Road Racing News: Greystone LLC 500cc Race Set for Exciting Showdown
The Greystone LLC 500cc Race at this year’s Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races is shaping up to be a wide-open affair. Last year’s winner, Adam McLean, will be absent, but the winning machine is returning, with Manx rider Joe Yeardsley in the saddle.
Yeardsley took his maiden victory on the Colas Billown Course in 2023 in the Senior Post Classic Superbike, setting a new lap record in the process. He will be looking to prove that his Royal Enfield win was no fluke. The 29-strong field includes other podium finishers from last year, such as Alan Oversby on the 500 Honda-4 and Andy Hornby on the Black Eagle 500 MV Agusta-3 cylinder.
“Alongside them, riders like Mike Browne, Steven Elliott, Gary Hutton, Will Loder, Barry Davidson, Stuart Robinson, and Paul Cassidy will all be vying for the chequered flag in the seven-lap race, ensuring an exciting and closely contested event.”
The six-lap Quine & Cubbon Printers Lightweight Classic and Ultra Lightweight Post Classic Race has attracted 22 entries, with Keith Shannon expected to be the man to beat on his 250cc Suzuki T20. However, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Andy Hunt, Barry Davidson, Geoff Bates, Richard Ford, and Brian Mateer.
In the Post Classic 125cc class, second-place finisher from last year, Simon Lehane, will be up against challenges from Dan Sayle, Owen Monaghan, and Mark Herbertson.
The Vintage MCC (IOM Section) 350cc Junior Race is always a highlight, with a full grid of familiar names from the opening 500cc Senior race, including Hornby, Oversby, Browne, McGahan, Elliott, Ford, Hutton, Loder, Davidson, Shannon, Bates, and Moore.
The Blackford Financial Services Consolation Race provides an opportunity for those who failed to qualify for the other races, with the first 500cc rider home receiving the Ian Bainbridge Trophy.
The UGGLY Post Classic Superbike Race will see last year’s winner, Joe Yeardsley, looking to defend his title against the likes of Rhys Hardisty, Andy Hornby, Paul Cassidy, Mike Browne, Marcus Simpson, Dennis Booth, Hefyn Owen, Marc Colvin, and Darren Creer.
Finally, the second Sidecar race on Sunday will bring the curtain down on the main race day, with last year’s second and third-place crews, Jack Gristwood and Alice Smith and Danny Quirk with new passenger Sharon Reeves, aiming to claim the top spot.
After the racing concludes, the focus will shift to the Castletown Market Square for the unique outdoor Prize Presentation, where the award winners will be celebrated, and the competitors will be applauded for their efforts in entertaining the fans and spectators during the 37th anniversary of the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races.
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