THE Manx Motor Racing Club's three day Manx Classic sprint and hillclimb event for classic and sports cars gets underway today (Thursday) with the Governor's Sprint.
It will start from the TT Grandstand, Douglas, at noon.
This year's event, sponsored by Celton Manx, will see cars spanning 12 decades of motoring, from a 1909 Riley to a 2011 Porsche, take to Manx roads.
The full entry of 84 cars includes a whole range of mouth-watering classics and a superb line-up of more modern sports cars, with well-known names such as Alvis, Bentley, Bugatti, Austin Mini, Caterham and Porsche slated to take part as well as a 10 litre aero engined Peugeot from 1913.
A new class has been established this year for Edwardian cars, defined as those produced between 1905 and 1918, the same era of cars that once competed on Manx roads for the original Tourist Trophy races which were first established for cars in 1905.
A special trophy, supported by the Manx Heritage Foundation, will be presented to the fastest of the cars competing in this class on Saturday evening.
Chairman of the MMRC Bob Riding said: "The club is looking forward to providing three days of great motorsport for our competitors and motor enthusiasts.
"The Manx Classic is a great opportunity to see vintage, classic and modern sports cars close-up in the paddock and then to see the same cars competing against each other for the fastest time on the course.
"Come and take a look, it's a great day out, and it's free of charge.
"The cars will be on display in the paddock today at the Grandstand and there are good spectator spots on both The Sloc and Lhergy Frissell too.
"I am very pleased with the interest the event has generated, and I would like to thank Bill Mummery and Celton Manx not only for their sponsorship but also for the enthusiasm they have shown for our event."
Director of Celton Manx Limited Bill Mummery said: "What a great line-up of cars, there's something for everyone here, from spectacular vintage vehicles and popular classics such as Minis and Escorts to modern sports cars.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing these cars off the start line.
"The Manx Classic is a great event in the calendar, it helps to promote the Island far and wide, bringing visitors and revenue to the Island and a lot of pleasure to local enthusiasts."
Governors Sprint – today
Roads Closed: 12 noon to 3pm and then 6pm to 9.30pm
Starting from the TT Grandstand on Glencrutchery Road and travelling through Governor's Dip to finish on the A18 Mountain Road, at The Nook on the TT Course 'old road', near to West Drive.
The Sloc – tomorrow
Roads closed: 9.15am to 4.30pm
Taking in a section of the A36 Sloc Road, north of Port Erin and south of the Round Table.
Lhergy Frissell – Saturday
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Roads closed: 9.15am to 4.15pm
From Barrule Park, running out of Ramsey on the TT Course, taking in Ramsey Hairpin, Waterworks and Gooseneck and out towards Guthrie's Memorial.
Lhergy Frissell is the longest hillclimb in the British Isles and takes place on a famous stretch of road which formed part of both the 1904 Gordon Bennett Eliminating Trails and the original Tourist Trophy (TT) course which was established for car racing.
Road Closure information is available from: http://www.manxmotorracing.com/roads.htm and http://www.gov.im/residents/roadnotifications/
For more information about the event see www.manxmotorracing.com
