Three-time motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion Freddie Spencer will appear at this year’s Classic TT road racing event.
The American will ride one of his ex factory Honda Rothmans Racing NSR 500 Triples at the VMCC’s Festival of Jurby on Sunday, August 28 and again in the Classic Racer Magazine Lap of Honour on Monday, August 29.
Spencer’s busy schedule will also include the ‘Paddock Carnival’ chat show on Friday, August 26 and he will also attend the RST Legends Dinner on the Sunday evening.
Looking ahead to the Classic TT, Spencer said: “I’ve really enjoyed my visits to the Isle of Man and it’s a great chance to catch up with some old friends as well as meet some new ones.
“The Classic TT racing is really competitive and spectacular and I have a huge admiration for anyone that has raced around the Mountain Course.”
Spencer is one of the all-time motorcycle Grand Prix greats, first coming to prominence back in 1978 – winning the 250cc US National Road Racing Championship.
He gained international recognition two years later, at the 1980 U.S. versus Britain Trans-Atlantic Match races when he won two legs, defeating World Champions Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene in the process.
He was promoted to Honda’s Grand Prix team in 1982 and in his second season he won his first 500cc World Championship at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person to do so.
The 1983 season is remembered as one of the most dramatic title chases in the history of Grand Prix racing; Honda’s Spencer and Yamaha’s Roberts fought for the points lead throughout the championship with both earning six victories.
The season reached its climax at the penultimate round in Sweden when Roberts ran off the track on the last lap leaving Spencer to sprint to the finish line and victory. Roberts won the last race but Spencer finished second, securing his first world title by two points.
Spencer would win a third 500cc title in 1985, winning the 250cc title in the same season – the last person to achieve this impressive feat.
His career was cut short by wrist injuries and he retired from Grand Prix racing at the beginning of 1988.
Other legendary names already confirmed to attend the Classic TT include Graeme Crosby, Mick Grant, Philip McCallen and Brian Reid.
