Stage set for start of 2011 MGP

Weather permitting, the opening practice session for the 2011 Manx Grand Prix Festival will take place this evening (Saturday).

Roads around the mountain course are scheduled to close at 5pm.

Overall, entries are well up on last year and there is a big influx of newcomers, who will be first away on their speed-controlled lap.

TT and motorsport development manager Paul Phillips says it's very encouraging the MGP has bucked the trend for motorsport events, in these challenging economic times: