wrighty Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 5 hours ago, Max Power said: The standard of MGP Newcomers is higher than ever, they go through a very rigorous selection process these days. Really? My impression is that anyone with a bike and license can turn up and have a go. I may be exaggerating a little, but really, what is the qualifying criteria for the MGP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Phat Tog Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Long way off on that one Wrighty. For UK or IOM based riders there is a minimum requirement that they will have held a national competition licence for at least 12 months prior to the first day of practice. Overseas riders will need to have held an FIM International non-championship licence, also for 12 months. This means that comparative newcomers to the sport in general would not be considered and those applying to enter will have achieved, by the nature of their licence, a certain level of expertise and experience. Further to that, they must also have taken part in enough events prior to the meeting to qualify for their mountain course licence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevster Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 45 minutes ago, wrighty said: Really? My impression is that anyone with a bike and license can turn up and have a go. I may be exaggerating a little, but really, what is the qualifying criteria for the MGP? Details are readily available: MGP-Entry-Forms-and-Regulations Word docs... why don't they do them as PDFs???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 They must also have visited the island and been shown around the course a minimum number of times by a qualified ACU instructor. They are generally expected to take part in one of the Newcomer familiarisation weekends organised by the MMCC, covering aspects of preparedness of yourself and your machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Colombe Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 Here's a video of some Manx Grand Prix practising. I must say, I'm surprised to see them running in such a thick mist @ approx 12.45 mins onward. Can the helicopters fly in that? They always make such a big thing out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrighty Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Times have changed. In the pub last night they'd got old TT/MGP footage playing on the big screen. Don't know from when exactly, but Joey Dunlop was riding. There was rain, spray, standing water on the road. These days if there's a damp patch under a tree in Ramsey they seem to delay the start, and I don't recall them ever going out in rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shake me up Judy Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 I remember watching races as a kid where it was torrential rain from start to finish. Look at some of the old videos and check some of the old lap / race times. Things have changed a bit but there was an old rule that the T.T. races must go ahead whatever. That's still broadly true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxb&b Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Times have changed because the machinery has changed, the bikes are making so much power these days that wet weather tyres are in danger of coming apart before completing a lap. I think that even for the smaller classes this is true as tyre technology has moved on, grip wise, with the tyre compounds being more grippy but softer so not as long lasting. Also there is a lot more H&S these days with regards to helicopter access and general weather conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Colombe Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 God, open the roads already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dilligaf Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 42 minutes ago, La Colombe said: God, open the roads already. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy the Kid Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Still confined to house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevster Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Down Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 10 hours ago, manxb&b said: Times have changed because the machinery has changed, the bikes are making so much power these days that wet weather tyres are in danger of coming apart before completing a lap. I think that even for the smaller classes this is true as tyre technology has moved on, grip wise, with the tyre compounds being more grippy but softer so not as long lasting. Also there is a lot more H&S these days with regards to helicopter access and general weather conditions. Sounds about right...Tyre technology moved on to the point that they are less reliable than the old style tyres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 14 hours ago, wrighty said: Times have changed. In the pub last night they'd got old TT/MGP footage playing on the big screen. Don't know from when exactly, but Joey Dunlop was riding. There was rain, spray, standing water on the road. These days if there's a damp patch under a tree in Ramsey they seem to delay the start, and I don't recall them ever going out in rain. My own opinion is that many riders now ride so aggressively that they are unable to cope with how to race in the rain. Smooth and hold a higher gear always worked for me. Today's road tyres, which Supersport and Superstock bikes use, can cope as long as you choose the right ones, some are almost slicks though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Colombe Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 54 minutes ago, Max Power said: Smooth and hold a higher gear always worked for me. Hmm. Did it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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