Bumper Entry for Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic
With the Blackford Financial Services Pre-TT Classic Road Races, only days away promoters, Southern 100 Racing are pleased to confirm that a total of 318 entries have been accepted for this year’s races, which take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 26th, 27th & 28th May 2023
Last year’s race winners, Mike Hose, Dominic Herbertson, Simon Lehane, Chris Moore and Sidecar winners Rod Bellas / Glen Dawson and Danny Quirk / Dylan Weston head a list of the crème de la crème of Classic Racers as they compete for a share of the £14,540.00 prize fund over a total of nine races.
The Senior (500cc) and Junior (350cc) races have proved the most popular, both saw Dominic Herbertson take the winners laurels in 2022 repeating his double in 2018.
This year in the Greystone LLC 500cc Race the Hexham rider will have previous winners Alan Oversby, Mike Hose, Steven Elliott, Jamie Coward to keep his mind on the job, along with the likes of Will Loder, Barry Davidson, Adam McLean and Keith Shannon to name just a few to contend with before the chequered flag appears after eight hectic laps of the 4.25-mile Colas Billown Course.
The above ‘culprits’ also join the mix for the Vintage MCC (IOM Section) 350cc Race, with the addition of Chris McGahan, Gary Hutton, Dennis Booth, adding to the excitement.
The A D Hewett Dental Practice 1100cc Race has once again attracted a full grid headed by 2022 winner Herbertson and fellow podium men Oversby and Coward, and ensuring a close race, Mike Hose, Steven Elliott, Barry Davidson, Adam McLean, Dave Maltravers, Neil Lloyd plus others will keep them honest.
Office Equipment Centre once again sponsor the 350cc/250cc Singles Race and last year’s winners Mike Hose and Andy Hunt appear to be the men to beat. Amongst those who will be out to do just that include Will Loder, Ian Bainbridge, Ed Poole, Vic Haskell, Keith Shannon, Chris McGahan, Jim Porter, Sam Kinkead, Rich Bool, Gareth Arnold, and Adrian Skaife.
The six lap Quine & Cubbon Printers Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight Race has attracted thirty entries and once again it would appear that Mike Hose will be the man to get the better of on his 250cc Ariel Arrow. The Moreton man will have Ewan Hamilton, Richard Ford, Barry Davidson, Keith Shannon, and others to keep at bay in his attempt to get to the chequered flag and retain his trophy.
In the Post Classic 125cc class, only podium man from last year entered is Mark Herbertson (3rd) but he will have opposition from Dan Sayle, Gareth Arnold, and Simon Lehane amongst others.
The UGGLY Post Classic Superbike Race will have another twenty-eight competitors vying for the winner’s laurels, they include last year’s top three, Mike Hose, Joe Yeardsley and Andy Sailor. Add Jamie Coward, Rhys Hardisty, Paul Jordan, Hefyn Owen and Dennis Booth to the mix and others to be sure of an exciting race.
Chris Moore won the Geoff Duke Junior Superbike Race last year and returns to hopefully keep hold of the prized trophy. However, another twenty-two competitors also have an eye on the prize, including Ewan Hamilton, Barry Davidson, Dan Sayle, Tom Snow, and Simon Lehane.
The two Sidecar races at this year’s Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races, have their first race on the Saturday evening after three solo races and the ‘chairs’ bring the curtain down on the main race day, Sunday.
Both 2022 race winners and passengers return to duel it out again with other previous winners Mike Bellaby/Andy Smith; Eddy Wright/Trevor Johnson; Wal Saunders/Bob Dowty, along with regular entries Greg Lambert/ Andrew Haynes and Tony Thirkell/William Morralee
It is encouraging to see a total of 25 Solo Newcomers are racing this year, plus two Sidecar Drivers and five Passengers.
Southern 100 Racing look forward to welcoming all competitors, officials, marshals, and race fans, old and new to the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races 2023 and wish everyone a safe, exciting, and enjoyable time whilst on the Isle of Man.
