August at the IoM?

**Dirtybill** · 27-11-11, 20:07

Thinkin about going to the Classic races in 2012. Tell me everything you know about going. Been to the Island before so am not a complete rookie.Probably fly
into Manchester and rent a car and float over.

**2ptjoe** · 27-11-11, 20:20

Even though it's ' just ' the Manx against the TT you'll still need to book up hotels early.
It's better than the tt
It's not cheap

**ink ink** · 27-11-11, 20:35

It's not as good as the TT.

I seriously thought I could have gone round faster than some of them.

And I'm not a fast rider.

**2ptjoe** · 27-11-11, 21:35

Originally Posted by ink ink

I seriously thought I could have gone round faster than some of them.
.

You may well , but dont under estimate the slower looking riders as they are often the quicker ones. The classic's are a fine example as they are the more skilled riders out there and what they lose in outright speed they make up for in fantastic lines and making use of what top speed they have.

I've been to both TT and Manx and found that whilst the TT has the big names and higher top speeds it also has indifferent riders in open roads and a far more commercial feel to it.
If your looking for a more in depth take on road racing and to enjoy riding the course then the manx could be a better bet. You have way better access to the pits , and the riders just love to chat away about their bikes and how it all works. Tbh , if you get to know a rider or 2 there's always a good chance you could help out in an evening practice in the pits as well something that you wont get at the TT
Bike variety is greater at the manx as well .
If you want to see a rider at his absolute max then yes the TT will give you that but for a greater all round experience then the manx gets my vote for the above reasons

**Dirtybill** · 28-11-11, 04:03

Well, I'm very flexible as I enjoy the "fast" aspect of racing but feel equally as home chatting about some old classic while avoiding slipping on old Castor oil. For the Classics do they just charge one flat fee to view everything or do you have to buy passes to view at different locations? The Missus will be coming also so do the roads and other venues for tourists get closed down frequently? Would like to book a hotel instead of B&B but on the other hand we have stayed in some cool B&Bs before so that's not out of the question either.

Atmosphere is an important part of the whole thing as both of us just enjoyed the ambience of the Island.

**2ptjoe** · 28-11-11, 08:39

Originally Posted by Dirtybill

Well, I'm very flexible as I enjoy the "fast" aspect of racing but feel equally as home chatting about some old classic while avoiding slipping on old Castor oil. For the Classics do they just charge one flat fee to view everything or do you have to buy passes to view at different locations? The Missus will be coming also so do the roads and other venues for tourists get closed down frequently? Would like to book a hotel instead of B&B but on the other hand we have stayed in some cool B&Bs before so that's not out of the question either.

Atmosphere is an important part of the whole thing as both of us just enjoyed the ambience of the Island.

Closed down ?
The place comes alive for the bike racing.
I dont understand the fee concerns, with in reason you can go where you want for free. Yes the grandstands on race day will cost you and i see rumors of different grandstands around the course starting to charge but the course is you orster mate and you can go where you want. Have a chat with people when over there and they can help you with places to watch and routes that you can still use whilst the races are on so you can watch one race from more than one place.

I always say to people that if you like a bit more ' insider dealings ' with your bike racing than the Manx is an excellent 2 weeks. Shame it's held by the bollocks by the ferries an what they charge.
What ever happens , book early for your rooms if your set on going bec ause they WILL fill up early , even more so for race week.
Bollocks, all this Manx talk makes me want to go back over myself !!!

**ink ink** · 28-11-11, 11:57

Originally Posted by 2ptjoe

Bollocks, all this Manx talk makes me want to go back over myself !!!

Me too.

**Tomcat** · 29-11-11, 12:56

It's a great fortnight, simple as. At the risk of blowing my own trumpet read my thread from last year or read my blogs about my experiences over the years. It's all on TRC.

Basically the TT is a big party and lots of famous names. The Manx is a smaller event with more of a family feel and fewer big names, but every bit as exciting. Trust me a 125mph lap is every bit as exciting as a 130mph one. The paddock is also more approachable and riders tend to be found spannering in their caravans rather than hiding from the fans in motorhomes. Except on racedays it's open to the public, free. You don't get sidecars like you do at the TT but instead you get classics and post classics, which look, sound, smell and go great

You can spectate pretty much wherever you like round the course unless it's marked as a forbidden area (safety reasons). Usually it's free but most of the makeshift grandstands charge a few quid and you can often get tea and cakes from the owner. Very civilised. In some locations you have access roads and can move between spectating points but in others once the course is closed it's closed and you are there until it's open again.

There are some practicalities.

If you aren't bringing your own vehicle I'd suggest flying to the Island and renting there. Compare costs against mainland rental but flights are generally quite cheap but the car ferries are bloody expensive.

Get your hotel sorted NOW. I really do mean now, most of them will already be full with bookings made by regular visitors from this years's event. Homestay is a possible option but I know IoMG has been trying to get more people to offer so even that may be going short.

Isle of Man self catering, B&B holiday accommodation, hotels, guest houses and TT Homestay

There isn't going to be a better time than 2012 to go to the Manx. I know people who have been in behind the scenes discussions and IoMG are seriously considering if it has a future. Yes, these talks have been going on for years but never so seriously before. The problem is it doesn't make the money the TT does, an increasing number of the locals no longer want the racing and the insurance costs and bad publicity from rider deaths make it ever harder to justify. Rider numbers are falling and although the Manx MCC has done a good job of revitalising the event the writing is on the wall. If you wait until 2013 you may be disappointed.

Happy to make suggestions here or by PM

**2ptjoe** · 29-11-11, 19:00

Originally Posted by Tomcat

It's a great fortnight, simple as. At the risk of blowing my own trumpet read my thread from last year or read my blogs about my experiences over the years. It's all on TRC.

If you wait until 2013 you may be disappointed.

Forgot to mentionsome of the old classic riders are right old duffers

Do you really think it's that tight Des ?
All joking aside if i thought it was going to be the case it's time i got my leathers out again as i'm doing it one more time , and thats a promise

**Tomcat** · 29-11-11, 19:20

I'd rather be a duffer than get chucked around in the back of a van driven by a Dani Pedrosa impersonator

**Dirtybill** · 29-11-11, 19:44

They're doing 125mph laps at the Manx?!?!?

Holy Shit!!

**Olly** · 29-11-11, 19:54

Originally Posted by Tomcat

I'd rather be a duffer than get chucked around in the back of a van driven by a Dani Pedrosa impersonator

He fucking loved it

Bill - dig out TC's threads from last year, when I went over with him - lots of good stuff in those. I'll post links and stuff later in the week, when I'm back home.

You'll have the time of your life - I know I did

**Dirtybill** · 29-11-11, 20:15

Originally Posted by Olly

He fucking loved it

Bill - dig out TC's threads from last year, when I went over with him - lots of good stuff in those. I'll post links and stuff later in the week, when I'm back home.

You'll have the time of your life - I know I did

Will do.

If you only had a week there, which week would you go?

**Olly** · 29-11-11, 20:23

Originally Posted by Dirtybill

Will do.

If you only had a week there, which week would you go?

Practice week - to stand some chance of seeing most of the classics while they're still working!

Nah, would have to be race week, as I wouldn't be able to cope with leaving, knowing the racing was about to happen.

**Tomcat** · 29-11-11, 21:06

I always enjoyed practice week more while I was riding. You're out pretty much every day and fettling the bike in between. Biking heaven, and with no more morning practices (

) plenty of opportunity to enjoy the evenings

Race week you're just waiting for your big day and then it seems all over in a flash.

As a spectator I'd go for race week though - as well as the races themselves they are doing quite a good job putting on other events on the in-between days and of course it's a lovely place to visit as a tourist.