The three classes of 1958
Since 1954, Manx Grand Prix organisers the Manx Club elected to bar all factory machines, a practice continued in 1958. The club reserved the right to reject machines or riders without detailing reasons – a tough stance, and although a few wriggled under the radar, the club policed it well.
Riders aged 18-45 years were invited to enter the 1958 Manx GP at a fee of six guineas per race. All entrants needed to hold ACU, SACU or Motor Cycle Union of Ireland competition licences and never have raced in international meetings, other than North West 200, Leinster 100 and ACU International Races held at Aintree, Oulton Park, Scarborough, Silverstone or Thruxton, or held world records since 1930.
Open to riders fulfilling the MGP entry requirements and who’d never competed in any race over the IoM Mountain Course except the earlier ACU Clubman’s TTs and first Snaefell Race (1957), entries were invited for the Newcomers’ Race, also six guineas.
Scheduled for the Saturday before the MGP, the two Snaefell Race classes (Junior 350cc and Senior 500cc) would be run concurrently, with the first five riders in each classes given automatic free entry to the following week’s MGP Junior or Senior event as appropriate. After this, the authorities offered free entries for the next fastest riders, irrespective of class to make the entry
