Two four-lap races open the Manx Grand Prix programme on the Snaefell Mountain Courser today. They are the two-class Newcomers’ Race at 10.15am, followed by the Senior Classic event at 1.15pm.

There are 40 starters for the Newcomers, which will run two classes concurrently. In Class A, for machines of 550cc to 750cc, fastest in practice was Ryan Kneen on a 600cc Suzuki at 114.542mph. Second fastest was Kevin Fitzpatrick on his 750cc Suzuki, with James Redpath third at 111.579mph and a similar 750cc Suzuki.

In Class C, for machines of 125cc to 400cc, the best practice time was by Daniel Kneen on a 400cc Honda at 103.032mph followed by the 400cc Honda machine of Michael Sweeney at 102.851mph, with Ian Whitlow on a Suzuki SV 650cc at 101.032mph in third place.

The Senior Classic event caters for 500cc machines and is one of Britain’s premier events of its type. An entry of 72 including 4 newcomers contains many specialist classic riders. Fastest in practice was Ryan Farquhar on a Paton at 109.318mph, 16 seconds inside the lap record standing to Bob Heath since 1997. Alan Oversby was second quickest on a Norton at 106.840mph, with Steve
Linsdell on another of the Italian Paton's third, at 105.154mph.

At the finish of racing, there will be a practice session for those riding in subsequent races. That will be followed by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s closed roads parade from Ballacraine to Ramsey. The roads will re-open no later than six o’clock.

Due to inclement weather, the racing has been delayed.

It is proposed that the roads will close at 15:15 and racing will commence at 16:00 hrs.

It is proposed that there wil be two races today, Newcomers and Senior Classsic.

Roads MUST re-open by 19:00 hrs.