Leading local team owner Martin Bullock is welcoming the proposals for the 2013 Manx Grand Prix.

There was widespread opposition from the racing fraternity when government announced proposals to reduce the meeting to 10 days, rebrand as a T.T. event and place the emphasis on classic bikes.

But it was recently announced that the format will remain at two weeks, the middle weekend will see classic racing with the modern machinery being raced on the final Wednesday and Friday as the M.G.P..

Martin Bullock says it was important the programme was announced before the start of the 2012 gathering and believes efforts should now be made to market it properly.

And he's encouraged that Steam Packet figures for this year show a 16% increase in bikes coming over:-