1.
SV PAN Riders staring in pairs for Isle of Man TT races Schweppes Classic Event. Nos. 9 and 10 (Alex George, Johnson Yamaha and Mick Grant, Kawasaki), 11 and 12 (George Fogarty, Yamaha and Mike Hailwood, Yamaha) and 15 and 16 (Chas Mortimer, Yamaha and Phil Read, Honda) No. 15 fails to start (3 shots)
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2.
GV Crowd
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3.
GV PAN No. 10, Grant, round corner followed by No. 16, Read (2 shots)
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4.
GV Pack of riders round bend
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5.
GV PAN Nos. 10, Grant, 6, John Williams on a Suzuki, 5, Bill Smith on a Maxton Yamaha with several others around track (4 shots)
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6.
GV Crowd
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7.
GV PAN No. 10, Grant leading, followed by No. 6, Williams, No.9 George, No. 16 Mortimer, No. 23 Bill Simpson on a Yamaha, No 17 John Woodley on a Yamaha (6 shots)
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8.
SV Crowd
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9.
SV PAN No. 10, Grant followed by No. 80, Jim Scaysbrook on a Ducati around slow bend with No. 16 Mortimer following (3 shots)
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10.
No. 10, Grant passes chequered flag to win race
1.36



Initials BB/1835


SPORT: MOTOR CYCLE RACING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Motor cycle racing -- and this year's Isle of Man TT races have been marred by a crop of fatal accidents on what is acknowledged as the most dangerous circuit in the world. The Schweppes Classic races, with the 750 cc "Super bikes" competing for prize money of GBP6,000 sterling (10,980 U.S. dollars), was no exception. New Zealander Mike Adler crashed on the final circuit and was rushed to an intensive care unit with head injuries.

SYNOPSIS: The start of the Classic saw some of the most famous names in motor cycle racing lined up on the grid to take off in pairs. Among them was lap record holder Mick Grant -- on his Kawasaki bike number 10. George Fogarty was on Yamaha number 11 and the much-fancied veteran Mike Hailwood also started on a Yamaha, number 12.

But it was Grant's race all the way, with John Williams, number 6 ??? Suzuki tailing him in second place. The Isle of Man circuit covers 37.73 miles (about 60 kilometres) of public roads through mountainous terrain, with many treacherous bends. Thousands of spectators pour onto the island for the TT races -- some commentators say more in anticipation of grisly accidents than for love of the sport.

Grant had a poor TT this year until the Classic, but as when he won the same race last year, in this event he was invincible. He also set a new lap record, breaking his own best time with an average speed of 114.33 miles per hour (183.95 kilometres per hour).

Grant lapping number 80, Jim Scaysbrook on a Ducati during the final stages of the race, with number 16, Chas Mortimer on a Yamaha following. As Grant passed the chequered flag the winner, two other riders made it a hat-trick for Britain -- John Williams was second and Alex George third on a Yamaha.