Sunday 30th . Checked the bike over from last nights practice all looks fine apart from a broken exhaust clamp. Though not a big issue I had to come up with a clever repair as I have the twin exhausts on my bike and one is mounted directly under the other on a twin clamp and this had broken at the top. Using half a new clamp I attached this to the old one and a bit of drilling and bolting and all was well and it was fit to go again. Fuel use is averaging out at about 6-7 litres a lap which should leave three in the tank when I come in for the fuel stop in the race. As a family we decide to get the electric train and go to Laxey then to top the top of the mountain, it was nice to have relaxing family day the weather was so clear we could see for miles from the top of Snaefell, bloody typical that is !  A great day but I must be ready to be back to business Monday .
Monday 1st . Originally this should have been my race day but because of the lost practice it was decided we would race Tuesday instead and give us extra practice today.My daughter comes over from the Ballaugh camp site a we decide we will watch the racing which is before my practice from the field just before the bikes pull into the pits , its local and there is quite a good view from there. There are two races today the 350 and the Formula 1 and 2 race. From friendships I formed via the web site forum in the build up to getting here I have my personal favourites and would like them to do well .
I think this was the day the organisers were having some communication issues and without them nothing could happen , but regardless of the reason our practice time was getting put further and further back which was not good and then you begin to think are you going to loose another one which really was the last thing we needed at this stage. We watch and enjoy the races, all I really have to do at this stage is keep an eye on the time so I can get my bike up to technical inspection when my group is called. The technical call comes and I get the bike up there and it passes without any problems and then its into the holding bay where the time warmers go on .
We get informed we will be going out down the pit lane which I am pleased about . This will give me the opportunity to work out my pit speed using the read out display at the other end of the pit lane . The pit lane speed limit is set at 60 kph and during the race exceeding this limit will cost you either a time penalty or at it's worse disqualification if you are in excess of 100 KPH so its well worth getting an idea of the revs in first gear so you have a safe speed to pass through at. This will be the first and last time I will be able to do this.
As the clock ticks down to the beginning of the practice you can see how the nerves effect different people both riders and assistants are all caught up as the tension mounts. On reflection the nerves I feel seem less intense than those I often experience when going club racing , I put this down to the fact its just me and the course I am not going of down Bray Hill with over 35 other riders like I would in my usual short circuit racing. Plus also the fact that this has been a long time in the planning and I intend to enjoy every moment. I take all my racing seriously but always try to enjoy the lighter side of life even when waiting in line to Shoot of down Bray Hill things like getting a photo with Masayuki Yamanaka a fellow newcomer who was about 18 inches shorter that me he has his helmet on in the shot but I know hes smiling , everybody waiting there has that same buzz inside, what ever method it uses to manifest itself I know its in there.
At last we get called up to the end of the pit lane and as I am released I realize the pit lane speed indicator is not working which is rather frustrating so I will have to think of another plan for race day. I drive out of the end of pit lane glance back just to check its clear and blast of towards the top of Bray.I do not feel nervous but it still takes full on mental commitment to attack the bottom of Bray on full throttle, As a sexagenarian and the oldest newcomer I should be taking things easy but I have not come this far to do that so its up Agos leap and of towards the sun light. I am happy with most of the course apart from two corners where I know I can go quicker but my self protection valve takes over, the valve is located in my bottle zone and is connected directly to my wrist and as I approach the two corners in question the valve activates and rolls the throttle of and no encouragement from me can persuade it other wise. But at a place like this I am glad I have my valve , it might be old but it works and brings me back safe again.
For the first time this evenings practice was not without a bike issue, an issue that riding a two stroke over the years might have helped me deal with. I was approaching the end of the mountain mile and as I rolled of the throttle the revs stayed high I immediately pulled the clutch which means I can then free wheel, I blipped the throttle at the same time and the revs came down,doing this makes cornering harder as you are not driving the bike but I got round anyway and carried on, not a massive issue but brings you to your senses if you needed it ! It happened again on the way down the mountain so I finished the lap with a little more caution than I might if this was not happening.