ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT

Further nostalgia will be in force at this year’s Classic TT with the Ultra Lightweight Race being added to the programme.

Running alongside the Lightweight Race, for the 250cc machines, the Ultra Lightweight race gives continued recognition to Supersport 400cc machines whilst also opening the door for 125cc two-strokes to make a return to the Mountain Course.

These smaller but fiercely competitive machines will take centre stage once more, bringing back the spirit of the Ultra Lightweight TT - a fan favourite that delivered unforgettable battles during the 1990’s featuring the likes of Ian Lougher, Robert Dunlop, and Joey Dunlop.

A permanent fixture on the TT race schedule between 1954 and 1974, when it was part of the FIM World Championship, the Ultra-Lightweight race was re-introduced in 1989 when Robert Dunlop won the first of three consecutive victories.

Brother Joey then took over with his own hat-trick and during that period the RS Honda was the machine of choice with Lougher one of the few riders to campaign an Aprilia. By 1994 though, the TZ Yamaha, although sill very much in the minority, became a force to be reckoned with particularly in the hands of Mick Lofthouse.

The Honda is expected to be the more favoured machine once more at the Classic TT, and will be the one to beat, but in the right hands the Yamaha and Aprilia will make for formidable opposition.