Excitement is building for the second year of the Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts with just 60 days to go until the start of qualifying on Saturday 16th August,
Fans flocked to the Isle of Man for the inaugural event last year to witness some exciting racing around the TT Mountain Course as well as getting up close and personal with some of motorcycle racing’s biggest stars including Giacomo Agostini, Freddie Spencer, Phil Read, John McGuinness, Steve Baker and Kork Ballington.
The open paddock welcomed thousands of fans, who were able to get unique access to some of the most exotic classic racing motorcycles the world has ever seen. A packed off track entertainment schedule complemented the racing and parades with many of the leading motorcycle magazines calling the Classic TT the world’s number one classic motorcycle event in its first year.
The 2014 edition of the Classic TT looks set to build upon this success with another impressive array of star riders and motorcycle exotica in the line up. On the back of another four TT victories earlier this month, Michael Dunlop heads the Classic TT entry with rides in all three races. Joining him on the grid will be a host of his rivals from the TT including 21 times champion John McGuinness, 2014 race winners Gary Johnson and Dean Harrison, outright TT lap record holder Bruce Anstey and TT podium finishers in 2014 Guy Martin, William Dunlop, James Hillier and James Cowton.
Other current day TT stars set to do battle around the Mountain Circuit on classic racing machinery include the likes of last year’s 500cc Race winner Olie Linsdell, Ryan Farquhar, Dan Kneen, Keith Amor, Dan Cooper, Lee Johnson, Jamie Hamilton, Jamie Coward and Russ Mountford. They will be joined by a plethora of Classic racing’s fastest men including Roy Richardson, Alan Oversby and Bill and Chris Swallow, not to mention 10 times TT winner Ian Lougher, who is continuing his career exclusively on classic racing machinery. Fans will also be eagerly awaiting the return of 9 times TT winner Charlie Williams, who makes his racing return to the Mountain Circuit after a 30 year absence.
The 2014 Classic TT will have a 1980s’ theme running throughout as the event celebrates the incredible career of the late, great Joey Dunlop. A stunning exhibition of machines ridden by Joey throughout his career will be on display in the paddock while many of the Ulsterman’s greatest rivals will be attending the event to pay tribute in the ‘Joey Dunlop – Road Racing Legend – The Rivals Parade Lap sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’. Names already confirmed to participate include Carl Fogarty, Rob McElnea, Graeme Crosby, Mick Grant, Philip McCallen, Brian Reid, Ray McCullough, Mick Grant, Steve Cull and Paul Iddon.
The 1980s will permeate all areas of the event with an 80s theme for the Classic TT Paddock Carnival on Friday 22nd August with music, fashion and entertainment all harking back to that unforgettable era as well as the Classic TT Party on Saturday 23rd in the VIP Hospitality Marquee featuring live 80s music and 80s fancy dress.
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Festival of Jurby is now a major event in its own right and will expect to draw in over 15,000 visitors to Jurby Motordrome on Sunday 24th August for a day of parades, exhibits and rider signing sessions, before the final day of racing on the Mountain Course in the Classic TT on Bank Holiday Monday the 25th August.
The Classic TT is one of the events that make up the 2014 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, which runs from August 16th to August 31. The festival also includes the Manx Grand Prix Races (25th to 29th August), Manx 2-Day Trial (23rd and 24th August), Manx Classic Trial (30th and 31st August) and the VMCC rally and The Festival of Jurby (24th August).
David Cretney, MHK, the Isle of Man’s Government’s ‘Minister for Fun’ commented: “The Classic TT was a resounding success last year and we are working hard to make sure than the 2014 event is even better. In the coming weeks we will be making a string of announcements about the racing line up we have been able to attract as well as the exciting plans we have for events away from the Mountain Circuit. I would encourage fans to book early to avoid disappointment.”
Classic TT Schedule
Friday 22nd August 2014:
- Classic TT Paddock Carnival
Saturday 23rd August 2014:
- Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race (13.00)
- ‘Joey Dunlop-Road Racing Legend-The Rivals Parade Lap sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’
- Classic TT Party
Sunday 24th August 2014:
- VMCC Festival of Jurby
Monday 25th August 2014:
- Okells 350cc Race (10.15)
- Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race (13.30)
- Motorsport Merchandise Formula 2 Classic TT Race (13.30)
