John Surtees to be honoured and celebrated at 2020 Classic TT

THE remarkable career of John Surtees CBE, the only man to ever win two and four-wheel World Championships, will be celebrated at the 2020 Classic TT.

In honour of this feat and Surtees’ TT exploits, a lap featuring some of the bikes that are linked with his name will be ridden by well-known TT riders and guests connected to John’s motorcycle racing.

Surtees last visit to the Isle of Man TT as a competitor saw him win his sixth TT race, claiming the Senior TT title. During his career won seven Motorcycle World Championships including consecutive 350 and 500cc doubles in 1958, 1959 and 1960.

Taking to the fabled mountain course will be the 1960 MV Agusta that John rode to victory in the World Championship and Senior TT will take centre stage for the celebration lap and feature in a one-off display in the Classic TT Paddock along with a number of other iconic machines from the Surtees family collection.

Other bikes taking part in the parade will be the 1949 Vincent Grey Flash that John won his first race on. A bike which he considered to be the most important of his life. Alongside this will be a Vincent Black Lightning, a Norton 500cc Experimental Prototype, a 1959 Manx Norton and a 1953 Works Norton.

Riders confirmed to appear in the parade lap on Saturday 29th August include 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness, Mick Grant who has ridden a number of John’s bikes over the years, Paul Hollywood, who became a firm friend of John’s after filming the BBC Legends documentary, Steve Parrish, Steve Plater, and Ian Skinner, John’s team mechanic for over 35 years.

For more information on the event head to: www.iomttraces.com/classic