While the Isle of Man TT may have finished, excitement on the Island is building once again with only 60 days until the beginning of qualifying for the Classic TT Races on Saturday August 16.
The inaugural event last year saw thousands of fans make the trip and enjoy the open paddock, getting up close and personal with some of the biggest stars of motorcycle racing, including Giacomo Agostini, John McGuinness, Freddie Spencer and Phil Read.
As well as racing around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, a packed off-track entertainment schedule meant there was always something going on, helping the event be named the world’s number one classic motorcycle event by many leading motorcycle magazines in only its debut year.
The 2014 edition of the event promises more of the same, with a host of star names already scheduled to appear, including winner of four TTs in a week for the second year running, Michael Dunlop, 21-time TT winner McGuinness, first-time TT winner Dean Harrison, new outright lap record holder Bruce Anstey and podium finishers Guy Martin, James Hillier and James Cowton to name but a few.
Once again the event will have a theme, this time celebrating the career of the late, great Joey Dunlop by having all things ’80s. A display of Dunlop’s racing machinery will be in the paddock, while many of his rivals will take to the track in the Joey Dunlop – Road Racing Legend – The Rivals Parade Lap. Already confirmed to take part in the lap include Carl Fogarty, Rob McElnea, Mick Grant and Philip McCallen.
The theme is expected to go into overload for the Classic TT Paddock Carnival on Friday August 22, with music, fashion and entertainment all coming from the 1980s, as well as the Classic TT Party the following night in the VIP Hospitality Marquee, featuring live ’80s music and ’80s fancy dress.
“The Classic TT was a resounding success last year and we are working hard to make sure than the 2014 event is even better,” said the Isle of Man Government’s ‘Minister for Fun’, David Cretney, MHK. “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.”
