back to previous pagePorscheshop Manx Tour 2009 Review & Information
Our Manx Tours have evolved over the years to what is becoming a fixed format. The reasons we go for are the roads, the scenery, the roads, the hospitality, the roads, good company. Oh, and the roads. So as you will appreciate there is not a lot of time left to do much else.
This year we did have a first, as most people came over on the new Seacat from Liverpool called the 'Mananan'. Not only is this the largest twin hull craft in the world but, as far as the Steam Packet Co. were concerned, this was the Mananan's maiden voyage having recently been refitted out as a commercial ferry as it had previously seen service as an Icelandic military vessel.
By 2.15pm on Friday we had landed in Douglas, having had a pleasant crossing and made our way to the Mount Murray hotel. This gave many of our new and previous visitors an opportunity to familiarise themselves with a lap (of 38miles) or two before the evening reception and driver briefing held by Derek Flint one of the heads of our local constabulary on the island (many thanks Derek).
Saturday at 6am and the weather looked grim for our Dawn Raid lap. We were, in all honesty, against going out due to fog, however our resident PCGB Manxman Julian Chappell talked us into it and we're glad he did, ok it wasn't a perfect lap but it was do-able. Sunday on the other hand was perfect and after seeing the cars off at the Grandstand, Geoff Ives took an alternative route to the top of the mountain to get some photos, and as Geoff said "The sight of 50+ Porsches at high speed 1500 feet up the Mountain was inspiring as was the quality of driving".
Sunday lunchtime saw us at the cinema, a function room in the hotel with its massive screen was booked so we could watch the Monaco Grand Prix and have a dabble on the sweepstake for a Manx cancer charity. This was won by our very own Manx Team Leader, Julian Chappell, who put his winnings back in the kitty for the charity. Thanks Julian.
Sunday night was our annual Manx Gala Dinner and a fun auction in one of the hotels function rooms, (again for the Manx cancer charity). There were also awards for the regularity run and treasure hunts which were run throughout the weekend.
Monday 7.30am saw the first sailing for Liverpool with most of us preferring to stay on for the now legendary Mount Murray buffet breakfast, more mountain laps, and last minute shopping before taking the 3pm crossing, and making the most of the bank holiday sunshine on the island.
Porscheshop would like to thank everyone who came along, and I am sure that I speak for all of our entrants when I say thank you to the following people because without them the event could not have happened.
Geoff Ives for organising the Tour, the management and staff of the Mount Murray Hotel for their excellent hospitality, the Manx Constabulary for enthusiastic tolerance (as ever) and Dave Shadwell, Julian Chappell and all the members of PCGB Region 30 who helped Marshall the event, and the God of the Island and Mananan Maceleer for not casting his cloak over the island for our time there!
Hope to see you all next year.