Historic Junior Classic TT: Paul Jordan wins, John McGuinness finishes third

Almost every big name in the history of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy had entered the Historic Junior Classic TT. Alongside TT record winner Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness, who ranks third in the all-time TT standings, another TT winner, Dean Harrison, had set his sights on winning the two-lap race.

Whilst Dunlop was unable to start the race at all, Harrison – who had set the fastest time in practice – took the lead. Up to the first split time at Glen Helen, he lived up to his role as favourite, leading by almost four seconds ahead of Mike Browne, Michael Evans, Jamie Coward, Paul Jordan and Stefano Bonetti. McGuinness followed in eighth place, some way behind.

At Ballaugh Bridge, Browne had taken the lead from Harrison, who was forced to retire shortly afterwards. By this point, the Italian Bonetti had already dropped out whilst in a promising position. Evans, who was in second place at the time, also had to abandon his hopes of a podium finish at Creg ny baa.

After the first lap, Browne had not only beaten Lee Johnston’s lap record, but was also clearly in the lead. Jordan had to fend off attacks from Coward. In fourth place was local hero Joe Yeardsley, ahead of Dominic Herbertson and McGuinness. Ben Birchall, the 14-time TT sidecar winner, who was completing his first lap of the Snaefell Mountain Course on two wheels, was in 15th place.

In the second lap, the order was turned on its head. Browne pulled out with a flat tyre, whilst Coward and Yeardsley were forced to retire due to technical problems. This cleared the way for Jordan, who was able to repeat his success from the previous year. McGuinness was unable to fend off Herbertson’s attack and had to concede second place to him.

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Results: Historic Junior Classic TT, Isle of Man, 22 August 2006

1. Paul Jordan (GB), Honda, 2 laps in 43:31.396 mins. 2. Dominic Herbertson (GB), Honda, 1 min 37.307 sec behind. 3. John McGuinness (GB), Honda, +2 mins 00.130 sec. 4. Dan Sayle (GB), Honda. 5. Will Loder (GB), Greeves. 6. James Chawke (IRL), Honda.