Isle of Man TT or Manx classic?

[azguzzirep]

I'm thinking of going to the Isle of Man next year for the TT race,  but a later event has been suggested to me to attend,  the Manx classic races.

I like old bikes as opposed to new bikes, so the Manx sounds good to me.

Any comments?

[Lannis]

I'm thinking of going to the Isle of Man next year for the TT race,  but a later event has been suggested to me to attend,  the Manx classic races.

I like old bikes as opposed to new bikes, so the Manx sounds good to me.

Any comments?

If you've never watched a GP or TT race (or even practice week) on the IOM, you're going to be blown away the first time those bikes come past you on those roads at racing speed.    Either week is going to be an eye-opener for anyone who rides or appreciates riding ....

Plan ahead.   If you're taking a bike across from Liverpool on the ferry, you need to book WAY ahead, a year if you can ....

Lannis

[pehayes]

Tommy:  Might be some confusion here.  I believe the Manx GP in August is a forerunner or prelude or qualifier to the more exotic IOM-TT in May/June.  There is nothing OLD or VINTAGE about either set of races.  Up and coming riders have to compete in the Manx GP before they can qualify to run the TT.  So, the bikes and speeds are nearly the same.  Perhaps the crowds are a little less at the GP.  There are 'vintage' events happening all week, but not strictly racing. You'll be amazed at either spectacle.  Here is some info from our TT visits in 1997 and 2007.

http://motohayes.com/mgc/iom97/iom97.html

http://motohayes.com/mgc/iom07/iom07blog.html

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Tusayan]

The Autumn Manx GP format includes classic bike racing as well as new bikes.  The schedule of events for Autumn 2020 is here:

https://www.visitiom.co.uk/events/tt-and-motorsport/festival-of-motorcycling/

[azguzzirep]

The Classic TT looks like what I'm after!!

[weevee]

Yes, the Classic's the one for me.  The Island is far less rowdy then, with only half as many (upper age group) visitors.  I camp at Ballamoar (Ballaugh Bridge) most years, and it's even possible to sleep soundly overnight (..which can't often be said when visiting in June, with the guaranteed rowdy bunch camping alongside).  Coffee, tea, biscuits, wi-fi - and even the showers - are all free at Ballamour. 

A big draw at the Classic is the Jurby Festival.  All your old favourite bikes are on track (race & road) - and many of the legends of motorsport (Agostini, McGuinness, Fogarty etc.) mingle with the crowds.  I took my Magni over this year, and it caused quite a stir! (pic taken at Ballaugh Bridge/Raven Pub, only 150yds from the campsite).  Keep an eye open for it next year if you decide to visit.


Steve

[dxhall]

Did you make the travel and lodging arrangements yourself, or did you use a tour agent of some sort?

[molly]

You might struggle to get a booking for the TT in June so go for the classic for a better choice of accommodation.

[bodine99]

Jurby 2020 canceled www.iomraces.com & manx radio have coverage

[john hooper]

Both are amazing events which if you have never seen live you will fall in love with, the main difference in the spectacle  is the speed if the top 10 riders on any bike especially the superbikes at the TT, they are mindblowingly unbeliveably fast,  tv coverage  doesn't  begin to prepare you for the experience of being trackside, everybody should experience the isle of man TT at least once.

[kirby1923]

Since the TT is not a race between riders but rather a race against the clock, if you don't have a favorite rider you might consider going the week before the actual event.
Same riders ,same speeds, same awesome experience but w/fewer people on the Island and a bit better accommodations availability.

Just saying.

:-)

[oldbike54]

 Or you could attend the Southern 100 held on the Island in July .

 Dusty

[Lannis]

Both are amazing events which if you have never seen live you will fall in love with, the main difference in the spectacle  is the speed if the top 10 riders on any bike especially the superbikes at the TT, they are mindblowingly unbeliveably fast,  tv coverage  doesn't  begin to prepare you for the experience of being trackside, everybody should experience the isle of man TT at least once.

Yep, Practice Week is just as good as the Race Week for me ... I don't have a favorite rider, don't care who wins, everyone is going at full race speeds, and between the Manx GP and the TT, if you're watching from someplace like the Sulby Straight, you're not going to be able to tell the difference between bikes coming by at 195 or at 208 MPH, it's still mind-blowingly fast.   

I'd been watching the bikes, in 2011 I think, for a couple hours at Sulby, sitting right at the side-road barricades courtesy of some course marshals, when an oncoming big Suzuki blew its engine at about 190.   The guy saved it, got the clutch in, the marshals jumped out and jerked the barrier out of the way, and racer pulled instantly into the side road.   If you slow down on that road at that speed, two of you or more are going to get killed.

Anyhow, the racer got off his bike, took a look at the wrecked motor, and pulled off his helmet.

He was a small slight bald guy about 40 years old, with little round glasses, and looked exactly like one of the accountants at the company I worked for.   I was shocked.   I don't know why but I was expecting some iron-jawed, steely-eyed cybernetic superman, and here he was just a mild-mannered-reporter type.   

It's hard to believe that human beings can do what they do on that island.

Lannis

[jacksonracingcomau]

Another advantage of classic  tt is timing for foreigners Into old stuff
Couple of weeks later is the the Goodwood Revival, the best motor sport event I have ever been to, fancy dress party with every car and bike you’ve ever heard of.
As many women as men and no-one in the western uniform of jeans and t shirt.
They were trying to do similar at classic tt but not so many takers
Recommended, booking essential, sells out months before, check website

[weevee]

Did you make the travel and lodging arrangements yourself, or did you use a tour agent of some sort?

I'm in the UK, so I just rode to Heysham and caught a pre-booked ferry.  Booking's easy with Steampacket Co: just pick a departure day & time, and pay for the sailing on-line.  Print-out the booking confirmation e-mail, and take it with you to the ferry port as a boarding pass (..they don't send you tickets!) 

I knocked-up some makeshift/quick-detach pannier brackets for my bike, but if you're camping it's probably easier to just mail your tent/luggage to the campsite (..many do this at Ballamour: and it's cheap to do.  The proprietor - Steve - is happy to mail it back home for you).  The campsites don't fill-up during the Classic, so there's no real need to book early - although I do.  I see plenty of vacant spaces when I'm there.  Again, booking on-line is really easy: just pick the days you need and they'll reserve a numbered pitch.  If you do happen to go during practice week, you'll find the site is half empty: it only really begins to bustle a couple of days before the first race.

Ten nights at Ballamour is cheap enough @ around £100.00.  The ferry (return cost for rider & bike from Heysham) will set you back around £160.00 if you book early.  Book very late, as I did last year, and you'll pay £270 for the same ticket - if you can get one!  These prices aren't set to reduce any time soon, either, because Steampacket intend putting the venerable old Ben-my-Chree to pasture in the next two or three years and replacing it with something shiny, new & expensive.

Steve

     

[nobleswood]

The Classic on the IoM is on my bucket list.

Riding down on A & B roads from Glasgow, taking the ferry & camping.

This thread just adds more details to the dream. 

Maybe I can get Old Jock to join in.

[azguzzirep]

Great information,  guys!! Thanks!! I'll send you a.pistcard!!🤣🤣🤣