Blackford's Pre-TT Road Races Set to be a Classic Meeting

As has happened in previous years, the organising Southern '100' Racing have added an additional race

The 2009 Blackford Financial Services Pre-TT Classic Road Races, which has for twenty years traditionally opened the Isle of Man TT Festival, is set once again to witness some great racing around the Billown Course on Friday, Saturday and Monday 29th, 30th May and 1st June.

As has happened in previous years, the organising Southern '100' Racing have added an additional race to the three-day event to accommodate the number of entries received.

The 2009 Blackford's Pre-TT Classic Road Races has attracted many previous victors, including all of the 2008 winners, back to defend their top podium spots.

Double winner last year Alan Oversby has a trio of Craven machines at his disposal, as the Bolton-le-Sands man hopes to improve on his tally twelve months earlier.

Alan will be campaigning a pair of the Brian Richard's MV3's at this year's Manx Grand Prix.

Fellow Lancastrian, Roy Richardson, who took the laurel wreath in the Junior race last year, has the 350cc and 500cc FCL Aermacchi's alongside Martin Bullock's 350cc Honda for the three events he has entered.

Whilst Lightweight winner Terry Kermode once again brings out his tried and trusted TD1C Yamaha for the quarter-litre class Post Classic races, plus a 350cc Aermacchi for the Singles and Junior classes.

Huddersfield's Bill Swallow, with 14 wins to his credit returns in the hope of equalling and possibly improving on
Bob Heath's record of 15 victories in the Billown Classic Races with two rides in the Singles and Junior events.

Nick Houghton and Paul Thomas also hope to repeat their success of last year in the Sidecar Race on their Nourish Weslake outfit.

Support Race winner from twelve months ago, past motocross rider par excellence, Arthur Browning is also back looking for more success on the brace of singles he will have with him.
One notable absentee is six-time local winner Chris Palmer, as he takes a sabbatical from the Classic scene for the season.

However, these stalwarts will have their work cut out, as no win is taken for granted around the 4.25-mile Billown Course as the cream of the classic brigade endeavour to be first past the chequered flag during the seven race programme.

Certainly, local man, Dave Madsen-Mygdal, Scottish regulars, Wattie Brown and Ewan Hamilton along with Roger Birkenhead, Rich Hawkins, New Zealander, Paul Dobbs, Mark Parrett, Chris Swallow, Paul Coward, and Chris McGahan amongst others will be wanting a share of the silverware and prize fund that is available.

Similarly in the Sidecar category, Greg Lambert, Bernard Collonge, Eddy Wright and Ralf Engelhardt are in with a
shout to take the three-wheeler honours.

The Blackford's Pre-TT Classic Road Races have produced some close exciting racing around the course, that is home to the annual Southern '100' Road Races and 2009 will see the example being set once again as the event brings this year's TT Festival to life!

Read More