I agree with Jo, Phil's bike did seize - classic 2-stroke problem shutting off at the end of a long straight at sea level. And I do remember the traffic lights have only been there for the last 5-10 years.

Aside from that it's a very fast bend with a blind entry. It doesn't take much to get it wrong and of course there are no second chances. To put it in perspective it was an easy bend on my old classic but in the past doing it first on a TZ350 and later on a CBR600 you are approaching its limits. On a superbike it would be critical to gauge the speed and entry spot on and the TT boys won't want to leave much margin because there is another long straight after it demanding a high exit speed.

As for the lights now, I suppose it is possible there is some residual oil/diesel there, but I'd only expect that to be a problem if it was damp.