tuesday night practise

[steve]

An hour prior to roads closing it looked pretty dismal that Tuesday evening’s second timed practice session would go ahead, with drizzle falling, overcast skies and possible low cloud over the Mountain section of the world famous TT Course.


With twenty-five minutes remaining before the road closure order comes into operation, it has stopped raining for the moment, but still misty, although it is apparently lifting.


Only one solo machine has been through scrutineering. It would also appear that a number of riders have already made the decision to have a night off due to the prevailing conditions.


With the roads closed, a TM has set off for a lap of inspection to decide this evenings practice.


25-minutes after the road closure has been in farce, only a handful of solos have been through the Technical Check-In.

Gary Johnson has decided not to go this evening.


Andy Laidlow was the first Sidecar outfit to appear in Pit Lane.


The solos were scheduled for the off at 7.00pm, with the Sidecars leaving Pit Lane at 7.45pm.


One of the many non-participants tonight was John McGuinness.


Promptly at 7.00pm Bud Jackson got the session underway, with a further five riders leaving behind him, including the last of the newcomer’s behind John Barton.


Bud Jackson took 26m 56.06s to complete his lap a speed of 87.290mph.


Bud was at the Bungalow when the first of the Sidecars, Roy Hanks and Dave Wells set off, followed by world champions Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance.


All six of the solo competitors arrived back safely after their single circuit.


Pit Lane closed before outfit 5 could get out and the outfit was wheeled back to the paddock.


Dave Madsen-Mygdal reached 127.30mph at the speed trap on Sulby Straight, whilst Greg Lambert hit 134.50mph.


Roy Hanks was first to complete a lap and pulled having done the lap at 88.748mph despite picking up a puncture during the lap.


Tim Reeves went through for a second lap; his first was at 89.600mph.

Newcomer Reeves completed the second lap, his first flying lap with a speed at 94.006mph.

Also in the 90+ speed were Keith Walter and Alun Thomas, who managed a flying lap at 93.359mph.


Roy Hanks and Dave Wells completed a second lap, after changing the punctured wheel. Their lap speed was 93.252mph.


The chequered flag is being shown to the remaining crews and they pass the finish line, thus bringing this evenings ‘dismal’ practices session to a close.


The next session is scheduled for Wednesday evening, but the forecast is far from good.