First run by the Manx Motor Cycle Club in 1923, a century later the Manx Grand Prix is still going strong under the same organisers and running over the same world famous 37¾ mile Isle of Man Mountain Course. The century of racing that has elapsed has seen many changes to the roads raced over, to the machines used and to the speeds achieved, but one feature of the Manx (as referred to by fans) that remains constant is that race winners do not receive any prize money – they race for the love of the sport.
Initially a single race called the Amateur Motorcycle Championship, the event quickly became known as the Manx Grand Prix (MGP/Manx) and the number of races, whilst fluctuating down the years, now totals five at each meeting. Aimed initially at amateur riders, as opposed to the mostly professionals who contested the Tourist Trophy (TT) races over the same course, the MGP has nevertheless provided a stepping stone for many who aimed for a professional race career, with some 70 of its riders going on to win a TT and several of them becoming world champions. Among many notable names to come out of a century of racing at the Manx are Freddie Frith, Geoff Duke, Phil Read, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop, Ryan Farquhar, Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop.
The 2023 Manx Grand Prix will be held from August 20th to August 28th.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank those who made this collection possible, including Mannin Collections, FoTTofinders and Vic Bates for the supply of photographs. We also thank the event organisers the Manx Motor Cycle Club and ACU Events Ltd, for their co-operation.
