INAUGURAL JUNIOR 600 CLASSIC TT ATTRACTS HIGH-CALIBRE ENTRY
The Junior 600 class is the latest addition to the schedule at the Classic TT Races with the three-lap race set to feature the machines that ruled the roost in the Supersport class during the 1990s, namely the Yamaha YZF-R6, Honda CBR600, Kawasaki ZX-6R and Suzuki GSX-R 600 SRAD.
With the class being new, predicting a winner will be no easy task, but the rider starting at number six will undoubtedly start as favourite – Michael Dunlop MBE. He rides the MD Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 SRAD, which although not the most popular of choices thirty years ago, is sure to be on the pace in the hands of the 36-time Isle of Man TT race winner.
The honour of starting at number one in the three-lap race goes to Laxey’s Joe Yeardsley, the 2023 Senior Manx Grand winner set to ride the Tony Leach Joinery Yamaha YZF-R6. Indeed, the top three riders are all mounted on the R6 with Brian McCormack (JRC Racing) and Barry Furber (Robinson Timber) set to follow Yeardsley down Glencrutchery Road.
Joe Yeardsley starts at number one aboard the Tony Leach Joinery Yamaha YZF-R6.
The first of the Kawasakis goes at number four in the hands of Marcus Simpson (Duckshaw Racing) and ten seconds later is another potential race favourite Rob Hodson. He rides the Neil Orford Haulage Yamaha YZF-R6.
After Dunlop at six, the first Honda will get underway at number seven with Jonathan Perry on board the Keith Woods-entered machine and he’s followed by Michael Russell (Complete Plumbing Solutions) on yet another Yamaha YZF-R6.
Another Kawasaki will line up at number nine with regular French visitor Timothee Monot on board the Morbihan-Moto machine with the top ten completed by Ryan Whitehall (Jason Morrow/WR Racing Yamaha YZF-R6).
A second Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD goes at number 11 with Tom Weeden (Club 77) and he’ll start ten seconds ahead of Tom Robinson (Peter Todd Racing Yamaha YZF-R6).
The number 13 position, like other classes, is again empty, but David Rigby (Daryl Blake Construction/Manncann/Heatmann) starts at number 14, the Manxman set to return to the Mountain Course after injury forced him out of this year’s TT.
The seeded riders are completed by Manxman Paul Cassidy (Gorilla Racing/Island Fuels Yamaha), Graham McAleese (FAO by PMCG DMAC Honda), Frenchman Julien Cregniot (Mitas Scorpion Monsieur Pingouin Yamaha), Dennis Booth (Yamaha) and Michael Mackinnon (Mackinnon Racing).
Other riders set to tackle the inaugural Junior 600 Classic TT race include Andy Hornby, Andy Lovett, Rodger Wibberley, Stephen Gorton, Michael Allen and Belgium newcomer, Laurent Hoffmann. The IRRC front runner is joined on the entry by fellow newcomer Matthew Rostron, the Southport having taken several top ten finishes at the TT as passenger to Wayne Lockey.
1 - Joe Yeardsley | Tony Leach Joinery | Yamaha YZF-R6
2 - Brian McCormack | JRC Racing | Yamaha YZF-R6
3 - Baz Furber | Robinson Timber | Yamaha YZF-R6
4 - Marcus Simpson | Duckshaw Racing | Kawasaki ZX-6R
5 - Rob Hodson | Neil Orford Haulage | Yamaha YZF-R6
6 - Michael Dunlop | MD Racing | Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD
7 - Jonathan Perry | Keith Woods | Honda CBR600
8 - Michael Russell | Complete Plumbing Solutions | Yamaha YZF-R6
9 - Timothee Monot | Morbihan-Moto | Kawasaki ZX-6R
10 - Ryan Whitehall | Jason Morrow / WR Racing | Yamaha YZF-R6
11 - Tom Weeden | Club 77 | Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD
12 - Tom Robinson | Peter Todd Racing | Yamaha YZF-R6
13 -
14 - David Rigby | Daryl Blake Construction / Manncann / Heatmann | Honda CBR600
15 -
16 - Paul Cassidy | Gorilla Racing / Island Fuels | Yamaha YZF-R6
17 - Graham McAleese | FAO by PMCG & DMAC | Honda CBR600
18 - Julien Cregniot | Mitas Scorpion Monsieur Pingouin | Yamaha YZF-R6
19 - Dennis Booth | No Sponsor | Yamaha YZF-R6
20 - Michael Mackinnon | Mackinnon Racing |
