Yes a good point Ian, if practice is reduced then people have less experience on the course. Also as Malcolm says if there is problems with the bike then qualifying becomes a headache.
I wonder if they can crib a bit more time in the evening practices.
Before I say this please be assured that I love sidecars. One of my closest colaborators was the Australian sidecar champion. But why do the 125s for instance get only one race and the chairs get two? Perhaps they could forego those parades for a little extra practice during race week. I am sure some of the people who cannot get over for the practice week wouldn't mind seeing one or two practice sessions during race week.
These are just idle ideas I am floating. The more we throw into the ring the better.
If the good burgers of the IOM who hate the bikes can sleep in a bit longer now then perhaps they mightn't mind if the race week was a little more intensive.