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IOM TT NEWCOMERS
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EXPERIENCE OF THE MOUNTAIN
CIRCUIT AS WEATHER CLOSES IN
Persistent rain and fog meant it was a low key start to the 2010 Isle of
Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the poor weather conditions
meant that track activity on the Mountain Course was confined just to
the Newcomer’s controlled sighting lap on Saturday evening. The
scheduled 6.20pm start time soon came and went with poor visibility on
the Mountain the given cause for the delay and competitors had to wait
until 8.01pm before they could take their first lap.
The rain that had been falling on and off all day finally stopped but
riders were met with the notice board saying ‘damp patches all round,
standing water in places, improving visibility’ and so the 14 solo
newcomers that took to the circuit had an inauspicious start to their TT
careers. Former TT winner Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle was the first guide to
leave the line with Hudson Kennaugh, Brandon Cretu, David Johnson and
Herve Ganther having the honour of being the first to leave the line.
Rider Liaison Officer John Barton, who is a current Supersport
competitor, was next to follow as he escorted Brian McCormack, Takahiro
Itami and Gary May around the 37 and ¾ mile course.
Former Manx Grand Prix winner Paul Duckett left the line soon after with
Tony Czyzewski, Dan Cooper, Martin Loicht and Stephen Thompson in tow
with Nigel Beattie last to go with James Hurrell, David Jones and
Clinton Pienaar close behind.
A few of the riders had mechanical problems on the lap with Kennaugh and
Pienaar stopping at Douglas Road Corner and Ramsey Bus Station
respectively but at 8.32pm, Quayle was the first to return with his
remaining three riders finally getting their first lap under their belt.
Australian rider Johnson commented, “That was so good, I love it and
can’t wait for a dry lap. It was reasonably dry through Bishopscourt but
on the Mountain it was really cold with terrible visibility and I could
literally only see a few feet in front of me – I was just being guided
by Milky’s rear brake light. I was told you’ll either love it or hate it
and I absolutely love it – it’s awesome!”
Meanwhile, the sidecar newcomers, including first time passengers with
experienced drivers, had left Glencrutchery Road at 8.20pm with Roy
Hanks, Tony Baker and John Holden taking them round. Eleven crews went
out in total with Hanks followed by Roger Stockton/Annette Daykin, Carl
Fenwick/Keir Pedley and Gary and Dan Knight. Other crews to go were Mike
Roscher/Gregory Cluze, Michael Grambuller/Stefan Trautner, Michael
Lines/Kevin Perry, Nigel Mayers/Joe Shardlow, Matthew Dix/Julie
Hanks-Elliott, Karl Bennett/Lee Cain, Greg Lambert/Jason Slous and Nick
Dukes.
The first timed session is due to take place on Monday evening at 6.20pm
and everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed that the weather
improves so the real action can begin!
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