CLASSIC TT
Dodgy weather fails to dampen the mood at the Manx Festival’s racing programme, as emotions run high
Fabulous pictures from the Island. A fella called Mcguinness did well
The 2018 Classic TT produced a victorious Mountain course comeback for John Mcguinness, along with a win for Dean Harrison in the Superbike race, but it was the bad weather that dominated proceedings at this year’s Manx festival.
With several days lost to rain and the proverbial mist on the mountain, the organisers were forced to abandon practice sessions and Friday’s paddock carnival. But on the bright side, all of the racing eventually took place after major delays.
Mcguinness’s victory on Roger Winfield’s Paton was an emotional affair for the 23-time TT winner who hadn’t raced on the Mountain course since smashing his leg in a crash at the 2017 North West 200.
“I was pretty tired because these bikes don’t half take it out
of you,” the 46-year-old said after his victory, in a race he led from start to finish.
“But that little bit of magic that you have inside just comes out and I enjoyed every minute of the race. It is an amazing feeling to win on the Mountain course again.” Jamie Coward steered the Ted Woof-prepared Craven Manx Norton to second, with Lee Johnston finishing third on the Davies Honda. Johnston went on to win the Lightweight 250cc race later in the day aboard the Padgetts RS250 Honda.
‘I just wish this was 20 years ago and we could ride these bikes at the actual TT,’ said Johnston afterwards.
The 55-year-old Ian Lougher finished third on a Laylaw Yamaha, behind
‘I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF THE RACE’
runner up-adam Mclean (Binch Yamaha).
Monday’s races saw a third of the machines retire in both the 350cc Junior and Superbike races, leaving Dominic Herbertson to claim victory on the Davies Honda in the Junior ahead of Jamie Coward (Woof/craven Norton) and Lee Johnston (Davies Honda).
Dean Harrison’s Superbike win on the Silicone ZXR750 Kawasaki was no surprise. A lap of 126.041mph on the second circuit gave him victory by over a minute from Horst Saiger (Greenall’s Kawasaki) and Conor
Cummins riding the Padgetts Yamaha YZR500.
“It’s harder to win a Classic TT than a real TT, because the bloody things break down all the time,” Harrison smiled afterwards.
“But I love riding these bikes because I am a real biking enthusiast.” Away from the racing, John Mcguinness rode an emotive parade lap on Mike Hailwood’s 1978 Formula One Tt-winning Sports Motorcycles Ducati. Bruce Anstey also returned to the Island after his battle with cancer, to ride his Padgetts RC213V-S Honda.