Manx Grand Prix Visitors Guide : (Updated for 2026)
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the Manx Grand Prix in order to bring you a basic MGP Visitor’s Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course, as well as scheduled race times and other useful information.
History :
The race began in 1923, as a replacement if the TT Races were moved off the Island. Started by the Manx Motorcycle Club, the race was originally named the ‘Amateur TT’ and used the TT Mountain Course over 5 laps. Raced by non professionals, but the term ‘Amateur’ really meant that the rider and stock machine had no manufacture support or reward. The first race had 33 entries each playing an entry fee less then a quarter the price for the TT. The winner of the Seniors Race received a trophy donated by the Mayor of Douglas, Ald. A.B. Crookall, MHK. This trophy is still presented to the winner today. The Motor Cycle Club donated the trophy for the 350cc.
Regulation changes in 1925 allowed any machine type to compete in the races. Donated the same year was the York Trophy awarded for outstanding merit. The Amateur TT was renamed to the Manx Grand Prix in 1930 and from then on it would only take competitors domiciled in the British Isles, which had not taken part in other international races. In 1967, the Manx Grand Prix became a National event, but it would not get a race of its own till 1999.
Manx Grand Prix Course :
The event will be held on the Isle of Man TT Mountain Circuit, which is 60.70km (37.73 miles) in length, on highways, which are closed to the public during practice and race periods. The ACU Course Licence Number is TT001.
The Manx Grand Prix generally runs in August annually and features many of the competitors from the TT Event. It also features a much more diverse bike range and offers a path for new comers to get themselves a step closer to racing at the TT Event.
History :
The race began in 1923, as a replacement if the TT Races were moved off the Island. Started by the Manx Motorcycle Club, the race was originally named the ‘Amateur TT’ and used the TT Mountain Course over 5 laps. Raced by non professionals, but the term ‘Amateur’ really meant that the rider and stock machine had no manufacture support or reward. The first race had 33 entries each playing an entry fee less then a quarter the price for the TT. The winner of the Seniors Race received a trophy donated by the Mayor of Douglas, Ald. A.B. Crookall, MHK. This trophy is still presented to the winner today. The Motor Cycle Club donated the trophy for the 350cc.
Regulation changes in 1925 allowed any machine type to compete in the races. Donated the same year was the York Trophy awarded for outstanding merit. The Amateur TT was renamed to the Manx Grand Prix in 1930 and from then on it would only take competitors domiciled in the British Isles, which had not taken part in other international races. In 1967, the Manx Grand Prix became a National event, but it would not get a race of its own till 1999.
The Manx Grand Prix isn’t contested for the money. It may be a stepping stone to the TT however as an event it is full of history and prestige. The 2023 event marks the Centenary of the Manx Grand Prix and it is globally recognised as a pure road racing standalone event.
There are a number of prizes and trophies up for grabs between the competitors and teams…
The Schedule for thee 2023 Manx Grand Prix has been released.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change and often does. Be sure to check relevant live updates and social media sites for up to date changes.
I was unlucky, in that I was only able to visit on the Sunday, but the overall set up was excellent. I have also heard and read only positive things for the live entertainment on the Friday and Saturday evenings and on may arrival on Sunday I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of all the campers and campervans that were parked up for the weekend and had had the opportunity to enjoy the previous evenings’ entertainment.
As for the Sunday event. It was great. From things getting underway at around 09:30 am there was rarely a time that there was not bikes on the circuit, and there is the secret to a good biking event – get bikes out there and keep things moving.
The only noticeable break, was for lunch, and I am a big fan of how Bishopscourt plans a lunch break, it means you don’t have to decide what session you are going to miss.
Paddock, parade laps and racing…
A quick walk through the paddock early on Sunday morning was a mixture of bikes getting prepped and bacon baps getting made. Bacon, brown sauce and fumes… What more do you want on a Sunday morning?
(The photos in this gallery are my pics of the day. If you would like an non watermarked copy of any of these please get in touch. Photos can be used freely by any of the riders for their own personal promotion or that of the team. For other licensing enquiries please get in touch.)
(These photos in this gallery are ‘seconds’ from the day. Sharpness and focus may not be 100% but they are uploaded to try and cover as much of the field as possible. If you would like an non watermarked copy of any of these please get in touch. Photos can be used freely by any of the riders for their own personal promotion or that of the team. For other licensing enquiries please get in touch.)
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
The Official Down Rally Facebook Page has made this handy schedule for reference for what is going on, where and when for this year’s Down Rally which will run over Saturday 21st July 2023. They have also released the following info in conjunction with the schedule below :
“We’ve been receiving lots of queries regarding our weekend’s event, so we’ve made out a schedule to show everything we have to offer across tomorrow and Saturday!
Don’t miss out on our family fun activities in the centre of Lisburn, where both runs of Drumaknockan and Hamilton’s Folly will be live broadcast on the big screen. Fancy being close to the action? We have parking available right next to our world class jump at the Folly – it’s certainly not a weekend to be missed!
For those looking for more information regarding our stages: we have ideal spectator zones marked out on stage maps, which are all available in our programmes for sale in a number of local shops, as well as on Friday night at the Ceremonial Start.
The countdown is on: less than 24 hours before we kick things off in Market Square tomorrow night!!“
Special Stage Rally Video will also be there, and the broadcast will be available for all to watch from 09:00 hours on the big screen at Market Square, Lisburn.
Following a tragic incident at the 2023 Southern 100 Road Races on 11th July where a Marshal and Rider sadly lost their lives in an incident involving two rider, a Marshal and member of the public the remainder of the event has been cancelled.
Thoughts and prayers go to the friends and families of all of those affected by the tragedy
The Southern 100 Club have issued a statement in relation to the incident and also in showing their appreciation for the support shown by the road racing fraternity.
APPRECIATION FROM SOUTHERN 100 CLUB
The Southern 100 Motorcycle Racing Club would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation of all the kind messages of support and understanding that have been received since the sad and very traumatic incident during practice for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 Road Races on Tuesday evening 11th July which resulted in this year’s event being cancelled.
As promoters, we are extremely grateful to everyone who have been involved in the 2023 Southern 100 for the time, hard work, and dedication in the preparation, running of the event and continued help and assistance as we bring this year’s event to a close after the traumatic Tuesday evening.
To all involved with the incident on the By-Pass we thank you for your professionalism and dedication to your duties, we will be for ever grateful.
To the families and friends of the rider and marshal who died we offer our sincere condolences and to the families and friends of the rider and spectator injured a speedy and full recovery.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
Prior to the 1954 Manx Grand Prix success of Derek Ennett, George Costain and Sid Mizen, the Southern Motorcycle Club held their race meetings at Andreas Airfield.
As a result of double win at the Manx, the Southern club decided there should be a race in the south of the Island and to hold a meeting on what was to become known as the Billown circuit.
In the early 1950s, the Isle of Man Government decided to build a by-pass to avoid the town centre of Castletown, and whilst traffic was minimal compared to today’s motorised Island, the by-pass provided an integral part of the new course.
The first meetings to set up the organisation were held in the Station Hotel, now the Viking, in Castletown, which is where the Ennett family lived. This band of gentlemen with foresight also used to meet on a Sunday morning in the Control Tower at Ronaldsway Airport, with Theo Watterson. In between landing planes, the time was taken up planning the Southern ‘100’!
Amongst the first committee were, George Costain and Joe Mylchreest, who officially measured the circuit, using the official ‘chain’ measure (22 yards) and walked around the course measuring down the centre line of the road. The total official distances was, and still is 4.25-miles.
Southern 100 Racing took over the organisation of the Southern 100 Races in 1981, the Southern Motor Cycle (IOM) Club having taken to decision to separate their two sections, road racing and off-road. However it was the same team at the helm and the races, and the event has grown in stature over the forty years of the present organisers to the reputation the event is held in today.
Since the first race on Thursday 14th July 1955, the 350cc won by Derek Ennett a total of 604 races have been run over the Billown Course, including 145 Sidecar races, with 108,749 racing laps completed, a racing distance of 461,911.520 miles at the end of the 2022 meeting.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
Isle of Man Southern 100 Road Races Visitors Guide :
*** Updated for 2026 ***
Southern 100 Road Races
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular of our posts in relation to the Isle of Man Southern 100 Road Races in order to bring you a basic Isle of Man Southern 100 Visitor’s Guide, to give you an idea and some knowledge of the course, the races and their preplanned times and some of the other racing events on the Island over the period of the Southern 100 Friendly Races.
2026 Event Dates :
The 2024 Southern 100 will run 6th – 9th July 2026.
History of the Isle of Man Southern 100 Road Races :
Prior to the 1954 Manx Grand Prix success of Derek Ennett, George Costain and Sid Mizen, the Southern Motorcycle Club held their race meetings at Andreas Airfield.
As a result of double win at the Manx, the Southern club decided there should be a race in the south of the Island and to hold a meeting on what was to become known as the Billown circuit.
In the early 1950s, the Isle of Man Government decided to build a by-pass to avoid the town centre of Castletown, and whilst traffic was minimal compared to today’s motorised Island, the by-pass provided an integral part of the new course.
The first meetings to set up the organisation were held in the Station Hotel, now the Viking, in Castletown, which is where the Ennett family lived. This band of gentlemen with foresight also used to meet on a Sunday morning in the Control Tower at Ronaldsway Airport, with Theo Watterson. In between landing planes, the time was taken up planning the Southern ‘100’!
Amongst the first committee were, George Costain and Joe Mylchreest, who officially measured the circuit, using the official ‘chain’ measure (22 yards) and walked around the course measuring down the centre line of the road. The total official distances was, and still is 4.25-miles.
Southern 100 Racing took over the organisation of the Southern 100 Races in 1981, the Southern Motor Cycle (IOM) Club having taken to decision to separate their two sections, road racing and off-road. However it was the same team at the helm and the races, and the event has grown in stature over the forty years of the present organisers to the reputation the event is held in today.
Since the first race on Thursday 14th July 1955, the 350cc won by Derek Ennett a total of 604 races have been run over the Billown Course, including 145 Sidecar races, with 108,749 racing laps completed, a racing distance of 461,911.520 miles at the end of the 2022 meeting.p>
Southern 100 Tickets :
As was the norm with most road races post Covid spectating at the Southern 100 still remains free around the Course. There are still prohibited and restricted areas, however around the 4.25 miles there are many excellent vantage points.
The Club also has a number of Grandstands available which offer seating and other facilities such as hot food / drinks, and toilets. Full details of the Grandstands can be found here and these are an excellent way to increase your comfort and support the Club. Tickets start at £5, which to be honest is an absolute bargain!
Isle of Man Southern 100 Circuit and Map :
The Course is 4.25 miles in length and has an average width of 25 feet with right- and left-hand bends. The road surface is tarmacadam. All races will be run in a clockwise direction of the course.
Southern 100 Vantage Points :
There is over 4 miles of circuit to watch the action from, with plenty of holes in the hedges to peek out from from the most notable Vantage Points are :
Start/Finish Line (0/4.25 Miles) Line the fencing down the iconic Colas Billown Circuit Start/Finish line or enjoy the comfort of the grandstand. You will get to see the spectacle of mass start road racing and see who crosses the finish line first. The grandstand is priced at £5 for Monday, £5 for Tuesday, £10 for Wednesday and £15 for Thursday.
Winning Enclosure Our ‘paddock grandstand’ is covered so will keep you sheltered from any rain or sun (we can be hopeful)! The grandstand is priced at £5 for Monday, £5 for Tuesday, £10 for Wednesday and £15 for Thursday.
Ballakeighan Corner (0.55 Miles) Ballakeighan is the first corner on the circuit. Bikes pile into the corner on the first few laps after the mass start. The corner then leads onto Ballakeighan straight.n.
Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer fans the opportunity to get to Ballakeighan from the holding area as we no longer have access to the drive way of Balladoole Mansion. View details here.
Iron Gate (1.11 Miles) Iron Gate comes at the end of the Ballakeighan straight. It is a right hand turn shortly followed by a fast left hand turn that leads onto Ballanorris (Joey’s Gate). The Colas Grandstand is also located here with a great view all the way down Ballakeighan straight and of Iron Gate. The grandstand is priced at £5 for Monday, £5 for Tuesday, £10 for Wednesday and £15 for Thursday. We also have Funky Foods located here for all of your catering needs! There is of course also a couple of toilets.
Ballabeg Hairpin (1.55 Miles) Ballabeg hairpin is the slowest corner on the Billown Circuit. It can be very deceiving for riders, as the camber of the road drags the rider into the corner earlier than they need to turn. There is a public toilet available here.
Cross Four Ways (2.80 Miles) Cross Four Ways is notorious for its overtakes and slow speed low side crashes. It is the second slowest corner on the circuit and usually attracts a large crowd of spectators. Laura and the team from The Barrister Van will be on hand all weekend to keep you refuelled and there is also some toilets.
Church Bends (3.10 Miles) Church Bends is one of the most popular locations for fans. With two fast flowing bends around the walls of Malew Church. There is plenty of parking back again this year (in the back field accessed through the normal gate entrance). There is toilets here too.
Castletown Corner Watch all of the last corner action from the School Hill Grandstand. Our catering team will also be on hand to feed you. There is also public toilets here. The grandstand is priced at £5 for Monday, £5 for Tuesday, £10 for Wednesday and £15 for Thursday.
Southern 100 Parking :
Car Parking for the Southern 100 Motorcycle Show is available in the ‘Day Paddock’ adjacent to the Race Paddock with overspill parking available at the IFGL Car Park close by.
Other ‘Non Official’ Parking Spots are available, but it is impossible to list these here, the best advice I have is to take a ride round the Circuit and see what is available near to your chosen spot. Park legally and safely with respect for the locals and their property and you will be fine.
2026 Southern 100 Schedule :
Please note : This is the provisional schedule and subject to change.
(Save this image for easy access to the Schedule).
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
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