Manx GP races underway

The Manx Grand Prix got underway this week with the first two races, the Newcomers, and the Senior Classic.

The four-lap Newcomers began at 11.15am on Monday, August 30, with one of the fastest riders in practice, Mickey Grose, hitting a damp patch at the start and falling from his 400cc Honda.

With both 750cc and 400/125cc races taking place at the same time, there was plenty of action. Keith Stewart, Derek Brien and Simon Fulton were heading the 750cc class at the end of the first lap, with Brian Purdy, William Copeland and Martin Jones leading the 400cc/125cc battle.

Refuelling stops took place at the end of the second lap. Race leader Stewart dropped a few seconds from his 30 second lead in the pits, while Purdy was now one minute ahead of his rivals.

Stewart maintained his lead to the flag, winning by 17.4 seconds despite using wet tyres on a drying track. The winning average speed was 108.01mph. The fastest lap went to second-placed Derek Brien with 110.96mph, and third place went to Brendan Desmond.

In the 125/400 race Brian Purdy and his Honda NC35 took the win by 74 seconds over Martin Jones, with William Copeland third. Copeland was particularly foruntate to finish on the podium, as he was focred to complete the race without the use of a front brake lever.

The Classic Senior was won by Derek Whalley on a G50 Matchless, from John Loder on a Nourish Seeley and John Goodall, also on a Matchless.

The next racing takes place on Wednesday, September 1.

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