The Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts returns for 2020 with a new on-track schedule seamlessly integrated into four uninterrupted days of high-quality festival entertainment.
The retro inspired entertainment gets underway on Friday 28 August when the new Fan Park, hosted by presenter and vlogger Chris Pritchard, opens its doors for the first of four days of free entertainment including; rider appearances and chat shows with special guests, prize presentations, a big screen outdoor cinema and displays featuring some of the world’s most iconic motorcycles, as well as street food and a refreshing trip to The Trackside Bar.
With Friday’s final qualifying session moving into an extended afternoon slot, fans will have the chance to enjoy the festival atmosphere in the paddock ahead of the two race days – Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August – that will see a host of star name TT riders including John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Conor Cummins and Michael Rutter riding full throttle on some of the most exotic Classic racing machines on the planet.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of John Surtees’s last Isle of Man TT Race win – the 1960 Senior TT - and Classic TT 2020 will include a parade lap tribute to John featuring friends and colleagues riding some of the most iconic machines from the collection of the only two and four-wheeled Motorsport World Champion.
The two race days are bisected by Sunday’s Festival in a Day - a heady mix of fabulous biking nostalgia, sporting history, music, film and entertainment, as well as a big screen live stream feed of the British MotoGP.
Also on the bill over the course of the weekend will be retro inspired music courtesy of specialist DJ’s The Smoking Guns, as well as a host of critically acclaimed live bands including New Orleans inspired Delta Trio serving up a rich platter of bouncing blues and jiving jazz, Woodstock influenced rockers Jawbone, as well as top live outfit Wille & The Bandits, who are flying in to bring their Zeppelin-esque riffs and Floydian soundscapes to the TT Fan Park.
This year’s Classic TT programme also features two auctions run by leading auction house, Charterhouse Auctioneers. Friday’s auction will feature memorabilia items while Sunday’s will offer a range of iconic, collectable motorcycles. The lots will be available to view in the paddock from Thursday 27 August and places for either auction can be reserved via
iomttraces.com
The TT Mercury Club will be throwing open its doors to a heady mix of live music over the weekend, including Sun Records: The Concert – as 1950’s Memphis is brought to life on stage in a tribute that takes you back to the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll – and a homecoming return for Davy Knowles, one of the world’s leading blues artists.
The Mercury Club also plays host to the latest ‘Live & Uncut’ Chat Show, featuring Steve Plater with Michael Dunlop for an evening that promises to be funny, fascinating, moving and definitely unscripted.
Race fans can also experience VIP treatment with Race Day Hospitality or, for the ultimate Classic TT experience, upgrade to the Legends Hospitality and spend the day in the company of a TT superstar. Meanwhile, the unique RST Heroes Dinner offers an evening of fine dining with an array of TT legends and interviews with world-famous motorcycling stars. Tickets for all Official Experiences as well as Grandstand Tickets are now available from
iomttraces.com