MCGUINNESS TO LEAD STRONG HISTORIC JUNIOR CLASSIC TT LINE-UP

The Classic TT makes a long-awaited return in 2025 and first to fire into life is the three-lap Historic Junior Classic TT, which gets race week underway on Wednesday 27th August - led off the line by none other than John McGuinness MBE on the 350cc Steadplan Honda.

John McGuinness MBE will once again lead the way, off at #1

The ever-popular Honda CB350 K4 dominates the entry, with all but two of the seeded riders Honda mounted. McGuinness will be followed down Glencrutchery Road by 2023 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Joe Yeardsley, riding the Ken Rutter Racing Honda, and then, ten seconds later, it’s the turn of Dean Harrison.

Harrison, winner of the 2015 Senior Classic TT, will be a key contender aboard the Craven Classic Racing/Ted Woof machine. He’s joined by team-mate Jamie Coward at number four - himself a former race winner in 2019, with second and third place finishes also to his name.

Former race winner Jamie Coward will have high hopes

The number five plate belongs to Michael Evans on the second Ken Rutter Racing machine. With a gap at number six, Adam McLean heads away next at number seven, riding the Flitwick Motorcycles by Melbray London Honda.

At number eight will be another pre-race favourite, Davey Todd. The three-time TT winner remains relatively new to classic racing machines but as team-mate to McGuinness, he’s sure to feature prominently on the second Steadplan Racing machine.

At number nine, it’s local hero Dan Sayle aboard the John Chapman Racing Honda, followed by Paul Jordan at number ten on a Davies Motorsport-prepared Honda, one of the paddock’s most respected Classic specialists.

Following another gap at number 11, it’s last year’s Classic Junior Manx Grand Prix winner Harley Rushton who sets off next. He impressed greatly on his Mountain Course debut and this year will ride a Honda for Chris Hughes Racing.

Michael Sweeney starts at number 13 for CSC Racing/IMS Ltd, with Alan Oversby following on the Ruthless Racing Honda. The first non-Honda breaks the pattern at number 15 - Shaun Anderson on the distinctive, ear-splitting WizNorton Racing DKW W2000.

Another leading Classic racing exponent, Will Loder heads away at 16, with Barry Furber close behind on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Ducati Sebring machine. The top twenty is rounded out by three more Honda riders: Julian Trummer (Faraldo Racing), Maurizio Bottalico (Atherstone Accident Repair Centre/Team Venditti), and Andy Hornby (HEL Performance/Opie Oils Ltd).

There’s quality and experience throughout the field, and further down the order fans can look forward to strong rides from James Chawke, Maria Costello MBE, Jonathan Perry, Sam Johnson, Paul Cassidy, Rhys Hardisty, and Chris Moore. Meanwhile, fan favourite and 2018 race winner Dominic Herbertson is hopeful of securing a late ride.

The Classic TT returns in 2025 with the very best of classic racing and legendary names - both past and present - taking on the Mountain Course. Join us from 20-29 August 2025 and witness history in motion.

2025 Historic Junior Classic TT Seeded Top 20, at a glance:

Date: 28th July 2025

WORDS: PHIL WAIN

2026 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES

MCGUINNESS TO LEAD STRONG HISTORIC JUNIOR CLASSIC TT LINE-UP

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