This year is the Manx Grand Prix’s 90th anniversary. Since 1923, the TT’s younger cousin has been a platform for budding racers, intrepid engineers and any aspiring TT rider.

But this year, amidst the furure that’s surrounded the inaugral Classic TT, this rather important birthday has been somewhat overshadowed.

Yet, dozens of riders are preparing for this year’s MGP, which includes a SuperTwin class, Lightweight class and a Senior class.

One such rider is Phil McGurk, who won the MGP in 2010 on his self-built ‘Springcourt SuperTwin’ machine.

“The beauty of the Manx is that the modern class only limits the engine size of the bike - the strict restrictions that exist at the TT aren’t applied here, which means you can do whatever you want with the bike as long as - for example - you remain within the 650cc limit.”

For engineers like McGurk, this is what the Manx Grand Prix is all about. “The fact you have this freedom means your engineering skills really come out at an event like this. You get lots of privateers and people from all walks of life. I’m racing a 350cc Goldstar in the Junior Classic that belongs to a brickie from Royton.”

Brickies, health and safety consultants, drapers, businessmen - the range of characters at the Manx Grand Prix is almost as impressive as its two-wheeled line-up.

Bob Farrington, for example, rolls up every year with several tents, his dogs, a cooker, fridge, satellite dish, dining set and, almost, his kitchen sink. The East Yorkshire rider even erects a picket fence around his polyester pile with his ‘Farringtown’ sign nailed to the front.

“You do get some really interesting people at the Manx,” says McGurk.

But as for the Manx’s integration with the Classic TT, McGurk says: “It’s been a rocky road and it the fact the Manx Grand Prix may have faced changes was initially poorly received but they are doing a really good job and there is a lot of exotic and exciting machinery coming over to the island. It would take the harshest sceptic to deny that it will be exciting. You’ve got to be light-hearted about it all. We’ll only know whether it’s worked when we’re three years down the line.”

The Manx Grand Prix started in 1923, after the Manx Motorcycle Club - which still runs the MGP - requested that the TT featured a lap for amateur riders.

Nine decades later and the fruits of that request are about to start whizzing around the Mountain Course once again, on a variety of machines.

This year’s Manx Grand Prix and debut Classic TT have come under the banner of the Festival of Motorcycling, which jointly incorporates a variety of parades, races and rallies.

Events include the Manx Grand Prix SuperTwin, Lightweight and Senior MGP and a 90th Anniversary Parade, which features riders such as Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen and Charlie Willams.

There’s also the VMCC rally at Jurby, which attracts thousands of vistitors and a museum-standard range of machines ranging in age from 20 to 90 years-old.

To top that off, there’s even a lap on the old St John’s TT course - which runs from St John’s, via Ballacraine, Peel and back to St John’s - and was in operation from 1907 to 1911, when the full Mountain Course was introduced.

But really, the Manx Grand Prix is about the racing. “It’s a great event and I am excited. It means so much more when youre riding a bike that’s built with a chassis you made yourself.”

Now that, is the true Manx Grand Prix spirit.

Click here for the practice and race schedule