2024 Pre-TT Classic Road Races

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.

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Updated for 2026

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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