New Trophy for Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Races

A new trophy has been donated to Southern 100 Racing for the Blackford Financial Services Pre-TT Classic Races.

For 2023 the Pat Sproston Trophy will be presented to the ‘Best Newcomer in the 125cc Post Classic Race’.

Bryon Franklin, one of Pat’s mates explains the reason behind naming the trophy:

‘Pat and a number of mates along with myself started what became known at ‘The 2 O’clock Club. We met at a friends house at 2.00pm and worked on and restored classic motorcycles.

‘Pat loved classic motorcycles, especially Italian and small two-stroke machines, he was also a big fan of Greeves racing bikes and had owned a few over the years. Pat would help anybody who needed it and had a great personality.

‘He loved road racing and was often over in the Isle of Man, where he had some good friends and we thought it would be nice for his name to be remembered in the sport he loved and a racing class he followed closely.’

Byron concluded: I’m not sure if he would have approved of this, as he was a very humble person, but we think it is a fitting way to remember Pat Sproston.’

Accepting the ‘Pat Sproston Trophy’ Race Secretary, George Peach said: ‘The 125cc Post Classic Race is now in its second year of being included in the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races. It is hoped that the class will grow in popularity and it will be a pleasure to be able to present the new and unique Award to the Best Newcomer at our Open Air Presentation in Castletown Square on the Sunday evening after the races have been completed.

‘As Race Promoters, Southern 100 Racing is indebted to Byron and his mates for donating the trophy to the club.’