In the last hour of its existence on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism and Leisure signed a commercial agreement with the Manx Motor Cycle Club creating the Manx Grand Prix Festival.

As well as the MGP races around the Mountain Circuit, it will include events which have previously been organised separately, such as the Vintage Motor Cycle Club rally, the sprint at Ramsey, the Two Day Trial and the Classic Two Day Trial.

The Manx Motor Cycle Club will still be responsible for running the race programme, but the newly created Department of Economic Development will take over course set-up, running the paddock and developing the festival concept in future years.

Chief operating officer Nick Black admits relations between the club and government have been strained in recent years, but believes it's great news for the event: