A bright early morning turned out to be a damp / wet misty afternoon
on the Isle of Man.
The practices for the Pre TT Classic started on time but the weather
deteriorated throughout the afternoon. The rain had gone from mizzle
to drizzle to a full on shower for the start of the sidecar race.
Jamie Coward once again dominated the solo sessions along with Mike
Hose and newcomer Dean Stimpson. Dean was second fastest in the Post
Classic Junior practice on his 250cc Yamaha and third fastest in the
850cc class on his 500cc Manx Norton.
The only race of the day was the Vintage Motorcycle Club Sidecar
Classic Race. Ten hardy crews sat on the grid in the rain and eight
of them finished the four lap race. The winner was Rod Bellas with
Danny Quirk in the chair, their 1200cc BLR Imp finished 15.5 second
in front of Tony Thirkle and Trevor Johnsons 1070cc B.M.W. M.R.E
with Keith Walters and Alun Thomas completing the podium on their
1000cc B.L.R. Honda. The sidecar guys always seem to get the rough
end of the stick but their enthusiasm always shines through.
The evergreen Arthur Browning turning into Ballabeg
Jamie Coward, 350
Craven Honda, on the approach to Ballabeg
Arthur Browning hitching a ride from the course car
Rod Bellas taking the lead from Tony Thirkle at Ballabeg in the
Sidecar Race
Mike Hammonds
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