Classic TT organiser reveals flexible contingency plans to avoid Isle of Man TT repeat

Despite day two of the Manx Grand Prix being cancelled due to poor weather on Monday evening, Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson remains confident of completing a full race schedule. 

This is after Thompson was faced with one of the most challenging Isle of Man TT events to run since taking over the position of Clerk of the Course 14 years ago. Bad weather, low clouds and major accidents resulted in numerous schedule changes, which eventually led to just five races being completed, although one of those (the Senior TT) was declared a result after just one lap.

After beginning on Sunday, August 16, the 2026 Manx Grand Prix was scheduled to continue with three sessions on Monday evening. However, the Manx Grand Prix suffered a similar fate as the TT, with qualifying for the Senior MGP/Supersport MGP categories, and the Junior MGP/Sportbike MGP classes cancelled. 

A one-lap Classic TT session was also cancelled, with all three sessions now scheduled to take place later today at the same time that they should have run on Monday. 

While poor weather could prove to be a major challenge for the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT over the next two weeks, there’s another reason why completing a full schedule could be difficult. 

With the TT taking place in late May and early June, more natural light was available later in the day, meaning if poor weather impacts the MGP and Classic TT, then delaying sessions until later that same day could become a timing nightmare.

However, Thompson is aiming to combat these potential challenges with a flexible schedule that offers plenty of contingency periods through qualifying and race week. 

Speaking to Manx Radio, Thompson said:  

“We are confident. We’ve built the schedule to put in plenty of flexibility. In qualifying week, we’ve got possibly Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon as contingencies.

“We’ve got Friday evening, we’ve got Sunday afternoon and then in race week we’ve got all day Tuesday and all day Thursday, so there is plenty of wiggle room. I’m also conscious that in comparison to the TT, we lose an hour’s natural light in the evening. Whereas at the TT we would flag all [competitors] at 8:50pm, we now tend to flag all at 8pm to make sure that everybody gets back in daylight.”

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