2004 Manx Grand Prix Preview

With Under a week to go until the start of the 2004 Manx GP, the paddock is already filing up. This year again as last we will see Greeves machines line up in all three Classic classes. The Senior Classic once again sees Ian Rycroft line up with the big 420cc Greeves. He will be hoping for better luck than last year when he was put out of the race after the swinging arm spindle broke!. However Ian has already enjoyed success on the Island this year, taking a third place at the Pre TT classic event at Billown, so I am sure he will be hoping to build on this for the Manx. Ian will also be in action in the Lightweight Classic Race on board a 250cc Yamaha.

The Junior Classic sees the biggest Greeves entry with two Oultons. John Loder once again returns, he also enjoyed success at Billown with a second place to Bill Swallow in the 350cc Singles race. Hopefully John should have his new engine ready in time, but as last year he will struggle to match his previous Manx placings, due to the 24 litre maximum tank capacity, which means he will pit while the 4 strokes go straight through. John will also be competing in the Senior Classic on board the Nourish Weslake, after his second place last year he will start as one of the favourites. George Ridgeon's machines are again entered with Emilio Toone riding. This will be Emilio's first Manx since his bad crash at Kirk Michael a few years back, so all the best to him for an enjoyable ride. Hopefully George's machinery will last the distance this year.

The Lightweight Classic sees only one Greeves entry, that of Mervyn Stratford, amongst the flood of Suzukis. Merv was another with success at Billown, taking a win in the 250cc Singles race after an absence of ten years. He will be exercising both of his Premier Adhesive & Sealants backed Silverstones throughout practice week, and choosing the best machine for the race. Merv too has a ride in the Senior Classic event on board the Red Devil Seeley Goldstar of Jack Squirrell. Regular Lightweight man Ted Edwards misses this years event due to lack of parts, so he will be in the Junior Classic on a Honda K4.

Practicing starts on Saturday 21st August, the Senior Classic Race takes place on Monday 30th, With the Junior/Lightweight on Wednesday 1st September.

For the last two years we have provided a 'Live' coverage of the practice week, this may not be possible this year due to a change in circumstances, but I will do my best to see what I can do. However hopefully as last year up to date Practice and Race results will be available at www.iommgp.com

RS

19/8/04

Just one day to go until the start of practice, with signing-on tomorrow (Friday). At Present the weather is not looking too promising, with heavy rain on the Island today and yesterday with high winds also. This caused a few problems for some competitors tents and awnings, which succumbed to wind and rain. The paddock itself is now becoming a bit waterlogged and muddy, so it will be a bit tricky for some of the late arrivals to set up. Lets hope we get some improvement for practice week.

Full entry lists now available HERE

RS

21/8/04 First Practice Saturday Evening.

Tonight's first Practice session got away on time in pleasant conditions. Fortunately the weather had cleared for the day allowing proceedings to get underway without delay. Two Greeves ventured out for the initial session. Mervyn Stratford was out first of all on his Silverstone. He completed a first lap trouble free in a time of 26m 50.6s (84.33mph). However most riders were red flagged at the end of this lap because of  a crash at Union Mills and an ambulance needed to access the course. After a short delay the session got underway once more. Merv set off for a second lap and Emilio Toone set off for a lap on George Ridgeon's Oulton. Merv completed his second lap in an unofficial time of 26m 40.84s. Whilst Emilio unfortunately retired with reported clutch problems.

RS

23/8/04 Monday Evening Practice.

The session tonight was unfortunately cancelled due to a deteriation in weather conditions. It had been hoped we would get away as conditions in Douglas had improved somewhat since the morning, but due to the weather on the mountain it was not to be.

24/8/04 Tuesday Evening Practice.

This evening's session went ahead as scheduled. The weather was ok, but a bit wet under the trees although some riders experienced fog on the mountain. Again tonight only two Greeves were out. Ian Rycroft took out his 380cc Griffon based machine. He completed one lap in 27m 57.8s (80.96mph). Emilio Toone was also out on George's Oulton for two laps. 31m 27.8s (71.95mph) for the first and 31m13.9s (72.48mph) for the second.

John Loder and Mervyn Stratford, were both out on their senior mounts rather than Greeves machinery this evening. John however had his Oulton at Jurby for some testing on his new engine. Unfortunately it nipped up, so a bit of easing off is required before its first run on the mountain course.

25/8/04 Wednesday Evening Practice.

Weather conditions were mainly good for this session with just a bit of dampness under the trees and some wind on the mountain. Three Greeves took to the circuit tonight. John Loder had his Oulton out for a couple of steady laps. The first in 28m 18.2s (79.98) and second time round at 26m 01.4s (86.99). Also out in the Junior class was Emilio Toone, again for two laps one at 29m 42.1s (76.22mph) and a second at 31m 16.2 (72.4). George has been playing with the ignition timing, and hopes for some improvement in the remaining practice sessions. Mervyn was also out tonight for another two laps 26m 51.3s (84.3) and 26m 21.9s (85.86) respectively. The first lap time reflected the fact that he overshot Ballacraine after forgetting to adjust the front brake up!!. Tomorrow's practice is earlier starting at two o'clock in the afternoon.

26/8/04 Thursday Afternoon Practice.

This afternoon's session gave kind weather conditions once more, although again with wind on the mountain. All the Greeves riders took advantage of this session, but all only completed one lap. In the lightweights Mervyn was out on his RBS Silverstone for the first time, after completing a lap on the Seeley Goldstar earlier in the session. He had a fairly steady lap due to the Rev counter not working, and a slight oil leak from the primary chain case. 27m 33.6s (82.14). John was out once more on the Oulton, again after completing a lap on his senior mount. He had a lap in 24m 50.7s (91.12). Emilio was also out this afternoon. He went out late in the second session, so no time is currently available. Ian Rycroft also got another lap in the bag on the 380, although this proved pretty eventful. The primary belt broke at Kirk Michael, but he managed to get a lift home back to Peel, pick up a new belt, returned back to Kirk Michael to fit it and completed the lap!! His time of 63m11.6s (35.82) seems pretty good considering the unexpected 'pit stop'.

27/8/04 Friday Evening Practice.

Friday's session again saw some good weather conditions, with bright sunshine at the Grandstand. All the Greeves were out once more. John Loder went out late in the session after taking out the Weslake first, however he did not complete the lap, retiring at Quarry bends after the primary belt snapped at Ballacrye. Also in the Junior, Emilio was out for another lap. His time was 27m 27.7s (82.43). Obviously the ignition settings are paying off, as he is now under the 28m qualifying time. Merv was also out for one lap on the race engine. He completed a trouble free lap in 26m 17.4s (86.11mph). Ian was out for two laps on the 380, although tonight's outing was less eventful! His two laps were 27m 54.9s (81.1) and 27m 44.1s (81.62). Tomorrow evening sees the final practice session, with none of the morning emergency sessions being deemed necessary.

28/8/04 Saturday Evening Practice.

The final practice session got underway in dry conditions, although with damp patches under the trees and some wind on the mountain. Three Greeves ventured out once more, with Ian Rycroft out once more for another lap on the Griffon.28m 11.3s (80.31). Mervyn was out on the RBS for a run trying some ignition experiments, however these did not prove to be successful and he was considering pulling in at Ballacraine, as the bike was very flat. He did continue though pulling in at the end of the lap, also with fuel all over the tank and screen, as the seal had degraded in the cap. John was on for another quick bike change after an initial lap on the weslake, he went out on his Oulton. He again unfortunately retired, this time at Ballacraine and with a broken rear chain!

30/8/04 Senior Classic Race.

The start of the Senior classic race was delayed by an hour due to the delayed start of the Newcomers race to allow the roads to dry from the early morning rain. The race got underway at 2:15pm, Greeves interest in the Senior was in the form of Ian Rycroft on his Griffon, but also Greeves riders John Loder and Mervyn Stratford were both in action on Weslake and BSA machinery respectively. Unfortunately the Greeves challenge ended on lap one when Ian Rycroft retired. However both John and Merv battled through the windy conditions to complete the four laps, with John taking an excellent 2nd place on the podium, and Mervyn finishing in 31st.

1/9/04 Junior/Lightweight Classic Race.

The conditions for the combined Junior/Lightweight Classic race were almost excellent, with just some headwind on the mountain. First Greeves away in the Junior class was John Loder riding no 8. He got away well as he proceeded off down Bray Hill. Emilio Toone started from almost the back of the 350's, starting no 70 on George Ridgeon's machine. In the Lightweight class the lone Greeves was of Mervyn Stratford, starting at no 104. At the end of the first lap their was no sign of John as his race ended coming down the mountain, with the primary belt shredding! Up till that point the Greeves had been going well and he had been in a top four position. So the first Greeves to complete the first lap was Emilio, he went on to complete the whole of the four laps to finish in 31st position in a time of 1hr 53m 29.5s (79.78mph). In the Lightweight Class Mervyn also completed the four laps in a Manx best of 8th position and collecting a Silver replica, with a time of  1hr 44m 38.6s (86.53mph). Ian Rycroft had better luck than in the senior, he finished one place behind Merv in 9th on his Yamaha, also taking a Silver.

So All the Greeves riders finished the 2004 Manx with some success, although not all on their Greeves machinery.

RS

Photo's from this years Manx courtesy & © www.iomguide.com