Manx GP IoM, Aug 21st – Day 3, First Practice – Blog by Alan Boyter at Vendetta Racing
What a day! from this morning there was a sense of change in the pits, presumably as this was to be the first day of practice, the first day of getting a chance to see what the circuit is like at speed, and of course with closed roads and one way.
Steve spent the morning on a bus trip round the island with all the other new comers and experienced marshals so that they would learn even more of what the 37.72 mile circuit had to offer.
Alan -"Does my bum look big in this ?" Steve - "Yup"
While he was away we finished the preparations on Steve’s practice bike early so it was ready to be scrutineered in the afternoon, this also gave us the chance to start preparing Steve’s second bike. The safety regulations for the bikes are extremely strict so every main nut and bolt has to be safety wired….which meant a lot of drilling! its almost done, we just have to rebuild it now.
Can we fix it ? - Yes we can....
We’ve also made sure that we have a set of wheels with wet tyres ready to fit should the weather change, which it almost did.
3pm came and it was time to take the bike up to scrutineering. The bike passed but we did get some advice on some parts which we promised to get fixed by Monday’s practice. The bike was then placed in Park Ferme waiting for 5:20 where the controlled practice would start. The idea of controlled practice is an experienced marshal (usually an ex racer) will lead groups of 8 newcomers round the course, but don’t be fooled that this is done slowly, the speed is usually done at a near qualifying pace.
First sneaky peeky at the course for Steve
As we were making our preparations for the practice the sky turned decidedly dark.
Mr Socketts raindancing skills were decidedly below par....nice breeks..
Whilst Jason was assuring Steve that its not going to rain I was hurriedly hunting around for all the tools to change the tyres to wets, but hoping and praying that it stayed dry.
We made our way up to Park Ferme ready for the off, constantly looking at the sky where we were told that the weather on the mountain was dreadful and that the practice was to be delayed.
With no time to change tyres we were now praying that it wouldn’t rain, the tension was building up as 50 newcomers were waiting in limbo, then the inevitable happened, it rained.
To be fair it was only a shower and as soon as the tarmac was wet the sun came out! it was a strange elation which seemed to relax the mood.
ah ken a ken er - but a dinnae ken wher a ken er fae ....
We were eventually given the ‘go ahead’ to get ready and within 5 minutes of that Steve was off! the first ride on the course. About 25 minutes later he rode into Park Ferme with the biggest grin on his face. 1st lap completed with no major issues.
25.04 minutes later he returned with the same beaming grin, but he tells me that he was down in first gear over the mountain as the fog and mist was so bad! looks like qualifying isn’t going to be an issue!
We got back to the pits to see how Grant ‘Wag’ Wagstaff got on, he managed a flying lap and passed the start/finish line at 147mph! a huge speed for such a narrow road.
Mr Wagstaff delighted with his 147mph ''sightseeing'' lap ! or is it just sheer lunacy ?
It was such a great atmosphere, both riders doing well and everyone on a high after such a stressful day. We all had a couple of celebratory beers in the pits together before we headed off to find some pasta… living from a burger van over the last 3 days is starting to take its toll!
Jason’s advising word of the day ‘Gillette’
TTFN Alan Boyter
