2013 Classic TT Races at Isle of Man
The lineup continues to grow for the debut of the Classic TT as the Isle of Man Mountain Course this August.
The latest was the American Freddie Spencier. The three-time MotoGP Champion, known as “Fast Freddie,” will compete in the Classic TT aboard his 1987 500cc, three-cylinder Rothmans Honda, which is parading in Europe at the Festival of Jurby (August 25) and in the Classic Racer Magazine Lap of Honor (August 26).
Spencier will also be a guest in the official VIP Hospitality Club and will host a table at the Classic TT Legends Dinner on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 25.
Spencer first came to prominence in 1978, winning the 250cc US National Road Racing Championship and gained international recognition at the 1980 U.S. versus Britain Trans-Atlantic Match races when he won two legs, defeating World Champions Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene in the process.
He was promoted to Honda’s Grand Prix team in 1982 and in 1983 he won his first 500cc World Championship at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person to win the title, a distinction previously held by Mike Hailwood.
The 1983 season is remembered as one of the most dramatic title chases in the history of Grand Prix racing; Honda’s Spencer and Yamaha’s Kenny Roberts fighting for the points lead throughout the championship with each of them earning six victories. The season culminated at the penultimate round in Sweden when Roberts ran off the track on the last lap leaving Spencer to sprint to the finish line and victory. Roberts won the last race but Spencer finished second, securing his first world title by two points.
Teething problems with Honda’s radically new V4 NSR500 coupled with injuries from crashes hindered Spencer’s title defense in 1984 but 1985 proved to be an historic year for him. He won both the 250cc and 500cc Grand Prix World Championships, the last rider to achieve such a feat. His career was cut short by wrist injuries and he retired from Grand Prix racing at the beginning of 1988.
Commenting on his appearance at this year’s Classic TT he said: “The Isle of Man TT is one of the great event’s in motorsport and to get the chance to be involved in the inaugural Classic TT is a real honour. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the place where so many great names have competed and to meeting the fans.”
Other legendary names from the past already confirmed to attend the Classic TT include Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read, Mick Grant, Phillip McCallen, Kork Ballington and Steve Baker.
To book tickets for the Classic TT Legends Dinner, Platinum or VIP Hospitality places or Grandstand tickets for the Classic TT Races go to iomtt.com or contact Duke Marketing on +44 (0) 1624 640 000.
