There will be a speed-controlled laps for newcomers at 5.20.

At 5.35, the Junior/Senior MGP machines along with the Lightweight and Superbike Classic TT riders and bikes will take to the Mountain Course for a one-hour timed session.

They will be followed by the Junior/Se nior Classic TT and Lightweight Manx at 6.35.

Newcomers will return to the course at 7.35 for another short untimed session.

Practice/qualifying will continue throughout next week at the more traditional time of 6.20 (roads close 6pm), through till Friday, August 25. Roads will re-open no later than 9pm on any of the evenings.

The Bennetts Classic TT will again be centred around the Bank Holiday weekend, with roads closing at 11am next Saturday (Aug 26) for the four-lap Senior at 11.30.

This will be followed by an MGP practice and Junior/Superbike Classic TT qualifying.

There will be a parade lap at 2.45 and the Lightweight Classic TT at 4.15; rounded off by another two-lap MGP practice at 6.10.

After the Vintage MCC Jurby Day on Sunday, Aug 27, the Festival will continue with the Junior Classic TT at 10.15am on Bank Holiday Monday and the Superbike Classic TT at 2pm, again inter-twined with MGP practice sessions and a Lap of Honour.

That day will conclude with the Newcomers’ MGP at approximately 5pm.

The Manx Grand Prix will continue on Wednesday and Friday, Aug 30 and September 1, with the Junior and Lightweight races on the Wednesday and the blue riband Senior a fortnight tomorrow.

Riders are travelling to the island from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe to join competitors from the UK and Ireland.

Australian Royce Rowe is among the favourites for the Junior, Lightweight and Senior MGP races, along with Welshman Barry Lee Evans.

The Irish challenge come from Andy Farrell, Davy Lumsden and Dennis Booth, while former Newcomers’ race winners Peter Wilkinson and Mikey Evans are among the leading locals, although Evans will not be happy with a start number of 17 for the Junior and Senior.

Darren Cooper of Preston could be another to watch at No3.




John Watterson