A MODERN CLASSIC: THE HISTORY OF THE CLASSIC TT
As we gear up for its long-awaited return, the Classic TT will once again remind us what it’s all about - the heroes, the machines, the stories and the spectacle.
A true celebration of the sport’s golden eras, the Classic TT captures everything we love about motorcycle racing at its purest. From legendary riders and iconic machines to emotional tributes and unforgettable moments, it’s an event that doesn’t just honour history, it brings it roaring back to life.
First introduced in 2013, the Classic TT wasted no time in making its mark and capturing hearts. Right from the start, it became a favourite fixture for teams, riders and fans alike, offering the unmistakable sights, smells and sounds of yesteryear, wrapped up in world-class competition.
The classic racing community embraced it instantly. Winfield Racing, Molnar Racing, Davies Motorsport, Ripley Land Racing, and Team Classic Suzuki were just some of the standout teams present at the inaugural Classic TT, joined by the renowned McIntosh Racing, who made the journey all the way from New Zealand. The machinery on show was equally impressive - from Norton to Paton, AJS to Yamaha, and MV Agusta to Aermacchi.
The rider line-up was no less star-studded. Michael Dunlop MBE, Bruce Anstey, Conor Cummins, Cameron Donald, Dean Harrison, James Hillier, Gary Johnson, and William Dunlop were all in action. Michael Dunlop claimed victory in the Formula One race, while Dean Harrison took the win in the Formula Classic, narrowly edging out Gavin Lupton by just 0.2 seconds on a BSA triple in a race to remember.
That opening year also saw Olie Linsdell triumph in the 500cc Classic TT, while Jonathan Cutts in the 250cc Classic TT and Chris Palmer added their names to the winners’ list - the latter bringing his race career to an end in fine style with wins in both the 350cc Classic and Formula 2 races.
The opening year saw Olie Linsdell triumph in the 500cc Classic TT
Unsurprisingly, the event only grew in stature. Nowhere was that more evident than in the 2014 Classic 500cc grid, which was bursting at the seams with over 70 riders set to line-up. Among them were TT legends John McGuinness MBE and Michael Rutter, along with nine-time TT winner Charlie Williams, making a remarkable return to the Mountain Course some thirty years after retirement. Lee Johnston, Ryan Farquhar, Steve Mercer and Ian Lougher also added serious depth to the field.
Lougher claimed victory in the Classic 500cc race on a Paton, despite being hit with a time penalty for speeding in pitlane. Padgetts Motorcycles joined the grid that year too, bringing their ex-500cc YZR500 Grand Prix Yamaha - and Bruce Anstey delivered a masterclass, lapping at 123.894mph to take the Formula 1 win after Michael Dunlop was forced to retire on lap two.
Lap speeds continued to climb across the board. Lee Johnston, riding for Black Eagle Racing, set a new 350cc lap record at 105.239mph on his way to victory in the Classic 350cc race.
Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop continued to rack up victories across the classes. The 2015 Formula 1 Classic TT delivered a close battle between Dunlop and Bruce Anstey as the pair were never more than a few seconds apart, but it was Anstey who came out on top, setting a new lap record of 126.261mph on his 500cc Yamaha. That year also saw new names added to the Classic TT winners’ list, with triumphs for Michael Rutter and Ryan Kneen.
Norton’s storied legacy at the TT took centre stage in 2015, with a special celebration featuring Rem Fowler’s 1907 race-winning machine and Geoff Duke’s 1949 Clubmans TT bike on display. Adding to the spectacle, the full collection of 588cc rotary Nortons was also brought to the Island, offering fans a rare glimpse of the iconic machinery.
Bruce Anstey riding the Geoff Duke-replica 1949 Clubmans TT Norton
In 2016, the spotlight turned to Joey Dunlop, whose extraordinary career was celebrated in fitting style. Many of his former race bikes were not only displayed but also taken around the Mountain Course by some of his fiercest rivals, including Mick Grant, Kiwi Graeme Crosby, and Ron Haslam. The event’s festivities extended skyward too, as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight filled the skies with a Hurricane, a Spitfire, and a Lancaster bomber.
That same year, John McGuinness finally added his name to the Classic TT roll of honour with victory in the Senior Classic. Michael Dunlop claimed a double, winning both the Junior and Superbike Classic TT, while Bruce Anstey set the fastest ever lap by a 250cc machine to take the Lightweight win.
In 2017, Anstey made history once again. A blistering 120.475mph lap saw him become the first rider to break the 120mph barrier on a 250cc machine around the Mountain Course. Rutter took the Junior honours, while Dean Harrison won the Superbike Classic TT with an incredible 127.496mph lap - a record that still stands today.
The growing prestige of the Classic TT was further underlined when British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes secured victory in the Senior race aboard the Winfield Paton. Off the track, the Classic TT Heroes Dinner gave fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sit beside their road racing heroes.
Josh Brookes after his Senior Classic TT win
Year after year, the heroes of the past were honoured in spectacular fashion. In 2017, Michael Dunlop took part in a tribute lap aboard a 1957 Bob McIntyre-replica 500cc Gilera - a tribute to the Scot’s achievement 60 years earlier, when he became the first rider to lap the Mountain Course at over 100mph. That same year, a fleet of Britten machines made the journey from New Zealand in memory of their visionary creator, John Britten.
In 2018, it was Mike Hailwood’s iconic 1978 comeback that took centre stage, with John McGuinness riding Hailwood’s race-winning Sports Motorcycles Ducati. The legendary Honda six also returned to the Mountain Course that year. It was a season rich in celebration - marking 30 years since the launch of the RC30, with the paddock packed with former racing machines once ridden by Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Freddie Spencer, Steve Ward, Nick Jefferies, Johnny Rea, and Kenny Irons.
Across the paddock, pop-up displays captured the imagination. Triumph, Benelli, and Team Obsolete’s stunning collection were just some of the showstoppers - everywhere you turned, a rider or machine was being celebrated. Every corner was alive with history, each display offering something to stop you in your tracks.
The last Classic TT before the hiatus came in 2019 - and it was emotional to say the least. Steve Hislop’s legendary career was honoured in fitting style, with Giacomo Agostini making a poignant return to the Mountain Course aboard his 350cc MV Agusta.
But the loudest cheer was reserved for Bruce Anstey. The much-loved Kiwi overcame cancer to make a remarkable comeback - and promptly won the Lightweight race for a third time. John McGuinness added a third Senior title to his tally, while there were emotional maiden victories for Jamie Coward in the Junior Classic TT and David Johnson in the Superbike Classic TT.
And now it’s back. With a legacy like this behind it, and a 2025 line-up packed with TT greats, the Classic TT is ready to reclaim its place as the spiritual home of classic racing.
Check out the full Classic TT schedule: iomttraces.com/classic
