2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races to begin tonight

Three-day meeting at Billown to kickstart Manx road racing season

The 2026 Manx road racing season fires into life today in the south of the Island with the sounds and smells of yesteryear.

The opening session of this year's Pre-TT Classic Road Races on the Billown Course is due to take place tonight with roads around the course currently due to close at 6pm.

Event organisers, the Southern 100 Club, say demand to take part in the meeting - which runs from today until Sunday (22-24 May) - has risen again this year, following an upward trend in recent times.

Callum Staley from the club agrees that the nostalgia provided by the two and three-wheeled machines at the races remains a big draw to some motorsport fans:

After roads around the Billown Course close at 6pm tonight, first out are due to be the newcomers on a familiarisation lap at around 6.10pm.

From 6.25pm onwards, timed practice will then take place for all solo classes up until shortly before 9pm before the Sidecar Classic outfits are due to round out the day with qualifying from 9.08pm.

Roads around the course will reopen no later than 9.40pm.

All timings remain subject to change depending on prevailing conditions and circumstances.

You can view the current 2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races schedule below:

2026 Pre-TT Classic Road Races schedule

Friday, 22 May (Evening Qualifying)

6pm - Roads Close
6.10pm to 6.25pm - All newcomers familiarisation of the course
6.26pm to 6.38pm - Race 1 (Singles)
6.48pm to 7pm - Race 2 (1100cc Classic)
7.18pm to 7.30pm - Race 3 (Junior Superbikes)
7.40pm to 7.52pm - Race 5 (Senior Classic)
8.02pm to 8.14pm - Race 6 (Lightweight Classic & 125cc Post Classic & 400cc)
8.24pm to 8.36pm - Race 7 (Junior Classic)
8.46pm to 8.58pm - Race 9 (Senior Superbikes)
9.08pm to 9.20pm - Race 4 & 10 (Sidecar Classic)
9.30pm - Roads Open (at the latest)

Saturday, 23 May (Afternoon Qualifying)

12.30pm - Roads Close
12.45pm to 12.57pm - Race 1 (Singles)
1.07pm to 1.19pm - Race 2 (1100cc Classic)
1.39pm to 1.51pm - Race (Junior Superbikes)
2.01pm to 2.13pm - Race 5 (Senior Classic)
2.23pm to 2.35pm - Race 6 (Lightweight Classic & 125cc Post Classic & 400cc)
2.45pm to 2.57pm - Race 7 (Junior Classic)
3.07pm to 3.19pm - Race 9 (Senior Superbikes)
3.26pm to 3.43pm - Race 4 & 10 (Sidecar Classic)
3.53pm to 4.12pm - Race 8 (400cc Post Classic)
4.30pm - Roads Open (at the latest)

Saturday, 23 May (Evening Racing)

6pm - Roads Close
Race 1 - MS-PR Singles (6 Laps)
Race 2 - Foraging Vintners 1100cc Classic (7 Laps)
Race 3 - Geoff Duke Junior Superbikes (7 Laps)
Race 4 - MC Locksmiths Sidecar Race (4 Laps)
9.30pm - Roads Open (at the latest)

Sunday, 24 May (Afternoon Racing)

1pm - Roads Close
Race 5 - Greystones LLC Senior Classic (7 Laps)
Race 6 - Words & Spaces 250cc Classic & 125cc Post Classic (6 Laps)
Race 7 - Vintage MCC (IOM Section) 350 Classic (7 Laps)
Race 8 - Fred Peck 400cc Post Classic (6 Laps)
Race 9 - UGGLY Post Classic Superbikes (7 Laps)
Race 10 - Cheeseden Rentals Sidecar Race 2 (4 Laps)
6pm - Roads Open (at the latest)