Okells 350cc and 250cc Classic TT set to be a heady brew
The combined Okells 350cc and 250cc Races promise to be one of the highlights of the Classic TT presented by Bennett’s.
Representing the former Junior (350cc) and Lightweight (250cc) classes of the Isle of Man TT Races both are steeped in the rich history of classic road racing.
At the Classic TT presented by Bennett’s the races will take place concurrently on Monday 26th August with separate prizes for each class.
Interest in the 350cc category has been particularly good with over 60 entries received - up by a third on last year’s corresponding Manx Grand Prix race.
Roy Richardson gets the honour of leading the field away on the very rapid FCL Racing / Martin Bullock Manxsport Aermacchi. The Blackpool rider led the first lap of the 2012 MGP 350cc Classic before mechanical troubles forced an early bath. Nonetheless the ten-time MGP winner is likely to be a major contender for victory.
Last year’s winner, Chris Palmer, will take to the course once more on the Ripley Land Racing 350cc Honda which has repeatedly proved itself to be fast as well as reliable – an important mix in classic racing.
Another contender on proven Honda machinery will be Olie Linsdell who takes over the Team Winfield bike previously taken to MGP victory by Ryan Farquhar. With lots of TT and classic MGP experience Olie will be one to watch in the Junior class for sure.
Alan Oversby is joined on the immaculately prepared and presented Davies Motorsport Honda machines by William Dunlop, fresh from scoring a podium finish at the TT.
James Hillier is another TT podium finisher making his classic racing debut on the Mountain Course. As in the Senior (500cc) class he’ll be competing on a Honda for the CSC Racing team.
The TT riders will adapt to racing old-fashioned machinery quickly enough but what they might not be prepared for is the skill, and speed, of classic racing specialists such as Nigel Moore, Paul Coward, Bruno Leroy and Dave Madsen-Mygdal all of whom will be riding Hondas.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a classic race without lots of British single cylinder machines. AJS won’t have much in the way of numerical representation but both Cameron Donald and Mark Herbertson can be relied on to push hard to get the iconic 7R on the podium.
Two-time TT winner Donald will be mounted on the Ripley Land Racing machine which Alan Oversby rode to a fine fourth place in 2012.
Herbertson, one of the most consistent performers at the Manx GP in recent years, will ride for Gilbert Brown and Son Transport Ltd.
MGP regulars Keith Dixon and Meredydd Owen will also campaign bikes from the Plumstead factory.
Norton, as is to be expected, will have strong representation for the 350cc race.
TT star Conor Cummins rides a Dunnell-prepared Manx Norton while fellow competitor Dan Cooper has opted for one of Andy Molnar’s potent Manx machines.
David Burrell, Edward Poole, Paul Matravers and Grant Sellars will also ride the most famous of all TT bikes on its home tarmac. Meanwhile Phillip McGurk will provide the lone representation for another icon of the British motorcycle industry with his 350cc BSA Goldie.
Italian marques are well represented: last year’s 350cc MGP runner-up Chris Swallow and regular top-five finisher Allan Brew will both ride Aermacchis; Roger Birkenhead and Christopher Bray ride 350cc Ducatis, Doug Snow has opted for a 340cc model.
Huge talent pool for 250cc class
Things are looking very healthy in the concurrently run 250cc category with almost 30 entries - again more than a third up on last year’s Manx GP Race.
Long time class supporters, Bob Jackson Racing, have no less than three Suzukis in the field, led by 8-time-TT Sidecar winning passenger Dan Sayle.
Dan will be ably supported by Maria Costello and newcomer Richard Ford.
Jackson’s brothers – Bud and Tom – will also be Suzuki mounted as they look to get their first Classic TT podiums.
Jim Hodson is another rider to opt for Suzuki power, as are Jonathan Cutts, Bob Simmons, Billy Cummins and Andy Wilson.
Former MGP winners Peter Wakefield, Peter Symes and Ewan Hamilton will rightly fancy their chances of inaugural Classic TT glory.
Barry Davidson, Henry Bell, David Brough and Geoff Bates lead Honda’s challenge; Dave Edwards campaigns for Yamaha.
Ducati are represented by Bob Millinship, Alan Smallbones and Colin Purslough.
However, one of the biggest threats could come from one of the two Kawasakis in the field. Five-time MGP winner Chris McGahan will be riding the Atherstone Accident Repair Centre bike. The USA’s David Crussell rides the other Kwacker.