By Richard Petrie BBC Sport

Mad Sunday is a popular day at the Isle of Man TT

Unlike Formula One grand prix racing and most major motorsport events, the big stars are still accessible to the fans at the TT.

Riders mix readily with autograph hunters and those looking for photo opportunities and a 'meet the riders' session is held in the paddock on Saturday morning just a few hours before the start of the TT Superbike race.

Such an initiative is just one of the positive changes to have taken place in the organising of the meeting in recent years, with the Manx Motor Cycle Club now at the helm.

Potential TT riders are now actively canvassed by a dedicated team of enthusiasts and are afforded the opportunity to visit the Island and see the circuit themselves before deciding to take up the challenge.

Marketing, public relations and arrangements to accommodate major teams are also much improved, with facilities for riders, health and safety and the waiving of entry fees also high on the agenda.

The quality of the entry on the grid is now higher and changes to the regulations have meant that so-called 'holiday racers', those who compete in just one or two meetings a year, have been omitted from the starting list.

The other major change in recent years has been the dropping of the two-stroke races, which catered for 125cc and 250 machines, in favour of the production based four-stroke classes.

The present line-up of Superbikes, Superstocks and Supersports can all be purchased in more standard form from the local showroom minus the various modifications which are made for racing purposes.

There is a cosmopolitan feel with Germans, French, Americans, Austrians and Australians all mixing with the British, Irish and native Manx

While some may claim the race programme is less varied as a result of this transformation, the manufacturers place great emphasis on the success of their machines at the TT and the categories are now more in tune with racing classes at other meetings in the UK and around the world.

For the manufacturers, it is the ultimate road test and much publicity is generated for their various makes of machine through success on the torturous Mountain Course.

Saturday's six lap TT Superbike race is followed by the famous 'Mad Sunday' when much of the circuit is made one way to allow the road bikers to travel the same tarmac as their heroes.

Much is happening off the track too with the Red Arrows, fireworks, stunt team displays, a funfair, on-street parties on Douglas promenade, rock concerts and other special events contributing to the carnival atmosphere.

Every street is lined with motorcycles and there is a cosmopolitan feel with Germans, French, Americans, Austrians and Australians all mixing with the British, Irish and native Manx.

The constant reminder to the many German speaking visitors, 'links fahren bitte' is again indicative of the number of bike fans who have travelled from far afield.

Spirits are high, especially at night when the bikers sample some of the local ale, but there is never any hint of trouble and the police have even been known to join in the festivities.