

Before joining SMP Partners, Neil was operations executive in the eGaming division of a large gaming firm, and also gained experience in the business’s customer service, customer operations, fraud/risk and payments departments. He was chiefly based in Dublin, but was also seconded to Guernsey to assist with the migration of a casino licence between jurisdictions.

Group director David Hudson said: ‘Ted’s knowledge of the operational and regulatory risks associated with eGaming has proved vital to us as we have grown our involvement in this sector and achieved the market leading status we have now. Ted will continue to play a key role in our business as we develop new services offerings to meet the changing demands of this dynamic sector.

‘With many of our clients now holding multiple licences from multiple jurisdictions, the compliance, regulatory and operational demands are significant and the complexities involved require much greater focus and resource.

‘Ted’s promotion and the recruitment of Neil, an experienced industry specialist, demonstrate our Group’s commitment to meeting our clients’ needs in this critical area and enhances our ability to bring real value to new and existing clients through the specialist knowledge inherent within the team.’

Walkers are being urged to sign up for this year’s Julie Brew Memorial Walk, which will take place in the west of the island next Sunday, September 13.

Organised by the Western Athletic Club and held alongside the Peel 10 running race, the 10-mile event is usually staged in early October but has been brought forward this year to avoid clashing with other events.

Entries will be taken on the day and signing on for both races takes place from 8am at Market Place in Peel.

The walk, sponsored by Kirby Garden Centre, will start at 9.15am. Those taking part in the run, sponsored by the Creek Inn, and walkers forecast to complete the route within 90 minutes will head off at 10.15am.

Post-race refreshments will be served at Peel Football Club on Douglas Road.

Mother-of-two Julie was a popular Peel hairdresser who ran the Headstart hair salon in the town alongside Claire Van Renen. She died suddenly in 2008 from a previously undetected heart condition.

The walk has been held each year since her death, raising money for charitable causes. For further information, contact Rosie Morrison, on 408450 or Louise Kneen on 456217.

Isle of Man Friends of the Earth (FoE) are co-ordinating a beach day in Port Erin on Sunday, as part of an FoE campaign for clean bathing water.

The event, supported by a number of other local groups and organisations including Manx Wildlife Trust, Beach Buddies and the Manx Society for Marine Conservation among others, is from 11am to 4pm with a lunch break at 1pm.

There will be taster sessions of snorkelling courtesy of Discover Diving in the morning, and dinghy and kayak sailing courtesy of 7th Wave morning and afternoon. Numbers are obviously limited so it is first come first served.

There will also be rock pooling, beach volleyball and various family beach games.

This is an opportunity to celebrate the island and the numerous outdoor activities it offers, as well as sending the positive and important message that island residents have an interest in making the whole of our waters as clean as possible.

Sure-sponsored Vagabonds kick off their 2015-16 season this weekend with a tough away fixture to The ‘Gentlemen’ of Moore.

Last season Vagas lost 24-46 to Moore at Ballaflectcher and were unable to seek revenge as the return fixture was postponed.

Following a league restructure Vagas now find themselves playing in Cheshire (South), along with Ramsey, which contains several of the old familiar rivals together with some less familiar opponents.

However, Moore is well known to the Ballafletcher outfit and after a gruelling pre-season training schedule which included two warm-up matches against Nomads and Douglas, Vagas are chomping at the bit to commence league action.

This season will see the ex-Terenure College and Bay of Plenty scrum-half Leigh Kennaugh take to the helm it what is said to be his 20th and final season. Kenno is no stranger to leading Vagas as given his vintage and has successfully captained the first team on two previous occasions.

Selection is still being finalised at the time of going to press but indications are that the front row will contain the established trio of Luke Purdy, James Clarke and Kev ‘Pinocchio’ Birchall accompanied by the wrecking ball Jo Louw and Matty Williams in the back row.

The backline is sure to contain plenty of fire power with the likes of Aidan O’Shea, Sam Liver and Steve Gawne despite the absence of regular centre pairing Ross McCulloch and Tom Gascoyne (honeymoon).

Although it could be said that Vagas are missing a few key players, this is still a very winnable game and as long as they stick to their game plan, execute their chances and dominate up front they should find themselves returning home with the points firmly in the bag. This game is also special as it marks the start of what will be the club’s 50th anniversary year.

Saturday’s Fixtures

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Sefton v Douglas @ Sefton ko tbc

Cheshire (South)

Heaton Moor v Ramsey @ Heaton Moor ko 3pm

Moore v Vagabonds @ Moore ko 2pm

The rate of inflation in the Isle of Man has risen - but, according to official figures, things still cost less now than they did 12 months ago.

It means the Isle of Man is still under deflation.

The Consumer Prices Index shows a rate of MINUS 0.8 per cent for August. That’s up from minus 1.5 per cent in July.

However, under a different measure, the Retail Prices Index, inflation is 2.6 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in July.

The Consumer Price Index excludes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance.

The big movers included oil and other fuels, which dropped by 26.4 per cent.

There’s a chance of more home success in today, Friday’s, Manx Grand Prix races.

Ramsey’s Andrew Dudgeon is among the favourites for this morning’s (10.15am) MGP Supporters Club’s SuperTwin GP having qualified third behind visitors David Bell and Rob Hodson with a lap of 110.833.

Last year’s Newcomers B race winner Dean Osborne could also feature near the top of the time charts after the Douglas man qualified sixth quickest, two places ahead of Andreas’s Derran Slous.

In the concurrently run four-lap Lightweight race Dave Taylor, Richard Bairstow and Dave Corlett look set to be the highest placed Manxies after qualifying eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.

The event’s blue ribbon race, the four-lap Senior Manx Grand Prix, looks set to be a cracker, with Wednesday’s Junior winner Billy Redmayne due to battle it out with the Malachi Mitchell-Thomas (who clocked a 120.537mph lap in qualifying), Michael Moulai and Manx duo Paul Smyth and Andrew Dudgeon.

The touch paper will be lit on that one at 1pm.

The Isle of Man team has touched down in Samoa ahead of the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games which begin this Saturday.

The seven-strong team selected to represented the Isle of Man in the Pacific island will compete in four different sports over the week-long event. Swimmers Niamh Robinson, Brody Hewison and Alex Bregazzi, athletes Catherine Reid and Josh Hewett plus Mathew Rennie (boxing) and Charlotte Harris (Archery) will join up to 1,000 youngsters aged between 14-18 for the event.

The action takes place in the nation`s capital, Apia, across two complexes that will play host to aquatics, archery, athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rugby sevens, squash, tennis and weightlifting.

The team left the island this week and their round-the-world journey took them through Los Angeles before heading over the Pacific to Samoa.

The next CYG is due to be held in 2017 but the venue is uncertain after previous hosts St Lucia were forced to withdraw. The Caribbean island’s preparations for the event were hit by doubts over venues and financial concerns, particularly over the lack of a venue to host athletics after the national stadium had to be converted into a medical facility following a serious fire at a hospital in the south of the island.

Scotland and Canada have been approached to step in as hosts.

l For the first time, the Commonwealth Games proper will head to Africa after Durban was awarded the 2022 Games. The east coast city in South Africa won the right to host the event after rival bidder Edmonton withdrew in February for financial reasons.

We look forward in the west of the island to a new era in Manx politics, through the joining together of Glenfaba and Peel from September 2016.

I would consider it an honour to serve as MHK for the parishes of German and Patrick for the intervening year.

Whilst much of the national focus has been on balancing the books, local issues in Foxdale, St John’s and Patrick Village have been central to conversations on the doorstep and these will be key, if elected.

For example, extensive repair work needs to be done to the Foxdale clock tower, which is an iconic feature of the village, before government hands this over to the commissioners. There is also disappointment in the way the old Tackle Box has been left after demolition. The site is ugly and potentially dangerous and in my opinion contravenes the planning permission given to the Department of Infrastructure after the minister had overturned the decision of the planning inspector.

However, the underlying cohesiveness in a community is the value we place in creating a sustainable environment for our children and grandchildren, in which they have an opportunity to enjoy the prosperity and culture of our beautiful island.

Our national parliament must be careful not to introduce legislation that will undermine our core values either through changes to child care provision or taxation.

How we care for those who consider themselves disenfranchised from the mainstream of society whether financially, socially, politically or though health issues is a key test for any society.

I will work tirelessly to give opportunity for engagement through communication and personal meetings. The older generation are weary of accusations that they are a burden and a drain on society.

There are two recently published reports by WRVS in 2011 and ‘Age, Northern Ireland’ in 2015 that demonstrate the over 65’s are net contributors to the exchequer.

There is wisdom, experience and generosity of spirit that shows itself through their child and caring duties they offer and the support they show for the work of Isle of Man charities.

I would like to see established a commissioner for older people which would fit well with the proposed themes in the ‘single legal entity’ government consultation currently underway.

Recently I have been chairing a group who want to see a Manx credit union established on the island. We are one of only a handful of countries in the Western World that do not have ‘fit for purpose’ credit union legislation. This is denying those who feel financially excluded or those wanting to enjoy a different way of managing their finances.

A credit union is based on a mutual model where the profits are returned to the members without dilution from shareholders or directors. There are over 206 million world-wide members of credit unions in 105 countries.

The Isle of Man community values the services its local post offices as a high priority and a credit union fits in well with these concepts and values.

www.davidtalbot.org

Constituents of Glenfaba may recall that I stood in the general election for Glenfaba in 2006 and 2011.

I am also a German Parish commissioner which means I am familiar with local problems in the constituency.

Long run-ins to previous elections enabled me to carry out elector surveyors to sample opinion and get a feel for people’s aspirations.

The short time scale this time precluded that, but I have canvassed the whole constituency and as always sadly not spoken to everyone.

Local issues as always feature prominently.

However on the national stage having had a number of in-depth conversations, there is great disappointment with the present administration.

They started with good intention but opportunities were lost and we now have a fairly demoralised public sector worried about job security, work shift patterns, lack of positive leadership and great uncertainty surrounding pensions.

Latterly the government has prioritised economic growth and this is a step in the right direction. However, saying you are prioritising and then delivering are two different things. On the other hand the private sector requires certainty, light touch regulation, fiscal encouragement, easily accessible loans and a favourable tax regime.

Big businesses operating on the Isle of Man and threatening local enterprise, whilst paying little or no direct taxation, need to be faced down.

The cost of transport to the island affects tourism and has a knock on affect for many small businesses. For the future this needs addressing.

My priority will undoubtedly be economic growth to deliver extra tax revenues to pay for all the good things we want like health, education, policing, social services, pensions, roads etc.

We also urgently need to re-energise the public sector and improve morale with positive leadership for a certain future. Everyone has a role to play in viable communities.

I am also a great believer in constituency work and would welcome better interaction between government and local government.

Many believe that MHKs should concentrate on national issues, I agree to a certain extent but ignore local issues and you simply won’t get re-elected. You have to be capable and willing to address both. Sadly many of our national politicians lack business skills as well as off-island experience.

I come with all these having built a number of successful businesses and am familiar with providing what the customer wants, paying attention to detail and dealing with regulation and legislation. All skills required by effective politicians.

If Glenfaba decides to elect me I pledge to use this experience to the best of my ability, but in addition, stay in touch in a transparent way with constituents so they know what I am doing and why.

Some have commented that I seem too busy in other spheres to be an MHK. However, many of the off-island political contacts may be useful in the future.

I can assure constituents that if elected the majority of my off-island commitments will cease and I will concentrate my effort on being Glenfaba’s MHK and an effective member of Tynwald.

For a tribute band, Pigs on the Wing are phenomenal.

The music of Pink Floyd is amongst the most challenging, listening to them is like a voyage through history as their influences include jazz, blues, soul, gospel, folk, classical, even making a brief foray into disco with funky baselines and toe-tapping in between the haunting lyrics and almost baroque feel to the more stately numbers.

It is easy now to mock progressive rock and its triple albums and pomposity. But it also gave us music like this.

POTW are all consummate musicians. They have to be.

The band has undergone several metamorphoses over 20 years and the line up now includes Richard (Dick) Raine on bass, Chris Glaister on keyboard, and Steve Leach on drums with guest saxophonist Brian Foley who flew in for the Gaiety gig from London.

They were joined by a whole family singing backing vocals; music scene stalwarts sisters Louise Earner and Jo Callister and Jo’s husband Juan Callister making his debut. They were perfect.

At this, their 20th anniversary concert, founder members Pete Williamson and James Craig had every right to be pleased as the sellout crowd roared their appreciation as 23 songs were played to near perfection.

Starting with Shine On You Crazy Diamond the band exploded onto the stage to a brilliant light and laser show from Justin McMullin and ELS, videos playing constantly on the big circular screen as the venerable Gaiety stage rocked with Marshall stacks, multi-guitar stands and a fantastic sound system that was a pleasure to behold.

Pete and James started the band while at QEII having been inspired by the Pulse album. At the time the only place a young band could play was at the Iron Pier in Ramsey, under the watchful eye of landlord Mick Hegarty.

They were an instant hit and attracted a very loyal following which continues to this day, and the heckling from the audience between songs was good-natured, winning a grin from the band.

The Gaiety is not used to rock audiences and this concert did not sit well with some.

Rock concert audiences are used to moving around, going to the bar when they want and standing up, whistling and cheering as well as the aforementioned heckling.

Try doing that during Phantom and see what happens. There was a lot of audience movement during the set which started at 7.45pm with one of James’s other bands In The Blood who did a full set of self penned numbers.

All power to James; he played until 11.30pm with very short breaks during which time I imagine he put his hands in a bucket of cold water.

This was their only gig this year. What a shame.

From the ashes of recently reformed and long time local favourites Maldune, 3 Million are a band that have been doing the rounds on the Manx live scene for a few years now.

The band that sees Chris Honour on vocals and guitar, Joe Crookall on bass, Gary Smith on guitar and Matthew Woods on drums completing their line-up, specialise in what you would commonly term as Indie, Rock, Pub Rock or whatever you want to call it.

That may sound like a quick and easy route to 
pigeon-holing the 
sound and the style of this originals band and maybe it is?

That said, this band is great at what they do.

Influences range from The Stereophonics, Oasis, Shed Seven and various others of that ilk from the 1990s, all of which can be heard on their recently released debut album.

The album, released in June, comprises 10 new tracks.

The five-piece band complete their pretty hectic Manx Grand Prix gig schedule with an appearance at Amber in the Loch Promenade in Douglas on Saturday night.

The doors for this free show open at 8pm and the band are due to hit the stage just after 9pm.

For more information on the comings and going’s of this very busy Manx band, visit www.facebook.com/3MillionIOM

The Gentlemen’s Musical Emporium is a band that formed in 2012.

While not being the most prolific with regard to their live schedule they certainly put on a great show when do they venture out to entertain the masses.

Not easily definable (although the band term themselves “Steampunk”) The Gentleman’s Musical 
Emporium have only the Mr Hyde EP, released back 
in 2013, under their belts so far.

As it happens, this Saturday sees the band venture out to make an appearance at The Rovers Return in Douglas.

Expect the band on-stage somewhere mid evening for this free show.

For further information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/TheGentlemansMusicalEmporium

-------------------------

Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

The JCK Division Two season returns to action this weekend following its Classic TT-enforced break.

A full progamme of fixtures takes place around the island, with the pick of the bunch seemingly being at Ballafletcher where Douglas Royal host Gymns.

Although obviously very early in the campaign, the sides lie next to each other in the fledgling league table with Gymns in third one place ahead of the Whites, although the latter have played a game less.

The Tromode side have been in fine goal-scoring form already which will give them hope of claiming the points on offer, but home advantage may just swing this match Royal’s way.

Bragging rights will be up for grabs in the south of the island on Saturday when Castletown host neighbours Malew at the Stadium.

The two sides lie next to each other in the table, with Town ahead by virtue of a positive goal difference and and another tight contest could be in store.

Early leaders Douglas Athletic will be favourites to make it four wins from four when they head to Billy Goat Park to face Foxdale, but the hosts will be eager to claim their first points of the 2015-16 season.

Another team enjoying a fine start to the season is Colby who will be hoping to maintain that when they travel to the Nivison Stadium to face Onchan, while elsewhere in the second division Governor’s Athletic will be hoping for their first ever win when they visit Pulrose United and Michael Utd face Douglas and District.

A skateboard jam will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at Braddan skatepark, from noon until 3.30pm, to raise money for an indoor community skate ramp for the park.

The skateboard jam, held by ISBskateboarding, will include music, a barbecue, raffle, and over 16s and under 16s skateboard competitions with prizes from skateboard makers Love N Skate Skateboards and clothing brand Carhartt W.I.P.

Entry fee for the raffle and competitions is £3.

Thrill-seekers are revving up for the annual Drag Fest which takes to the tarmac at Jurby Airfield this weekend.

The event, now in its fifth year, is organised by the Manx Drag Racing Association in partnership with Straightliners and attracts two and four-wheeled vehicles from all over the UK.

Star attractions for this year’s Pokerstars-sponsored Drag Fest include the Postman Pat Van, holder of the Guinness world record for the ‘world’s fastest coin operated ride’. Tom Armitage from Leeds along with his buddy David Taylor built the Patvan which is capable of running the quarter mile in under 12 seconds!

Among the locals will be Malcolm Forbes of Sulby with his supercharged 5,700cc slingshot Dragster and Ian Merryweather of Ballaugh who will debut his supercharged 6,100cc 1938 Fiat Topolino.

Anyone with a roadworthy vehicle and full licence can enter the event, which is free for spectators. Gates open at 9am on Saturday and Sunday.