ITV has confirmed that it will screen a two-hour special covering this year’s inaugural Classic TT meeting on the Isle of Man.
North One TV will produce the programme, which will be aired on ITV4 just days after the event concludes at 9.00pm on Wednesday, August 28.
The two-hour show will cover all of the Classic TT Races from the two race days including the blue riband 500cc race, the 350 and 250cc Race and the Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula Classic race.
The races will feature a stunning array of machines ridden by leading TT stars going head to head with Classic racing specialists
Matt Smith, one of ITV Sport’s leading presenters, will anchor the two-hour show and he will be joined by ITV4’s established TT commentators Steve Parrish, James Whitham and Steve Plater.
TT 2013 race winners John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop will be reprising their head to head in the 500cc Race.
Other TT stars that have signed up to take part in the meeting include Bruce Anstey, Conor Cummins, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, James Hillier and Gary Johnson.
They will battle experienced classic racing specialists including Olie Linsdell, Chris Palmer, Chris Swallow, Alan Oversby and Roy Richardson.
The riders will be appearing on priceless machines from iconic marques such as Paton, Matchless, Norton, MV Agusta, BSA, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Vincent, AJS, Aermacchi.
Also taking part will be established Japanese manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki, while the world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing team will also be participating in their first and only competitive race meeting before being disbanded.
Away from the racing, a number of motorcycling legends and former World Champions are scheduled to appear in the Classic Racer Classic TT ‘Lap of Honour’ which will also feature in the TV programme.
Topping the bill will be fifteen-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini, who will be also be appearing in a special parade lap with John McGuinness recreating the 1967 TT Races, while world champions Freddie Spencer, Carlos Lavardo, Steve Baker and Kork Ballington, who will all be on the Island during the event, will also feature in the show.
Neil Duncanson, Chief Executive, North One TV, commented: “We’ll be looking to really get under the skin of the event and capture the thrilling sights, sounds and action.
“We won’t just be looking at the racing but will be producing a number of features that cover all aspects of the festival.
“There’s a huge amount of content packed into a short period and with so many great racing names past and present, the challenge will be to fit everything into a two hour show.”
Laurence Skelly, Political Member, Isle of Man Tourism, commented: “This is a great platform to profile both the inaugural Classic TT and the Isle of Man worldwide.
“It will also help the Government team and the Manx Motorcycle Club achieve our long term commercial revenue objectives for the event and to generate additional visitors to the Isle of Man.”
The ITV4/North One TV programme will also be distributed globally to many of the international broadcasters already showing the award winning TT highlights packages, including Discovery Velocity in the USA and Network 10 in Australia.
With the demise of other legendary events and circuits, the TT Races stand as the last of the great motor-sporting tests in the world today.
Remaining largely untouched since 1911, the 37¾ miles of public roads have played host to some of the greatest motorcycle races and riders of all time.
The Classic TT event celebrates the history and heritage of the TT and motorcycle racing, offering four action-packed days of motorcycling nostalgia.
Including the world’s most prestigious classic motorcycle races, the Classic TT will boast the best road racers on the planet riding the most exotic and iconic motorcycles.
Taking place over the August Bank Holiday Monday (August 23-26), the event will also provide the centrepiece of the new Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, alongside the Manx Grand Prix.
Classic TT 2013 – CLICK HERE for more information
