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A tailored schedule for the Paddock Carnival as Classic TT qualifying ramps up

Friday 24 August 2018
Entertainment
Honda RC30 pop-up museum. Photo credit: Dave Kneen

The paddock carnival activity at the Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts on Friday has had to be adapted due to the additional afternoon qualifying session for the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix. This means that the ‘Show and Shine’ competition, the pit lane appearance by the Purple Helmets and the rider chat shows on stage have all been taken out of the programme.

However, organisers have confirmed that there will now be live music during the day on the stage courtesy of the Manx Jazz Aces and the inimitable Graham Hardy will again be stepping into the shoes of George Formby in honour of the celluloid star of the 1935 TT Races film No Limit.

An extensive collection of pop up museums, featuring some of the most iconic and well-known bikes of all time, will be on display in Nobles Park and behind the TT grandstand. These include the stunning collection of RC30 bikes brought together by the RC30 Owners Club to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the iconic Japanese bike.

Other pop up displays include a display of both road and racing Triumph and BSA triple motorcycles and associated memorabilia organised by The Trident & Rocket 3 Owners Club (TR3OC) as part of the 50th anniversary and Dick Shepherd’s eclectic collection of Triumph motorcycles including the bike that Steve McQueen rode in the Great Escape as well as historic and modern race bikes.

Another centrepiece to this year’s Classic TT Races Festival is the celebrations around the fortieth anniversary of Mike Hailwood’s incredible comeback TT victory in 1978 and you can see the original bike that Mike Hailwood rode in a dedicated paddock display ahead of Saturday’s John McGuinness Hailwood tribute parade lap. The free pop up museums and displays are due to open from 10am.

As well as the displays, there is also the chance to see some of the many iconic classic machines in the team awnings before the bikes are ridden in anger in the final qualifying session later that evening as well as the comprehensive display of bikes in Nobles Park that will be part of the ‘Show and Shine’ competition.

Some of the Isle of Man’s leading food producers will be on hand to offer great tasting artisan food including Dave’s Delicious Dogs and there are freshly prepared healthy foods as well as some traditional favourites while Heron & Brearley’s now well established Trackide Bar will open at 12 noon in time for fans to get into position before the afternoon qualifying session which gets underway at 2pm with the evening session scheduled for 6.20pm – two chances to see some of the most iconic Classic Bikes take to the course for the final qualifying session ahead of Saturday’s first Race Day.

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