CLASSIC SENIOR RACE PREVIEW

Part of the Manx Grand Prix since 1983, the Carole Nash Classic Senior Race has seen some great names adorn the winner’s trophy including Bob Heath, Bill Swallow, Ryan Farquhar, John McGuinness, Josh Brookes and Dean Harrison.

Recent years have seen Paton dominate with Farquhar, McGuinness, Brookes and Ian Lougher amongst the race winners but 2019 was when the manufacturer last tasted victory.

More recently, we have seen Yamaha, with Lee Johnston, and Norton, with Harrison, victorious since the break for Covid, further highlighting the variety of machinery capable of taking the win.

All three manufacturers will be challenging for the honours again this year with three-time winner and lap and race record holder and Paton-mounted McGuinness perhaps the favourite.

A 113mph+ lap emphasises the speed of the Paton but Johnston and Harrison both broke the 111mph barrier on their way to victory on their respective Davies Motorsport Yamaha and Ted Woof Craven Manx Norton mounts.

Harrison was a late replacement for Jamie Coward and the latter returns to the line up having finished in the top four on no less than six occasions, including four podiums, so he’ll be amongst the favourites as will Paul Jordan who replaces Johnston on the Davies Motorsport TX500 Yamaha.

Third in both 2022 and 2023, Mike Browne lines up once again on the Grantham Lodge Norton and will more than fancy his chances after breaking the 110mph barrier each time.

Adam McLean and Joe Yeardsley will be adding to the British challenge on their Flitwick Motorcycles-entered Royal Enfields.

Shaun Anderson returns on the Beugger Paton he took to fourth place twelve months ago with James Hillier another rider to favour the TX500 Yamaha alongside CSC Racing team-mate Michael Sweeney.

Honda are well represented by the likes of Conor Cummins (Steadplan) and Alan Oversby (Ruthless Racing) with Coward backed up at Norton by James Hind (North Lincs Componets), Michael Russell (Izzard Racing), Michael Evans (Goathland Garage) and 2000 race winner Glen English (Melbray London) who makes his return to the Mountain Course.

David Johnson (Ted Woof Matchless) adds further variety to the line up with Will Loder, Hefyn Owen and Alex Sinclair all expected to feature prominently on their respective British-manufactured machines.

See the Classic Senior Machines in action. Check out Duke Travel for packages from the UK and further afield, Horst Saiger for German Tours and the Isle of Man Steam Packet for race day day trips.