The first Pre-TT Classic Races on the Billown Course were held on 31st May 1988, the meeting consisting of four races, a combined 250cc/350cc; 500cc; Unlimited and Sidecars and attracted 115 entries in all.

Additional classes have been introduced and some classes replaced over the years with the present Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races catering for Single Cylinder 250/350cc; Lightweight 250cc; Junior 350cc; Senior 500cc; Unlimited 850cc; Junior Post Classic; Senior Post Classic Superbikes and the ever-popular Sidecars.

Classics have become synonymous with close, competitive racing as well as bringing a touch of nostalgia, along with the exotic sounds and smells of past racing periods, especially so on the 4.25-mile Colas Billown circuit during the Blackford Financial Services Pre TT-Classic Road Races, with 215 races having been run in the 30 year period 1988 to 2017, with no less than 27,490 racing laps having been completed, which equates to 116,832.500 miles!

30 Years of Classics at Billown compiled by Phil Edge takes a brief look back at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races on the Billown Course as it celebrates 30 years of one of the most popular races held annually in the Classic Racing Calendar.

Priced at £10.00 plus £2.00 p&p is available by contacting the Southern 100 Racing Club, via email, through georgepeach@manx.net.