Saturday March 22, 2014 at 3:54pm
With less than two-weeks before entries close for the Blackford Financial Services Pre-TT Classic Road Races, 179 entries have been received for the six solo plus Sidecar races being held on Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday 24th & 26th May, with practice and qualifying on the Friday 23rd and Saturday prior to racing.
Whilst four-time winner in 2013, Chris Palmer has hung up his leathers - he will still be around the Paddock Area, having been appointed Riders Liaison Officer for the races at Billown - the quality of entry is still first class, with no less than 13 previous winners already confirmed.
Long time rivals Mike Hose and Roy Richardson, with 13 wins between them return, hoping the ill-luck of last year stays away and they can add to their impressive number of races wins so far. In total they are entered in nine races.
Father and son duo Paul and Jamie Coward will also be competing in a total of nine races between them - four of which they will be arch-rivals, challenging each other for the chequered flag - adding to their five and two victories gained so far!
Scot Ewan Hamilton will be endeavouring to bring his 250cc Suzuki home ahead of the remainder of the field in the quarter-litre race which has so far provided him with three race victories at Billown, plus a further win the the Post Classic in 2009.
Ever youthful Yorkshireman Ted Fenwick will once again be astride his faithful single cylinder 250 Ducati aiming to take his fifth race win in the opening Singles Race – this year riding with the number 86!
Winning Sidecar driver Eddy Wright with two wins to his name has a new passenger this year Dean Kilkenny in the chair, is amongst 18 crews entered so far, who will be also aiming to add the Camathias Cup, now in its second year to his trophy haul.
Sidecar crews from The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and France join the line-up of drivers and passengers from the UK and the Isle of Man.