Bennetts, the UK's No.1 Bike Insurance Specialist, has agreed a major multi-year deal to be the title sponsor of the new Classic TT Races, which will be held annually on the Isle of Man in August.

The event will be known as 'The Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts' and the deal underlines the company's commitment to bringing the motorcycling community and industry together.

Bennetts has recently enhanced its classic bike insurance cover, which is available directly from Bennetts.co.uk or from the Bennetts specialist call centre. Until recently Bennetts quoted models dating back 50 years but now, for the first time, motorcycles from 1900 onwards can be quoted online. Around 10 per cent of UK bikes* on the road today are classics and many classic bike owners also have a modern bike as well, which can be covered under one Bennetts multi-bike policy.

The Classic TT takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend in August, 23rd - 26th with three races held over the famous 37 ¾ mile TT Mountain circuit, the VMCC Festival of Jurby, a stunning Parade Lap and additional activity including period events, exhibitions of exotic racing motorcycles, legendary riders autograph session and air displays all add up to an incredible celebration of motorcycling nostalgia.

In the 'Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race', TT 2013 victors John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop will meet once again racing alongside stars such as Bruce Anstey, Conor Cummins, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, James Hillier and Gary Johnson all of whom will be riding priceless machines from iconic marques such as Paton, Matchless, Norton, MV Agusta, BSA, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Vincent, AJS, Aermacchi and the established Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki while the world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing team will also be participating in their first and only competitive race meeting before being disbanded.

Away from the racing, a number of motorcycling legends and former World Champions are scheduled to appear in the Classic Racer Classic TT 'Lap of Honour' which will also feature in the two-hour ITV4 TV programme. Fifteen-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini will be involved in the Lap of Honour as well as recreating the 1967 TT in a special parade lap with John McGuinness.

Bennetts has a long association with the TT Races, which began in 2007 when the company was the title sponsor of the Centenary TT. In recent years Bennetts has been the official insurance sponsor of the TT Races, a partnership which has included title sponsorship of the Lightweight TT in 2012 when leveraging support BikerPetition.co.uk and in 2013 under the guise of BikeSocial.co.uk.

Commenting on the deal Hannah Squirrell, Marketing Director of Bennetts said: "Bennetts has over 80 years of heritage and with our recent classic bike insurance developments we are delighted to extend our association with the Isle of Man by becoming the title sponsor of the Classic TT. We believe that the event will have a great future and it has already generated significant interest and profile within the biking community."

Laurence Skelly, MHK, Political Member, Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development for Tourism and Motorsport commented: "To have attracted the support of a major UK brand in Bennetts is a real boost to the event in its first year. The company is already a valued partner of the TT Races and we look forward to working with Bennetts at the Classic TT as well."

He continued: "Early indications are that we will see an increase in visitors to the Isle of Man as a result of this event as well as significant media coverage and stand alone revenue from our commercial partners which is hugely important for the event's long term success."

-- * 1.3m road legal bikes, 133k classics (older than 1973 and tax exempt