By The traditional curtain raiser for the TT Races festival, the Blackford Financial Services Pre TT Classic Road Races that gets underway on Friday evening, this year boasts an 241 strong entry comprising of rising roads stars, seasoned classic roads exponents and Billown specialists a plenty.
Standout entrants include Hebden Bridge’s Ted Woof/Craven Racing backed Jamie Coward, and Davies Motorsport’s Dominic Herbertson. Both Coward and Herbertson who have scooped in recent times at the Pre TT Classic, multiple victories, start amongst the firm favourites for Junior 350, Senior 500 class honours.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Others capable of contending for top class results a plenty this month, include event record holder Mike Hose, Barry Davidson, Chris McGahan, Alan Oversby, Steve Ferguson and Brian Mateer.
Plus 2015 Newcomers B Manx GP winner Gary Vines, Bill Swallow, Will Loder, Ben Rea, Adrian Harrison and Hefyn Owen who impressed in last years Junior Classic TT.
Looking towards the Post Classic Superbike race, one of the favourites has to be three times Manx GP victor Michael Evans.
As at TT 2019, receiving support from Wilcock Consulting, rising Manx star Evans shone in 2018 around the fast, flowing, hugely popular Billown course.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Dominant in last May’s Post Classic Superbike encounter, it’s going to take a hugely impressive performance to wrestle the class crown away from him.
Amongst those capable of pushing, overhauling 2017 Senior Manx GP champ Evans, include ZXR 750 Kawasaki mounted Paul Jordan.
Competing under the Mistral Racing banner, next gen racer Jordan who enjoyed an impressive North West 200 tenure, has the core pace, race craft, optimum race fitness to enjoy a prodigious Pre TT Classic expedition.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Alongside the aforementioned competitors, Billown course first timers, event newcomers to watch include Mark Purslow, DP Coldplaning/TC Racing’s Julian Trummer, Steadplan Primus Racing’s Andy Farrell, 400 machinery specialist Alistair Haworth and overall Tandragee 100 classics victor, Dean Stimpson.
Outside of the solo classes, the three wheeling fraternity also enjoys a strong event presence, with leading entries including Eddy Wright/Kieran Clarke, Tony Thirkell/Trevor Johnson, Greg Lambert/Ben McBride, Keith Walters/Alun Thomas and Wally Saunders/Bob Dowty.
Established amongst the premier classic roads events, expect at the 2019 Pre TT Classic Road Races close fought competition in abundance throughout Friday, Saturday and Monday, with the famous Colas Billown course set to be graced again by iconic sounds such as rasping 350’s and 500’s.
Words by Stevie Rial
