Don, as far as I understand it, the organisers of the TT, then the ACU, were offered the idea of running a Classic race at the TT in the early 1980's. They declined this offer, which was then taken up by the MGP organisers, the MMCC, and , when the Classic races at the MGP proved a success, the TT organisers became very jealous, and "suggested" to the Southern 100 club the idea of the Pre TT Classic races in 1988 (I read that somewhere, but, at the moment cant remember exactly where, but Im sure I'll find it if I look hard enough). So basically its a case of "They were offered it, they turned it down, somebody else took it up, it became a success, tough!" They probably wouldnt want to admit their cock-up in the first place, eh?