A tub-thumping nostalgia-fest will open this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts as the annual Classic TT Paddock Carnival turns back the clock with music, stunt shows, historic bike displays and collections – all accompanied by some of the greatest names in road racing history.

Eight time TT Race winner Charlie Williams will kick start the four day Classic TT Festival on Friday 24th August when he introduces 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness and Sports Motorcycles Ducati’s Steve Wynne to the Classic TT Main Stage.

Charlie will be talking about the ’78 Comeback Special’ – the celebrations recognising Mike Hailwood’s thrilling, victorious, against the odds return to the top step of the Isle of Man TT in which the pair will play a central role. Mike’s ‘78 Race winning Ducati will also be on display in the paddock.

The thirtieth anniversary of the iconic RC30 Honda also features at this year’s Classic TT with a unique display of some of the most memorable machines from the Japanese marque’s illustrious history. Charlie will be chatting with Phillip McCallen, who set the fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course on an RC30, Nick Jefferies, who rode an RC30 to victory in the 1993 Formula 1 TT Race and Tom Sewell of the RC30 Owners Club.

This year’s Classic TT Races will also be featured with Charlie talking to some of the leading contenders including Dean Harrison, Josh Brookes, Lee Johnston, Conor Cummins and James Hillier who will be looking to make their mark in the final qualifying session later in the evening ahead of the two Classic TT Race days.

The stage will also play host to live music that will further evoke memories of historic Mountain Course races as rock and roll returns to Glencrutchery Road while 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.

This year’s Paddock Carnival will also feature the unscripted mayhem that comes with the Purple Helmets, who will be presenting their motorcycle slapstick stunt show in pit lane which can be seen – for free – from the vantage point of the TT Grandstand.

The paddock will also feature a display of both road and racing Triumph and BSA triple motorcycles and associated memorabilia organised by The Trident and Rocket 3 Owners Club (TR3OC) As part of the 50th Anniversary

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.


The full schedule for the 2018 Classic TT Paddock Carnival is:

12:00: Charlie Williams introduction to Classic TT Paddock Carnival

12:05: ’78 Comeback Special: Mike Hailwood Celebration Lap Chat Show with JohnMcGuinness and Steve Wynne

12.20: Live Music

13.00: Graham Hardy as George Formby

13.10: Honda RC30 30th Anniversary Chat Show with Philip McCallen, Nick Jefferies and Tom Sewell

14.30: Purple Helmets Stunt Show in Pit Lane

15.00: Live Music

15.45: Classic TT Race Preview Chat Show – Dean Harrison, Josh Brookes, Lee Johnston, Conor Cummins and James Hillier

16:00: Show and Shine Awards Presentation