By In nine days time, the traditional curtain raiser for the TT Races festival, the Pre TT Classic Races gets underway, which this year boasts an entry comprising of rising roads stars, seasoned classic roads exponents and Billown specialists a plenty.
Standout entrants include Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Ivan Lintin, who is set to pilot a ZXR 750RR Kawasaki, which has been produced by the German based Kraus Racing outfit.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
A multiple times race winner at the Southern 100, Ivan is on the lookout for only one result, in the Post Classic Superbike race, victory!.
The anticipated leading challenger to the two times Lightweight TT winner, is the on form Jamie Coward aboard the Mistral Racing Kawasaki, who is tipped by many to contend for the Privateers championship title at TT 2017 with Radcliffe’s Racing.
Keep an eye as well on OWO1 Yamaha mounted, Peter Boast, who is more than capable of contending for race honours.
Alongside the big bikes, nine different classes in total run at the meeting, which retains title sponsorship from Blackford Financial Services.
A who’s who of classic racing are entered, which includes Davies Motorsport’s Alan Oversby, Mike Hose, Bill Swallow, Hefyn Owen, Alec Whitwell, Steven Elliott, Rich Hawkins, Les Trotter, Chris McGahan, Terry Kermode, Bernie Wright, Meredydd Owen and Jeff Ward.
Whilst 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings champion James Cowton, set to compete on Peter Berwick’s TZ 250 Yamaha, is a definite contender for Junior Superbike honours.
Billown newcomers hoping to make a great impression, include Loris Hunt, Christopher Morgan, Simon Collins, Rainer Crome, Martyn Jephcote and Will Loder.
The Sidecar races have an added touch of TT greatness via 17 times TT winner Dave Molyneux, who will competing against seasoned campaigners such as Oliver’s Mount specialist Tony Thirkell, Eddy Wright and Vince Briggs.
Established amongst the premier classic roads events, expect close fought competition in abundance, with the famous Billown course set to be graced again by iconic sounds such as rasping 350’s and 500’s.
The full Blackfords Financial Services Pre TT Classic Races, Practice/Race schedule, is as follows:
Friday 26th May:
6:15 – 9:15 PM Practice Sessions
Saturday 27th May:
1:15-2:45 PM Practice Sessions
3:00 PM Singles Race
TBC Sidecar Race
Monday 29th May:
Racing scheduled to begin at 9:25 AM
Race Schedule:
Race 1 Solo Support
Race 2 250 Lightweight
Race 3 500 Senior
Race 4 Junior Superbike
Race 5 Camathias Cup Sidecar R1
Race 6 850 Classics
Race 7 Junior Classic
Race 8 Post Classic Superbike
Race 9 Camathias Cup Sidecar R2/Combined Post Classic Sidecar Race
Words by Stevie Rial
