The 2026 Manx Grand Prix roared into life at the weekend, as first qualifying for the amateur racers got underway on Sunday, with the Classic TT stars set to head onto track for their first practice sessions tonight.
The two events will be run in parallel over the iconic 37.73-mile Isle of Man Mountain Course for the next two weeks and, alongside the race action, the finishing touches are being made to a pop-up exhibition and cinema celebrating the achievements of 23-time TT winner John McGuinness. The free-to-visit temporary museum will be headlined by 10 exhibits, which tell the story of some of the most defining moments in McGuinness’ outstanding 30-year TT career.
Fittingly, the exhibition starts with the Paul Bird Motorsport entered Honda RS250 on which McGuinness, now an MBE in honour of his services to motorcycle racing, took part in his first TT. While the then 24-year-old finished an impressive 15th in the Lightweight TT, few could have expected that it would be the start of a career which would see him start over 100 TTs, winning 23 of them and making history as the first rider to average over 130mph around the formidable course. As well as his 1996 bike, the exhibit also features his leathers and helmet from the same race – giving a fascinating insight into just how much riders’ safety equipment has also evolved over the past three decades.
Other exhibitions showcase the RS250 upon which he won his first TT, the 1999 Lightweight TT, the Yamaha YZF-R1 which he rode to his first Superbike TT win in 2003 and the HM Plant Honda Fireblade upon which he set that 130mph lap three years later. The Fireblade he raced to his final Senior TT win, in 2015, is also on display – telling the story of what many consider to be his finest moment on the island. The display is completed with the special liveried Honda he rode at this year’s took him to an impressive fifth in the Superbike TT – confirming the 54-year-old remains among the fastest road racers in the world.
Alongside the bikes, there will be a curated area telling the story and evolution of John’s famous voodoo doll helmet design, as well as a selection of other rare and significant photographs, artifacts and memorabilia.
The exhibition will be free to enter and is situation a stone’s throw from the main grandstand, at the Mercury Club VIP area. As well as the exhibits, a pop-up cinema will be screening memorable races and exclusive features. No museum would be complete without a gift shop, and the McGuinness exhibition will have a merch stand with some exclusive items for fans who want to take a piece of the celebration away with them.
In addition to the exhibition, John will be present throughout the Classic TT. He’s racing in the two Historic categories and will be taking part in a live recording of the TT Podcast with Lee Johnston and Chris Pritchard. TT+ subscribers will also be able to watch a special edition of Between the Hedges, which has friends and rivals sharing their memories from McGuinness’ magnificent career while, finally, the man himself is set to bring the curtain down on the festivities with a parade lap after the final race on Friday 28 August.
The exhibition is free to visit and open daily throughout the Classic TT, opening on Wednesday (19 August) through to Friday 28 August.
The 2026 Manx Grand Prix was opened with the newcomers getting their guided laps around the legendary 37.73-mile course yesterday. There are 25 debutants at this year’s event, and they were shown around the course by the travelling marshals and experienced riders including McGuinness himself, Dominic Herbertson, Nathan Harrison and TT rider liaison officer Richard Quayle.
Johnny Stewart was the man to beat after the first Manx qualifying session of 2026. He set a 112.852mph lap on his Aprilia RS660, almost 20 seconds quicker than Eddy Wormald, who clocked a 111.179mph lap, to top times in the Sportbike class. The rider from the Scottish Borders was also fastest in the Supersport category, recording an impressive 117.018mph lap to top the session, 10 seconds faster than 20-year-old Lee Hara, who set a personal best 115.942mph lap in just his second year at the event.
Sunday’s opening practice was cut short by rain, following a red flag brought out after Salvatore Sallustro crashed at Greeba Bridge. The Italian was taken by airmed to Nobles Hospital for treatment and further assessment. Manx Grand Prix practice resumes at 6.30pm tonight (Monday 17 August), and will be followed by a one lap for the Classic TT riders – a format while will be replicated on Tuesday.
