Rain had been reported earlier in the evening, but the cautionary lack of adhesion flags didn’t seem to dampen spirits or lap speeds. Kendal’s Stephen Parson was quickly on the pace and after opening up with a lap of 115mph posted the fastest lap of the night with 118.936 to top the combined Senior and Junior qualifying board.  The peoples bike rider will be looking for his first win after last year’s double podium finishes in the Senior and Junior MGP.

Manx rider Nathan Harrison, who was a newcomer in 2018, finished second fastest on the night with 117.87.  Harrison, who finished 13th in last year’s Senior MGP, won the coveted Lay Hill Rosebowl for the best performance by a local rider in 2018

James Hind who finished second in last year’s Newcomers B Race and 7th in the Lightweight Race, showed good early form in the Junior class, finishing third fastest with 116.91 while Brad Vicars (116.84) and Andrew Fisher (116.81) rounded out the top five.

The Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight riders were undoubtedly itching to get out for their opening qualifying session shortly after ten past seven. However, shortly after the second session began, the session was red flagged following an incident at the Black Hut in the earlier Classic TT / MGP Senior/ Junior session which was coming to a close.

The rider concerned was taken by airmed to Nobles Hospital with a reported leg injury and riders were brought back to the Grandstand in course direction under the direction of Travelling Marshals.

With the lost time and light fading at the Grandstand, the second session for Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight riders and the scheduled Newcomers session was cancelled.

Roads are due to close tomorrow at 18.00 with the Senior and Junior Manx Grand Prix  session due out at 18.20 and the Lightweight and Ultralight session at 19.15