Since Ray Porter has had to withdraw with a damaged shoulder suffered in an incident at Ginger Hall, this now must open the door to local Man Tom Clucas who was second fastest in practice. However he will be pushed all the way by Phil Gilder who just pipped him in the final practice session.

Others to look out for are Dave Bell, Andy and Alan Jackson from Preston and another local rider Paul Corrin who has shown great promise recently.

Maria Costello is out in this race, hoping of course to make herself the fastest woman around the TT circuit by beating Sandra Barnetts time achieved in the TT. Maria is already the fastest woman in the Manx.