New Manx GP website

This year’s Manx Grand Prix festival audience is set to grow thanks to the launch of a new website branded as ‘Manx Grand Prix Festival’, which runs from 21st August to 5th September 2010.

For the first time ever, race fans worldwide will be able to follow this year’s Manx GP races live via Manx Radio commentary and live timing on the internet.

The MGP festival brings together four of the biggest two-wheel events in the Isle of Man’s sporting calendar: the Manx Grand Prix Races, which sees classic and modern racing machines competing around the 37.73-mile TT Mountain Course; the Two Day Trial; the Manx Classic Trial and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Festival of Jurby, Vintage Parade and Rally.

Fans around the world will be able to follow the Manx Grand Prix via the MGP Live! Service, which will deliver live commentary from local radio station Manx Radio and live timing on the internet throughout the fortnight-long event. The service is free and does not require registration.

MGP Live! uses the same tried and tested technology as TT Live!, which has been running annually since 2007.

MGP Live! will allow fans to see sector times and speeds from data collection points around the course as soon as the timing beams are broken, so they can follow the practice and race action as it happens.

There will also be regular Facebook and Twitter updates from events around the Island.

The site – with the url mgpfestival.com – also carries latest news from each of the events as well as multimedia content, spectator guides, entertainment listings, photo galleries, competitor database and results archive.

It also features comprehensive information on how to book travel and accommodation packages through official travel partner Regency Travel.

Each of the ‘Manx Grand Prix Festival’ event organisers will also have their own dedicated areas to promote their events and carry competitor information.

The site is part of the Manx Government’s Department of Economic Development’s strategy to generate additional visitors to the Island during the Manx Grand Prix Festival Fortnight.

It is also a key element of the commercial programme to attract sponsorship to offset the cost of running the event.