Manx Motor Cycle Club chairman Garvey Garton spoke positively about the Manx Grand Prix during his address at the club’s recent annual general meeting.
He made special mention of the continued rise in interest by newcomers to the Mountain Course.
‘We had an increase in entries from first-timers and we were again impressed by their professional approach to riding the Mountain circuit,’ said Harvey. ‘Early in 2014, with the massive help of the Mike Hailwood Foundation, we were able to run two very successful newcomer introduction weekends. The fast, exciting and incident-free Newcomers race was their just reward for all of the effort put in both before and during the event.
‘I am also pleased to report that we already have over 50 potential newcomers for the 2015 Manx. Two newcomer weekends have been arranged in conjunction with the Mike Hailwood Foundation and we are aware that some potential newcomers have already been over on a number of occasions to start to learn the course.’
Harvey, a qualified ACU technical official and former sidecar racer, added that the event had also enjoyed very strong entries for the other classes. ‘Indeed, the entries sub-committee had a very difficult job trying to accommodate everybody. Ultimately a task which proved impossible and regrettably a number of potential riders had to be disappointed.’
He confirmed that the Manx Grand Prix would run over the same programme this year as in 2014, meaning that the Newcomers race would again be run on race week Monday, giving flexibility for the rest of race week.
The club committee was fully committed to working with the Department of Economic Development to grow the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling and deliver another successful event in 2015.
The chairman remains concerned at the amount of practice time and particularly the regular loss of the first practice session and said: ‘The practice schedule is being amended in an attempt to improve matters within the existing road closing times’.
For the first time in the event’s history there was a title sponsor in IMGold, which also sponsored the Newcomers race. Martin Bullock’s Full Factory Winnerswear sponsored the Senior race.
Harvey asked the club members in attendance at the meeting to pay their respects to Manx Grand Prix riders who had died over the previous 12 months: namely Dennis Morgan (1948-1953), Charlie E. Dobson (1967, 1986-1995), David Mason (2013), 1965 Lightweight winner Dennis Craine (1961-1965), Thilo Haefele (2012), Cyril Huxley (1957-1961). Three riders died during the 2014 event - Stephen McIlvenna (2005-2009, the 2009 Junior MGP winner), Tim Moorhead (2012-2014) and Gary Firth (2014).
MMCC vice presidents Brian Mylchreest and Ian Horrox were fondly remembered, along with event marshals John Christian, Michael Clague, David Collis, Bill Fitton, Tony Fulford, Brian Murphy, David Newton, David Nightingale, Peter Robins, Lay See Perks and ambassador Ron Halem.
Harvey finally thanked the many people and organisations fundamental to the successful running of the Manx Grand Prix, such as the various Manx Motor Cycle Club and ACU officials, TT Marshals Association, medics, paramedics, Motorsport Medical Services, Hogg Motorsport Association, Rob Vine Fund, Noble’s Hospital, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, Rex Physiotherapy Services, Ian Hemensley Minor Ailments Clinic, Isle of Man Constabulary, Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, IoM Scout Association, Douglas Corporation, MGP shop staff, MGP Supporters Club, MGP Riders Association, TT Riders Association, Mylchreest Motors, Mike Hailwood Foundation, IoM Steam Packet Co, Sulby Glen Hotel, 3FM, Yamaha Motors UK, Road and Track Motorcycles, G4S, Metzeler/Pirelli, the Departments of Economic Development and Infrastructure.
Harvey Garton ended by repeating the message that the Manx Grand Prix cannot continue without what he described a demonstrably greater number of visitors coming and spending more money over the MGP fortnight.
‘Although the Manx enables so many to take up the Mountain Course challenge and continues to act as a feeder for future TTs, it also has to provide a positive financial benefit to Government. The Manx is now not simply a question of providing races for a growing number of competitors.’
l This year’s MGP is from August 22 to September 4.