Pre-TT Classic Road Races Visitors Guide :
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the Pre-TT Classic Road Races in order to bring you a basic Visitors’ Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course and plenty of other useful information.
Updated for 2026
History :
The Pre-TT Classic Road Races came into being in 1988 at the request of the then TT organisers, the then Auto Cycle Union, Classics having first appeared on the Billown course twelve months earlier at the popular Southern ‘100’ Road Races.’ The first TT Classic Races were held on the 31st May1988, the meeting consisting of four races, 250cc/350c; 500cc; Unlimited and Sidecars and attracted 115 entries in all.
Honour of being the first race winner went to Graham Godward of Royston in Hertfordshire, riding a 350cc Aermacchi, whilst the 250cc category was dominated by ‘local’ classic man Mike Cain from Onchan on his 250cc Suzuki. Dave Pither, Seeley Matchless took the 500cc race from Richard Swallow on Syd Lawton’s Aermacchi with Alan Dugdale third. Riding a BSA Metisse, Stroud’s Robert Price finished first in the Unlimited race, whilst the controversial MV Agusta sidecar outfit of Mark Kay and Richard Battisson took the chequered flag in the final race of the day. The Classics had arrived at Billown!
Thirty plus years on, the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races is rated as one of the most popular and ‘must do’ events in the annual Classic calendar attracting well over 250 entries for its nine-race event.
For further information on the Pre-TT Road Races click here.
Pre-TT Classic Road Races Tickets :
The Pre-TT Road Races is a free event. Spectators can visit and find any number of superb vantage spots (for free) around the 4.25 miles of the circuit. There are also a couple of grandstands run by the Southern 100 Club, they are very reasonably priced and if you fancy a guaranteed seat for the day they are a great way to go.
Even though the event is free, it is important to support the sport and one way to do this is to visit the Merchandise Tent, or the Club Hall or Burger van. The breakfasts are great and really well priced! Programmes are also available and are filled with interesting articles, stories, photographs and information about the event. Programmes are available for sale at the circuit.
Pre-TT Classic Road Races Circuit : (Southern 100 Circuit)
The Pre-TT Classic Road Races Circuit shares its asphalt with the Southern 100. The circuit is at Billown, Castletown in the South of the Island and is 4.25 miles per lap.
You can find full details about how to get to the Billown Circuit on the Official Southern 100 Site.
Vantage Points :
- Start/Finish Grandstand – refreshments and limited parking
- Ballakeighan – The COLAS Grandstand – Castletown Corner Grandstand – refreshments, toilets and limited parking
- Derek Nicholson Grandstand in the Winners Enclosure Club Headquarters – refreshments, toilets and merchandise shop
Other Vantage Points:
- Iron Gate – toilet and limited parking before roads close
- Joey’s Gate – limited parking before roads close
- Ballabeg Hairpin – refreshments, toilet
- Cross Four-ways – refreshments,toilet
- Church Bends – refreshments, toilet and limited parking before roads close
- Stadium Bend – refreshments, toilet and limited parking before roads close
Pre-TT Classic Road Races Bike / Car Parking :
Parking is available in Castletown and as mentioned above in the Vantage Points Section. If you park inside the circuit you will not be able to leave with your vehicle until roads reopen. The locals are extremely friendly and accommodating and parking in the nearby housing estate has never been an issue.
However if you do park in here please arrive and leave with respect for the residents, and don’t block any access or driveways.
2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races Schedule :
Please Note : This Schedule is subject to change.
The 2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races will run on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May 2026.
2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races Practice Schedule :
Practice Schedule : Friday 22nd May & Saturday 23rd May 2026 :
Race Schedule : Saturday 23rd May & Sunday 24th May 2025 :
Number Plates :
Backgrounds and Numbers/Fonts shall be as specified in the ACU Handbook and must be supplied by the competitor.
The number plates and backgrounds on display on each machine represent the following classes:
Bike Classes at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races :
There are detailed specifications that must be met by every bike of each category available via the Regulations Booklet.
The Classes that complete at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races are :
- SINGLES : for solo single cylinder machines of over 120cc but not exceeding 350cc – Class A up to 250cc and Class B 251cc to 350cc
- CLASSICS : for solo machines of 400cc but not exceeding 1100cc
- JUNIOR SUPERBIKES : Class A for Post Classic Superbikes 230cc to 350cc two stroke plus 600cc four stroke four cylinder machines & 750cc four stroke twin cylinder machines, Class B for Post Classic 400cc four strokes
- SIDECARS : for Classic three-wheeler machines of over 300cc but not exceeding 1300cc
- SENIOR CLASSICS : for solo machines over 351cc but not exceeding 500cc
- LIGHTWEIGHT CLASSICS + 125 POST CLASSICS : Class A forfor solo machines of over 175cc but not exceeding 250cc. and Class B for post Classic 125cc Machines as per the Classic Club Eligibility
- JUNIOR CLASSICS : for solo machines of over 251cc but not exceeding 350cc,
- SENIOR SUPERBIKES : for Post Classic Superbikes from 601cc to 1300cc
Road Racing Flags and Their Meanings :
https://tbni.blog/2022/05/18/road-racing-flags/
Pre-TT Classic Road Races Racing Coverage :
Full coverage of the Pre-TT Classic Road Races will be available via Manx Radio. Coverage is also broadcast around the circuit by a closed circuit PA system. Manx Radio coverage will be available via AM and online.
- Manx Radio’s AM Frequency is 1368 kHz AM
Official Sites :
- Southern 100 Official Site
- Southern 100 ‘Pre-TT Pages’
- Southern 100 Facebook Page
- Southern 100 Twitter / X Page
It’s the Dogs knob!,can’t wait to get into the IOM atmosphere.
Thank you
CJ
Have an amazing trip!