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The 1970s and early ’80s was an exciting time for motorcycle Grand Prix – probably the last time privateers had a genuine chance of mixing it with works bikes. GP Originals presented the sights, sounds and smells of this Post Classic racing era between 2017-2024. Entry lists were typically 25+ but never dipped below 16 paid entries.

During this time GP Originals was the go-to Series for post-classic racing motorcycles such as the ubiquitous Yamaha TZ250 and TZ350. This period also championed Rotax engines and a wealth of frame-makers including Maxton and Harris. These ‘Original’ racing motorcycles represent the first instances from which copies or reproductions could be made. Naturally, we always included the customer and replica machines which embraced the concept of our Series. The word ‘Original’ also means individual, free-spirited – we all like the sound of that.

Update: post-classic 350 and 250 in 2026

NG Road Racing has confirmed they will continue to support your post-classic, two-stroke machines and will run the ACU National Post Classic 250/350 Championship in 2026 with some minor revisions. If numbers remain at current levels, they will be running with the dedicated two-stroke only grid of 125s and 250s. Extensive experience demonstrates that no-one can presume a single confirmed rider until live entries are open at the start of the season – off-season talk is no indication of rider numbers for next year! As the long term home of UK two-stroke racing, NG Road Racing are perfectly positioned to adjust their ‘two-stroke only’ offer as entries fluctuate throughout the season. Of course, good circuits, competitive racing and a friendly paddock are guaranteed 🏁.

We cannot emphasise enough that all post-classic, two-stroke riders must pull together to ensure a competitive space to race these special machines. Some facts: So far in 2025 NG Road Racing provided a dedicated Post-Classic 350 / 250 grid at Snetterton, Cadwell, Brands Hatch and Donington Park – the only UK club to do so even without the strong numbers GP Originals became renowned for. All classes ebb and flow with entry numbers. Over the course of 18 years, NG have stuck by the ACU 250 championship from grids as low as four riders to maxxed out races in 2024/25.

Two-stroke, post-classic racing

2024 was challenging year for motorcycle racing across both short circuits and real road racing. After much consideration it was decided that GP Originals had reached its peak and was at the point where it would require considerable compromise to continue. We encourage everyone to read and digest our articles where we explain that our dedicated volunteers elected to close the series as soon as it fell below 20 entrants and a dedicated grid was not going to be assured. This decision cannot be confused with ‘failure’ – just like Thundersport GB we took an educated decision to close whilst the series was still at a point of esteem with clubs and riders.

Eligibility questions

GP Originals were the only dedicated post classic 250 and 350 two-stroke GP series available since we began in 2017. Love them or loathe them, our rules kept the racing competitive and the bikes ‘in period’. We kept a keen ear on what our riders were looking for as we had a clear message that our kind of people wanted tighter period style machines. All our riders were racing on the same type of machine and the same style of treaded tyres, no wets, no warmers.

Please visit our collection of research articles to find out more about period and replica parts. Our research has been carried out on a factual basis only and it was the rider’s responsibility to source date-evident support for any non-standard designs.