A late switch to the advertised schedule saw the Senior and Junior Machines go out first in the final full qualifying session for the 2017 Manx Grand Prix.

Michael Evans on the Martin Bullock Motorsport Suzuki that he will race in Friday’s Senior Manx Grand Prix, was first to Glen Helen on the opening sector and dominated the session with an opening lap of 120.58 which he followed up with the fastest lap of the week (121.22).

However, Barry Lee Evans – also riding his Senior machine – the PRF Racing Suzuki clocked 119.30 on his second lap to remind the Manx rider that he will face a strong challenge for the race win.

The top five was completed by three riders out on their linked Junior machines with Dean Osborne’s 119.18 the fastest Junior time on the night, less than four seconds ahead of Tom Robinson (118.79) with Brendan Fargher on the Paul Smyth Racing Yamaha completing the top five Senior and top three Junior board with 118.04.

In the Newcomers A qualifying session Darryl Tweed again established himself as the man to beat in Monday’s race with his fastest time to date – 115.32 – on t he M&D Racing Triumph with Stephen Parsons on the people’s bike Kawasaki 114.48 and Brad Vicars (112.91) riding a Merlin Sidecars Honda finishing second and third respectively.

The session ended at around 7pm and riders were setting off from the Grandstand for the Newcomers B and Lightweight session at 7.05.  However an incident at Brandywell towards the end of the MGP Junior qualifying session resulted in an all course red flag with the rider - Mark Foster - transferred by airmed to Nobles Hospital with a suspected broken leg. Gaz Evans, who was involved in the same incident, was unhurt while Noel Carroll was reported to be uninjured after sliding off at Sulby Bridge.

Darryl Tweed leading Stephen Casey on the run to Douglas Road Corner, Kirk Michael.
Photo: Dave Kneen / Pacemaker Press Intl.