Yorkshireman Jamie Coward was quickest to Glen Helen and also posted the fastest time of the evening - 169mph - through the Sulby speed trap

Mon 20th, Doulas, Isle of Man – First qualifying session for the 2012 Manx Grand Prix Festival got underway this evening on the Isle of Man with conditions reported as good on the Mountain Course.

However, it was a frustrating evening for competitors as fog closed in on the mountain section during the opening lap and riders were only able to get a lap in before the first session was flagged.

Ahead of the session, riders were advised of damp roads after the exit of Handleys, at Ramsey Hairpin and Governors Dip. Blustery winds were reported on the mountain section with poor visibility between the Verandah and Kate’s Cottage.

The Junior (600cc) machines were first away with Paul Smyth (9), the 2011 Junior MGP runner up, on a Suzuki and Andy Lawson on a Kawasaki the first pair away. Smyth was first on the road to Glen Helen but Jamie Coward was quickest to Glen Helen and also posted the fastest time of the evening – 169mph – through the Sulby speed trap.

Mike Minns clocked the fastest lap of the night with 112.4406mph (00:20:07.997) on his 650cc Kawasaki ER6, while Yorkshire’s Jamie Coward with 111.4656 (00:20:18.564) and Trevor Ferguson, who clocked 111.4656 (00:20:18.564) were also quickly into their stride.

Clerk of the Course Phil Taubman kept the roads closed after flagging the first session after only one lap, hoping that the fog would lift and the Classic, Lightweight and Newcomers could all get at least a lap in. Shortly after 7.30pm he decided that the second session could leave the Grandstand but that riders would then be flagged at Parliament Square in Ramsey and escorted over the mountain in a speed controlled session by the travelling marshals. The lap will at least be counted as a qualifying lap.

Notable competitors out included Russ Mountford and Dan Kneen on ’85 Suzuki XR69’s and John Barton on his ’85 Suzuki GSXR in the Classic Superbike session while Ryan Farquhar, Olie LInsdell, Alan Oversby and Chris Palmer all went out in the Classic 500cc session.

The Classic, Classic Superbike, Junior Post Classic and Newcomers (B&C) are due on the track first Tues at 18.20 with the remaining machines due to go out at 19.05 and with two curtailed sessions they will be keen to get as much track time as possible ahead of the race programme which starts on Saturday with the Newcomers race.

Steve on his first sighting lap since 2010

Dubai’s own Vendetta Racing Report- Steve Blackney #55

It was quite a quiet day waiting until the evening practice. As we had yet to go out there wasn’t much prep work to do so all the little jobs were completed like find a leather shop to sew on patches and had yet another lap of the circuit in the car. We also felt confidant in the dry weather so changed to semi slick tyres.

Eventually the time came for practice and close to 200 bikes were parked in various holding area’s waiting to go. There was a slight delay with the weather due to fog on the mountain but soon enough Steve got underway. The familiar rush of the bikes leaving in pairs down Brae hill was suddenly very real. Once number 55 was away down the hill it was back to the waiting game, hoping that nothing happened on on the track and that the bike and rider behaved.

During the lap there was an announcement that the weather had closed in on the mountain and that the session would be flagged at the end of lap one to see if the weather would improve. It must be bad!

Soon enough Steve crossed the line and was waved into the holding area. His first words were ‘yup, just as scary as I remember!’ It does take a lot of concentration to race through a road circuit and although all racers watch countless on board laps and play station laps it doesn’t 100% apply to the real thing.

Due to the weather on the mountain the second session was allowed out but would be flagged at Ramsey, then a controlled convoy over the foggy mountain. A good idea as half a lap at race speed is better than no lap at all and everyone has to complete a minimum of 5 practice laps to qualify for the races.

Steve’s feedback on the bike was good and lots of alterations are required for the next practice. The suspension of the rear of the bike requires more damping as does the steering, also the gearing needs to be set taller to get more speed on the straights. A rear seat hump will have to be fabricated too to allow Steve to support himself over the bumpy sections.

Along with the usual strip down and check of the bike, tomorrow looks to be a busy day!