Jr Manx Grand Prix

Finding a good vantage point to watch the races is paramount!  Arguably, watching the bikes come down off the mountain and take the sharp right at Crag Ny Baa is a prime spot.  Usually, spectators are either in the grandstands, or behind fences to provide a small form of protection.  The risk takers (me) climbed over fences and walked through fields looking for the best spot to take some pictures.  It is hard to convey the speed the bikes are traveling at as they whiz by, and how hard it is to capture that on film, but I can say that most people with snapshot cameras or i-phones are not able 'stop the motion'.  I have been practicing with my trusty Nikon 3200 for over 6 years, so am happy to share the fruits of my labour....

I even managed to catch this shot between the buildings...

I changed locations to try to get the right hander that takes them down the stretch to Hillberry

With the races over, I stumbled across this interesting machine in the parking lot

 As we headed down the mountain, we stopped to snap the view.....

...and these beauties came bouding up to me to say hello 

(and stop for a snack)

We rounded out the day with a visit to new friends at their fabulous 'vintage' stone house.

Ramsey coming up......

350cc Classic, F1 & F2 races around the Island

I can't complain that there wasn't enough racing.

With so many great vantage points to watch from, we chose Hillberry for the 350cc classic, so we could watch the bikes scream down the hill at 

140 mph from Creg-ny-Baa.

 They then have a sharp turn beore heading towards the finish line,

 a few miles away.

Although the 350cc race was postponed for many hours, due to technical issues with the communication system between the marshal points, they did manage to get in the Formula 1 & 2 race.  We hoofed it over the paddock to mingle with riders and bikes as they were preparing themselves for the race.

Michael Dunlop gets interviewed for a TV show

...and his Brother, William, chatting with his crew

 The riders get into line, waiting for the 'tap' on their shoulder sending them down Bray Hill

What a surprise, Michael Dunlop takes the finish and burns some rubber for the fans waiting at the winners paddock

Michael giving his winning interview

 I was so touched by the third place winner, who broke into tears 

Ryan Farquhar

Racing done, home for Italian....yum!

Stay tuned for the Laxey woolen mill and a visit to Peel