Classic TT begins with un-timed laps for some riders

THE Isle of Man Classic TT got off to a shaky start yesterday after two days of bad weather and a road traffic crash on the mountain course forced the organisers to run untimed laps.

At 19:35 yesterday the first block of riders – Senior and Junior Classic TT entrants – finally took to the track after two days of waiting in the paddock for decent weather. With rain then starting to fall, clerk of the course Gary Thompson declared an untimed session, advising riders to ‘ride to the conditions.

With only a lap available for fading light, a number of the leading riders elected to go out on their 500cc machines ahead of Saturday’s opening race – the Bennetts Senior Classic TT - including 2018 race winner John McGuinness on Roger Winfield’s Paton, James Hillier on the CSC Racing Honda, Lee Johnston (Davies Motorsport Honda), and Jamie Coward (Ted Woof Norton).

Ian Lougher also went out on his Senior machine but was a retirement at Ramsey. Michael Rutter elected to go out on his Junior machine – the 350cc Ripley Land Racing Matchless.

Gary Thompson had already confirmed the additional Friday afternoon session due to the time lost earlier in the week and the schedule for tomorrow (Friday 23 August) is now:

12.30:  Roads close around the Course

13.00:  Classic TT Senior and Junior qualifying

14.30:  Classic TT Superbike and Lightweight qualifying

16.30:  Roads open around the Course

18.00:  Roads close around the Course

18.20:  Classic TT Senior and Junior qualifying

19.15:  Classic TT Superbike and Lightweight and MGP Qualifying

21.00:  All roads open around the Course