Festival of nostalgia planned for Manx TT

Plans to hold three classic TT races taking place over the middle weekend of racing at the event and the August Bank Holiday Monday were announced in early August.

Now the Isle of Man Government has said these could be supported by a mini festival featuring period events, classic racing motorcycle exhibitions, chat show and autograph sessions with legendary riders, parade laps, air displays, Vintage Motorcycle Club events and family entertainment.

The proposals from the Department of Economic Development also include a revamped race programme and race regulations with events for the traditional MGP 500cc and 350cc class, rebranded as Classic TT Races, along with new Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic TT Races.

These last two would run concurrently and would represent the original FIM World Championship classes of the same title from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The goal of these new classes would be open the classic TT to a new generation of machinery including iconic machines such as the Honda RC30, Kawasaki ZXR 750, Yamaha OW01, Suzuki GSX-R 750 and Ducati 888.

A number of sub classes are also being proposed to ensure competitors of all abilities and experience, and machinery of varying specifications, can compete in the Classic TT Races in an environment that promotes equality and sportsmanship.

All competitors in the classic TT would be given a classification as either a GP rider or clubman rider depending on their previous results and experience, with further sub-divisions relating to the specification of the machinery they are competing on.

While there would only be one podium presentation per race, based on the overall race result, the sub classes would be used to determine qualification times, the awarding of replicas and other trophies and would be clearly identified in the official results and recognized as sub-class winners in official post race reports.

The department’s chief executive Colin Kniveton said: “We have had a remarkable response to the idea of a classic TT from the international classic motorcycle movement, which confirms our research that our motorsport heritage is unrivalled anywhere in the world. We have spoken to people from all corners of the globe including existing and potential competitors, machine owners, parade participants and race fans and all are keen to be a part of this new event.

“We have also had a very encouraging response to our plans for the race regulations from existing MGP classic competitors and machine owners, teams and riders who have competed at the MGP in the past who are keen to return and also potential new participants.

“We now have a huge amount of work to do to develop our plans alongside our key stakeholders including the Manx Motor Cycle Club, the TT Marshals Association, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club and our commercial partners. We intend to release the regulations for the event by the end of September to allow people the maximum possible time to prepare for the inaugural event.

“We then plan to release details of some of the riders and machines expected to compete along with further details of the supporting festival events, ticket options and travel packages at the Motorcycle Live event at the Birmingham NEC in November.”

The department is inviting comments from interested parties via email at [email protected] by Monday, September 24.

2013 RACE PROGRAMME
Saturday 24 August?Race 1 The 500cc Classic TT Race

Monday 26 August?Race 2 The 350cc Classic TT Race?Race 3 The Formula 1 Classic TT Race / The Formula 2 TT Classic TT Race?(2 races ran concurrently)

Machine Eligibility

The 500cc Classic TT Race?- 301cc–500cc Machines as per MGP Regulations

The 350cc Classic TT Race?- 175cc – 350cc Machines as per MGP Regulations

The Formula 1 Classic TT Race?- Up to 1000cc 4 stroke Machines Pre 1975?- Up to 1300cc 4 stroke Machines Pre 1986?- Up to 750cc 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Machines Pre 1993?- Up to 1000cc 4 stroke, 2 cylinder Machines Pre 1993?- 351cc – 750cc 2 stroke Machines

The Formula 2 Classic TT Race ?- Up to 750cc 4 stroke, 2 cylinder Machines Pre 1986?- Up to 600cc 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Machines Pre 1986?- 126cc -350cc 2 Stroke Machines Pre 1993

Race Sub Classes

500cc Classic TT Race?Class GP1 301cc–500cc Single Cylinder and Push Rod Twin Cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C1 301cc–500cc Single Cylinder and Push Rod Twin Cylinder Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP2 301cc–500cc Multiple Cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C2 301cc–500cc Multiple Cylinder Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders

350cc Classic TT Race?Class GP1 300cc – 350cc Single Cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C1 300cc – 350cc Single Cylinder Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP2 300cc – 350cc Multiple Cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C2 300cc – 350cc Multiple Cylinder Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders ?Class GP3 175cc – 250cc Two Stroke Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C3 175cc – 250cc Two Stroke Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP4 175cc – 250cc Four Stroke Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C4 175cc – 250cc Four Stroke Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders

Formula 1 TT Race?Class GP1 Pre 1975 Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C1 Pre 1975 Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP2 Pre 1985 Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C2 Pre 1985 Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP3 Pre 1993 Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C3 Pre 1993 Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders

Formula 2 TT Race?Class GP1 Pre 1986 2 Stroke Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C1 Pre 1986 2 Stroke Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP2 Pre 1993 2 Stroke Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C2 Pre 1993 2 Stroke Machines ridden by Clubman status Riders?Class GP3 Pre 1986 4 stroke, 2 cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C3 Pre 1986 4 stroke, 2 cylinder Machines by Clubman status Riders?Class GP4 Pre 1986 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Machines ridden by GP status Riders?Class C4 Pre 1986 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Machines by Clubman status Riders