The final day of the Manx Grand Prix brought more delays and schedule changes. The roads were wet everywhere early in the morning; meaning delays were necessary whilst they dried out and mist on the mountain section lifted. First decision of the day was to call off the scheduled re-run of the Junior Race that was halted on lap 2 on Saturday. The result was based on the positions at the end of lap 1. This meant victory for Andrea Majola from countryman Maurizio Bottalico with Daniel Ingham third. Julien Cregniot; Lian Chawke and Michael Gahan completed the top 6. Toby Shann was best newcomer in eighth on the Cowton Racing Kawasaki.
Next decision was the inevitable combination of the Senior and Junior Classic into a single race. Most of those with double entries chose to ride in the Senior. The course was described as “a scary,
scratchy situation” by multiple race winner Chris Palmer. John McGuinness said that he had not expected any racing to take place. The course had a large number of wet patches; it appears that much work will be needed in the winter to address the problem of running water crossing the track after rainfall.
The first race; the Senior and Junior Classic MGP; started 4 hours and 32 minutes after it was scheduled to. The one lap dash gave an exciting finish and new names on the trophies. At Glen Helen, John McGuinness led on the road and on corrected time; his lead 4.45s from Shaun Anderson; both Paton mounted. Mike Browne on the Norton ES2 had closed down the 10s starting interval to Jamie Coward to hold third by 0.876s from Flitwick Enfield mounted Adam McLean. Paul Jordan was fifth with Coward sixth. The Junior leader was Mikey Evans; but he was to retire just up the road. At Ballaugh Bridge, the lead had increased to 4.705s; McLean was up to third, but just 0.12s ahead of Browne. Nigel Moore was the new leader of the Junior class.
We had some fine action for the small number of enthusiasts to enjoy at Schoolhouse Corner in Ramsey where the roads were perfectly dry. Leaving the town McGuinness led by 4.703s; behind him Browne had retaken third by 0.562s and Coward had taken 5th from Jordan. Newcomer Harley Rushton; impressive at Billown; had taken the Junior class lead from the soon to retire Moore. Anderson was fastest on the mountain climb to be 2.365s down on McGuinness at the Bungalow. With 1.1 miles to go at Cronk ny Mona the lead was 1.12s. Anderson was quickest on the wet final section and took victory by 0.163s. McLean won the battle for third by 0.92s from Browne. Jamie Coward took fifth with Jordan sixth. Harley Rushton duly won the Junior class; with returning former Senior Classic winner Glen English second and Mark Johnson third.
Next up was the Senior Manx Grand; for many of us the main race of the meeting. This was to be run over 2 laps, taking pitstops out of the equation. Race favourite Daniel Ingham had the number one plate so was first to plunge down Bray Hill. For Maurizio Bottalico the race was over at Quarter Bridge. Ingham was the fastest on the 9 miles to Glen Helen; he led by 5.562s from Sam Johnson; with Jacque Foley 1.927s behind in third. Julian Cregniot, Chris Cook and Johnny Stewart completed the top six. At Ballaugh Bridge; the lead had grown to 11.27s. Chris Cook was second, Sam Johnson third, Foley; Cregniot and Stewart completed the top 6. The action at Schoolhouse was noticeably faster than in the previous race; with a few riders using some of the bus stop on the exit. The lead at Ramsey was up to 15.278s; the only change being Michael Gahan moving from 8th