The Classic and Post Classic Races

In 1983 the Manx Motor Cycle Club recognised the emergence of Classic racing and the history of such machines on the Isle of Man TT course. The first Manx Grand Prix Classic races were held that year, the machines being of a type raced during the late 1960s. The cut off dates were, and have remained, 31st December 1967 for two strokes and 31st December 1972 for four strokes.

In 2008 the Manx Motor Cycle Club recognised the emergence of Post Classic racing These machines manufactured in the 1980’s have also had a history of being raced on the Isle of Man TT course. The 2009 Post Classic Race was introduced with regulations designed to test machine availability. They stated “it has been agreed to keep these regulations as flexible as possible, but they may be subject to change in 2010”.

Whilst being encouraged by the interest in the 2009 Post Classic Race the number of four stroke entries were fewer than expected. The reasons were perceived to be certain restrictions, and the cut off date of 1981.

Following the 2009 Manx Grand Prix the Manx Motor Cycle Club announced the following changes:

• A new class “the Formula Classic” to allow 750cc pre 1973 Classic four stroke machines to compete alongside the 500cc “Senior Classic” machines
• Standardising and moving the cut off dates for Post Classic machines to 1985. The exception is that for certain 250cc machines, where the cut off date remains as 1991.

The detailed reasons for these changes are:

• To create more interest in the Senior Classic races, which in recent has seen a decline in entries
• To create a greater separation between the age of the machines in the Classic and Post Classic races
• To adopt a standard year for the Post Classic races. The year 1985 is seen to be:
  • the year in which a new era of 750cc Superbikes became available
  • a year in which older 1000c machines were still competitive
  • the year before a new era of 1000cc Superbikes became available
  • a year remote from the Classic period
  • a year from which many affordable machines are still available

• To give certain riders the opportunity to compete on the same 750cc machine in the Formula Classic and Post Classic races

The Post Classic classes have been announced as:

• Senior Post Classic: for 601 to 1050cc four stroke machines and 351 to 750cc two stroke machines
• Junior Post Classic: four stroke machines up to 600cc and two stroke machines up to 350cc

Further details are contained within the attached Appendix.

Within Junior Post Classic, certain 250cc two stroke machines manufactured up to 1991 are permitted in recognition of their availability. However the Manx Motor Cycle Club recognises the comparative lack of competitiveness of the 350cc machines from the early 1980s, and will therefore make a special award for the first 350cc finisher in Junior Post Classic.

The Manx Motor Cycle Club recognises the importance of the Classic and Post Classic races to the status of the event and the contribution that they make to the economy of the Isle of Man. The views of the Department of Tourism and Leisure are reflected within this document.

Appendix

Machine Eligibility: Post Classic Races

The intention of the Post Classic races is to preserve a class and type of machines raced during the mid 1980s, and which are still available and affordable in 2010. This is the “spirit of the class” and any questions concerning machine eligibility will be considered by reference to this ideal.

(i) Senior
601 - 1050cc 4 stroke and 351 - 750cc 2 stroke, cut off date 31st December 1985.
(ii) Junior
Up to 600cc 4 stroke, cut off date 31st December 1985.
126-250cc Grand Prix Factory Bikes Steel frame or period aluminium frame, any brakes, any wheels, cut off date 31st December 1984.
126-250cc. Standard frames, Standard fairing, any ignition, no airboxes. Any brakes. Cut off dates 1st January 1985 - 31st December 1991

The general eligibility is that machines are to be manufactured before 31st December 1985, or manufactured in subsequent years without substantial alteration.

Machines may also incorporate components of a type manufactured before 31st December 1985, or manufactured after that date without substantial alteration.

In particular, and with reference to each machine:

• Wheels must be of a size available as at 31st December 1985
• Suspension systems: must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985 (subject to the replacement of shock absorbers)
• Forks: must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985
• Engines: must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985 (with those manufactured after 31st December 1984 restricted to original capacity)
• Carburettors: must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985
• Frames and swinging arms: must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985

except for two strokes within the Junior Post Classic where:

• There is no restriction on either brakes or wheels
  250cc Grand Prix factory machines manufactured before 31st December 1985 are restricted to steel or period aluminium frames, whilst 250cc machines manufactured before December 1991 are restricted to standard frames, and are not permitted to use airboxes.

There are no restrictions regarding exhaust or braking systems.

Examples of eligible Senior Post Classic machines:

• Suzuki GSXR750 F/G/H models manufactured from 1985 to 1987
• Honda VF750F: manufactured up to 1985
• Kawasaki GPZ900:ZX900A1 and ZX900A2 models manufactured 1984 and 1985
• Yamaha FZ750 models N and S: manufactured 1985 and 1986

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list and will be expanded or amended based on experience and the comments of riders.

The onus for determining machine eligibility initially falls upon the rider. The rider will be asked to consider the eligibility of the machine generally and of the major components listed above. The entry form will contain a series of questions asking the rider to confirm each of these. If the rider makes a false declaration his entry may be refused, or he may be excluded from the results of the race.

If uncertain, the rider may ask the Manx Motorcycle Club for a ruling. As stated above, a determination may be referenced to the “spirit of the class”. This may result in the acceptance or refusal of an entry, notwithstanding the generality of the above.