Mannin Beg & Mannin Moar
LocationDouglas Circuit
Douglas, Isle of Man
United Kingdom
Coordinates54°9′14.41″N 4°28′44.36″W
EventsGrand Prix
LayoutDouglas Circuit (1933 layout)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length7.40 km
Length4.6 mi
Turns16
Record time4:10.0
Record driverBrian Lewis
Record carAlfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza
Record year1933
Record classGrand Prix
Layout 2Douglas Circuit (1934 layout)
Surface 2Asphalt
Length 25.88 km
Length 23.65 mi
Turns 28
Record time 22:50
Record driver 2Brian Lewis
Record car 2Alfa Romeo Tipo B
Record year 21934
Record class 2Grand Prix
Layout 3Douglas Circuit (1935 layout)
Surface 3Asphalt
Length 36.50 km
Length 34.04 mi
Turns 39
Record time 33:06
Record driver 3Brian Lewis
Record car 3Bugatti Type 59
Record year 31935
Record class 3Grand Prix

The Mannin Moar was a non-championship Grand Prix held in Douglas, Isle of Man, Great Britain in 1933, 1934 and 1935. The most successful driver was Brian Lewis, having won all three races.

Background

Rules and restrictions

When the R.A.C. wanted to organise a race on a street circuit, because of the popular Monaco Grand Prix, they found that it was illegal to close public roads for racing in the British mainland. However, the Isle of Man had its own laws, so a racing circuit was designed on the streets of Douglas. Two races were organised, Mannin Beg (English: Small Man) for non-supercharged voiturettes with engines smaller than 1500cc on 12 July 1933 [1] and Mannin Moar (English: Great Man) for cars with engines over 1500cc and supercharged voiturettes on 14 July 1933.[2]

Riding mechanics were mandatory for all cars. This was possibly the last time this rule was used in Grand Prix motor racing. The purpose of this rule was that the mechanics could signal to the flag marshals that their drivers wanted to pass a car in front, so that the marshals could flag that car to get out of the way. On behalf of the drivers, Earl Howe wrote a letter to The Motor complaining that the rules were considered an embarrassment and would turn races from international events into second rate affairs. The R.A.C. however stuck to their ideas. As said, after this race the rule that mandated mechanics was never again applied.[3]

Track

The Douglas street circuit of the 1933 race was 7.4 km (4.6 mi) long. The 1934 course had been shortened to 5.889 km (3.659 mi) and the 1935 course was altered to a length of 6.494 km (4.035 mi). The start line of the original track was near the Villa Marina on the Douglas Promenade. The first series of corners included Greensills Corner, a sharp right hander that led onto Church Road, followed by an equally sharp left hander that led into Finch Road. Then the course turned right around the House of Keys onto a fast section over Prospect Hill, Bucks Road and Laurieston Road. Next, six sharp bends followed a zigzag pattern over Ballaquale Road, St. Ninians Road, Dukes Road and Falcon Ter before ending up on Victoria Road that led to Governor's Bridge in a fast left hander. A right hand turn onto Governor's Road and Onchan was the most Northern corner of the circuit. From there the course followed a fast steep downwards section on Summer Hill Road between a wall on one side and houses on the other before coming back onto the promenade and ending up via Castle Mona Road at Villa Marina.

The Douglas circuit had a faster average speed than Circuit de Monaco, namely 105 km/h (65 mph), compared to Monaco's 96 km/h (60 mph).

Results

YearDateWinnerSecond placeThird placeReport
No.DriverCarNo.DriverCarNo.DriverCar
1933July 146Brian LewisAlfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza9Tim Rose-RichardsBugatti T5111George EystonAlfa Romeo 8C 2300 MonzaReport
1934June 14Brian LewisAlfa Romeo Tipo B9Charles DodsonAlfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza8Cyril PaulRiley 2000/6Report
1935May 317Brian LewisAlfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza10Charles MartinBugatti T595Luis FontésBugatti T 51Report
sources:[4][5][6]

Douglas Circuits 1933-1935

References

  1. ^ "I Mannin Beg". teamdan.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "I Mannin Moar". teamdan.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  3. ^ "Text - Chapter 7: Circuit Dust, 1935". isle-of-man.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  4. ^ "I Mannin Moar". Leif Snellman. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  5. ^ "II Mannin Moar". Leif Snellman. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  6. ^ "III Mannin Moar". Leif Snellman. Archived from the original on 30 December 2001. Retrieved April 21, 2014.