Full grids are guaranteed at the Blackford Financial Services Pre TT Classic Road Races with over 200 entries having been received for the prestigious Classic event which annually brings the Isle of Man TT Festival to life.

The eight race programme caters for single cylinder 250cc & 350cc machines, Lightweight 250cc, Junior 350cc, Senior 500cc, 850cc Classics, Classic Superbikes and Sidecars with all of the 2011 solo race winners return hoping to retain the silverware they collected at the unique prize presentation in Castletown Square last May.

Roy Richardson, triple winner last year is one of the favourites who will line up on the Castletown By-Pass when the ‘flag drops’ at the start of racing with a ‘brace’ of Aermacchi machines and 250cc Yamaha at his disposal hoping to add to his tally of nine victories achieved so far.

Long time competitor and Aermacchi rival Bill Swallow will be out to try and equal and even better the long standing most victories at this classic meeting, currently held by Bob Heath at 15. Mike Hose, Lightweight 250cc winner last year returns with his immaculately turned out Ariel Arrow twin, plus Bultaco and Yamaha machines as he hopes to add to his 10 race victories to date.

Seven times winner Chris Palmer must be in with a chance of at least one chequered flag with his Ripley Land machinery. Veteran competitor Ted Fenwick returns with his faithful 250cc Ducati single aiming to make it three-in-a-row, he will be carrying the number ‘84’ plate this year. After a 12-month sabbatical, Alan Oversby makes a welcome return on his ultra quick machines and will delight the many hundreds of classic enthusiasts lining the 4.25-mile Billown circuit when he brings out the fabulous looking and exotic sounding MV Agusta for the 500cc Senior race.

Other previous winners returning this year include Chris McGahan; who will debut a pair of four-cylinder 350 & 500 Hondas, along with a 250 Kawasaki twin, a 250 Montesa single and a Triumph Trident; Ewan Hamilton, Alan ‘Bud’ Jackson, Terry Kermode, Rich Hawkins and Roger Birkenhead, plus father and son double winners from last year Paul and Jamie Coward. Added interest in the 4-Hire Superbike Race is provided by the Trident Engineering entered 997 Suzuki to be ridden by Guy Martin.

The Blackford’s Pre TT Classic has attracted a total of 16 Newcomers in the Solo races this year, with a number of riders who made their debuts in 2011 returning to enjoy ‘the Billown Experience’. The ever popular Sidecar race has attracted 19 entries including two previous winners, Nick Houghton with Paul Thomas in the chair and Ralf Engelhardt and Winfried Viecenz making their annual trip from Germany. No less than three new crews are making the journey from Europe. Steve Demoux and Viviane Groetembre travel from Belgium, whilst Jose Nobre and Goulver Crochemo arrive from France, with Guido Reichmuth and Zita Gwerder coming from Switzerland.

The 2012 event commences on Friday Evening 25th May with the first Practice session and continues on Saturday Afternoon 26th May with the final practice, followed by the first race of the event, the 350cc and 250cc Singles race over six laps. Monday 28th May sees a full day of racing action, with the meeting concluding with the Prize Presentation and Concours d’ Elegance in Castletown Square on Tuesday Afternoon between 2.00pm and 4.00pm

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