The return of a full fortnight’s activity for the amateur Manx Grand Prix and reintroduction of the Classic TT heralded a record-breaking number of visitors.
According to the Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry line, it shipped in 31,406 passengers for the overlapping events, which ran from 17 to 29 August. Theis was up from 26,296 last year, and was reportedly the highest since 1993. The previous record number of inbound ferry passengers during the Manx GP had been 29,824.
This year, the extended schedule and return of the Classic TT brand provided a big boost. But it wasn’t without some embarrassment for the Steam Packet. On one occasion, the flagship ferry Manxman had to be chaperoned to its berth in Douglas harbour by a tugboat, with passengers stood by for an emergency evacuation, because the vessel’s machine room was full of smoke.
Meanwhile, reserve ferry Ben-My-Chree, which was loading in Hexham harbour, had a parallel mishap. Rumour has it that crew members had heard of the Manxman’s troubles and were laughing so hard that they dropped a lorry onto their external freight deck’s fire safety equipment, which then had to be repaired before the Ben-My-Chree could put to sea.
On a brighter note, the ferry operator monitored a 9.6% rise in passengers coming to the Island across this year’s excellent summer holiday period in July and August, carrying 150,672 inbound visitors, up from 137,483 last year. This volume would have included improved input from motorcycle fans attending the Southern 100 races on the Billown Circuit in July.
As for the MGP and Classic TT, a negative aspect during August was the 7.7% footfall decline, amounting to a 4695 passenger reduction, travelling through the Isle of Man’s Ronaldsway Airport.
Another more profound disappointment came from the final few days of the Classic TT, when the previously good weather petered out. On the final afternoon, as bad weather cleared and the track dried rapidly, a magnificent “run what you brung” assembly formed up for the Classic Senior, ready to roll onto the grid and race. But despite the fact that treaded tyres were de rigueur, a stretch of the Mountain Course up from the Bungalow was still deemed too damp and Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson abruptly called “game over” on the paddock tannoy. Bitterness among the assembled throng was profound. Shortage of marshals was later added as an excuse. A lot of those competitors may never return.