I have been to a very interesting meeting at the Department of Economic Development, which is behind the controversial proposals to revamp the Manx Grand Prix. Along with Charlie Williams I was invited to meet Trevor Hussey, the department’s director of motor sport, and Heather Smallwood, who has headed up the research into the event. The meeting lasted the best part of two hours and gave Charlie and myself the chance to see at first hand the reasoning behind the department’s plans and to ask questions – which we did.
A vast amount of data was put in front of us including the results of focus groups and questionnaire surveys.
There were a number of messages that came across and I’ll try to sum them up as best I can. The department does not want to destroy the MGP but wants to revise its format to better ensure its long-term survival. It admits it has not presented its case very well, and my view is that this was always going to be a difficult ‘sell’ because their own research shows that the MGP as it stands is actually in pretty good condition. It is not in financial crisis, in fact it is a net contributor to the Manx economy. The findings of the questionnaires show that the event inspires terrific affection and loyalty, for example more than 50% of the approx 9000 annual visitors have been coming for 10 years or more, and 40% come in preference to the TT. So when we see clear evidence that the MGP is thriving, the obvious response is: ‘if it ain’t broke…..’
Elsewhere in the research, though, there are other significant findings. The two that caught my attention were that the age demographic of the MGP clientele is growing steadily older, and that there are an increasing number of rival attractions pulling in the sort of people who might come to the MGP, such as the Cholmondeley Pageant, Goodwood, and other festivals of classic motor sport. Spotting threats now is what makes survival more likely in the future. Making the Manx more attractive to younger visitors and competing with rival events in the UK are initiatives which need to be taken seriously. I don’t think this part of the dept’s message has been conveyed well enough. Instead, the debate has become bogged down in arguments about statistics, accusations of breaches of confidence and a breakdown in trust. The department did not help itself by announcing what the new format of races would be without having the agreement of the Manx Motorcycle Club which actually organises them. I think they realise that and they have already amended their original plan, but a lot of damage has been done.
So how can things be moved forward? I made a suggestion to Trevor which I’m happy to place on record here. Use the dept’s valuable research as a foundation for the future structure of the MGP. Set up a new body consisting of the various stake-holders of the MGP (including sponsors and team-owners and of course the MMCC) and charge that body with planning the future format of the festival, both in terms of the duration and the variety of races, TT branding, and so on. And remove the gun to the head by declaring that MGP 2013 will proceed as the MMCC decides and that any changes will only be introduced in 2014.
Either way, there will be no MGP without the support of the Department so all sides need to swallow some pride and be open to proper discussions. When the TT is over I believe the Department will invite the MMCC to resume talks and I’m sure we all hope things will go more smoothly this time.












One biker didn’t have a great evening - his machine was hoisted onto a low loader when he (or she) left the bike parked at the end of pit lane after roads closed ahead of the TT practice session.

