RACE PROGRAMME AND OTHER DETAILS CONFIRMED FOR 2014 CLASSIC TT PRESENTED BY BENNETTS

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The Isle of Man Government, Department of Economic Development has today confirmed the race programme for the 2014 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

Following a week of practice and qualifying, the race programme will get underway with the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race on Saturday 23rd August. The second and final day of racing takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August with the Okells 350cc Classic TT Race being followed by the combined Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic TT Races.

The Classic TT Races form part of a four-day festival of motorcycle nostalgia from the 22nd to 25th August, which also includes a Paddock Carnival, classic racing machinery displays, photographic exhibitions, the Festival of Jurby and a whole host of social events. The Classic TT is one of the events that make up the 2014 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling between August 16 and August 31. The festival also includes the Manx Grand Prix (27th to 29th August), Manx 2-Day Trial (23rd and 24th August) , Manx Classic Trial (30th and 31st August) and the VMCC rally and The Festival of Jurby (24th August).

Following the success of the inaugural Classic TT, the Department has reviewed all aspects of the event and carried out consultation with teams, competitors, commercial partners and race fans with a view to refining and building upon the 2013 activity.

This review has led to a number of racing specific changes for 2014 including the withdrawal of the 250cc and Formula Classic TT Races. Whilst machines from these races will still be allowed to compete (in the 350cc and Formula 1 Classic TT Races respectively) the limited numbers of entries and finishers in 2013 has led to the decision to remove them from the programme.
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A number of new awards have been added for 2014 to recognise the achievements of different specifications of machinery in the races. These awards will be presented in a tribute to some of the greatest names in TT history, and will feature these legendary riders helmet iconography in the trophy design. The new awards will be as follows –

– The Joey Dunlop Classic TT Trophy (Presented to the rider of the first 750cc machine to finish in the Formula 1 Classic TT Race).

– The Mike Hailwood Classic TT Trophy (Presented to the rider of the first 500cc single cylinder machine in the 500cc Classic TT Race).

– The Geoff Duke Classic TT Trophy (Presented to the rider of the first 350cc single cylinder machine in the 350cc Classic TT Race).

– The Phil Read Classic TT Trophy (Presented to the rider of the first 250cc machine in the 350cc Classic TT Race
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The competitor sub class categories have also been redefined for 2014. The ‘GP Rider’ and ‘Privateer Rider’ competitor sub classes were introduced to ensure competitors of all abilities and experience could compete in the Classic TT Races in an environment that promotes equality and sportsmanship. The sub classes were used to determine the awarding of trophies, replicas and qualification times.
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Changes for 2014 will see the qualification for the ‘GP Rider’ sub class be defined as follows:

– A rider who has finished in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a 500cc, 350cc, Formula 1 or Formula 2 Classic TT Race in any of the previous two years.

– A rider who has lapped at a threshold speed in a 500cc, 350cc, Formula 1 or Formula 2 Classic TT Race in any of the previous two years. These threshold speeds will be105mph in 500cc, 100mph in 350cc, 115mph in Formula 1 and 108mph in Formula 2.

– A rider who has finished in the top 20 in a Superbike, Supersport, Superstock or Senior TT Race in any of the previous two years.

– In exceptional circumstances any other rider at the promoters discretion based on their experience and machinery.
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Work is ongoing in co-operation with the Classic TT Race Organisers, the Manx Motor Cycle Club, to identify improvements to practice and qualification track time allocation as well as logistical issues relating to technical inspections and the Parc Ferme ahead of next year’s event.

The technical regulations for the Classic TT Races are also currently under review, and whilst some minor amendments are likely to be made, there are currently no plans to make any significant alterations to the key technical specifications. The full regulations for the Classic TT will be released along with those for the Manx Grand Prix Races in early 2014.