The world's top road racers and a large field of ambitious privateers have taken competion around the Isle of Man TT mountain course into a new era today.
The first race in the inaugural Festival of Motorcycling, the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT set off from the Grandstand this lunchtime (24 August) in ideal conditions.
From early on the race was dominated by Ollie Linsdell carrying the number 1 plate on the Paton. He quickly built a lead which he extended throughout the four laps, eventually finishing more than two minutes ahead of second-placed William Dunlop on a Honda.
Riding a Norton, Jamie Coward was 24 seconds behind Dunlop to secure the third podium place, 15 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Ian Lougher aboard a Royal Enfield, in what's believed to be Lougher's final race on the TT course.
Linsdell's fastest lap was 111.6 mph.
Roy Richardson finished in fifth place from James Hillier in sixth.
Michael Dunlop finished seventh but 20 times TT winner John McGuinness retired early in the race while Conor Cummins was also forced to drop out early with mechanical problems.
The first privateer across the finishing line was Doug Snow on a Ducati, who started at number 31 and finished 10th in the race overall.
He snatched the accolade from Maria Costello, who was leading the privateer pack on the fourth lap before she retired at Sulby, and Bob Price behind her who also retired on the fourth lap.
Manx Radio TT's Chris Kinley congratulated a delighted Doug Snow as he arrived back:
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