TT 2008 is up and running.
TT 2008 began with a well supported untimed untimed practice session. Tim Reeves became the first reigning World Champion since the late great Jock Taylor to take part at the event.
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 Practice Saturday May 24th The fist action on the Mountain Course took place on a sunny but blustery evening. The track conditions were excellent apart from a small section at Snugborough. After the seemingly obligatory delay to proceedings; this due to signage needing to be completed, rather than vehicles having been left on the track; the action started with the solo newcomers being led around the track. A travelling marshal led the way followed by Riders’ Liaison Officer John Barton on his Supersport machine. Jamie Robinson and James Hillier had the honour of being the first competitors to complete a lap in TT 2008. Hillier was like a child in toy shop when he dismounted saying “unbelievable, what a buzz; I kept looking over my shoulder to see if the police were chasing us.” First of the experienced riders past our vantage point at Sulby was Guy Martin on the Hydrex Honda Superbike; he had Adrian Archibald tucked in behind; indeed the two were as close together on their second lap; after which they changed machines. Next through were the Relentless Suzuki duo of Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey. Things then became very hectic for the next few minutes with John McGuinness on his Superbike, Ian Lougher also chose to use his Superbike and it was interesting to see Ryan Farquhar out on a Superbike in Harker livery. Superstocks were being used by James McBride, Conor Cummins and Keith Amor. On the Superpsorts we had Chris Palmer, Steve Plater, Mark Parrett and Mats Nilsson on his Padgett’s Manx Gas machine. Most riders chose to stop at the end of their first lap; either to make adjustments or change machinery. Most managed to complete three laps in what they acknowledged to be good conditions around the course, with everyone glad to be back at the event. The Sidecar session was similarly led away by the newcomers with Roy Hanks and Dave Wells providing their escort. Here the focus of attention was on World Champion Tim Reeves and his ballast man Patrick Farrance. There were quite a few competitors out under escort as some experienced men had first timers on the outfit with them. The first of the established crews through was Nick Crowe/Mark Cox who had Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle just inches behind them. Whilst it was the latter crew which had left the start line first, it would be foolish to read much into that as the session was untimed and you don’t win it on the first lap of practice. Nick and Mark did just one circuit but Dave and Dan put in what appeared to be a rapid second lap. Other notables out at the head of the field were John Holden/Andy Winkle on their Relentless Suzuki liveried outfit; Klaus Klaffenbock/Christian Parzer on their Padgett’s Manx Gas outfit; Simon Neary/Jamie Winn; Gary Bryan/Robert Bell; Phil Dongworth/Stuart Castles and Nigel Connole/Dipash Chauhan, the latter having been best newcomer with Doug Wright last year. Reeves and Farrance managed a second lap and had it sideways around the bridge. After his efforts Tim said “that was absolutely fantastic. I can see why everyone has raved about the event. I’ve never experienced anything like that anywhere else in the world in all the circuits I’ve raced. It is an awesome place – nothing’s the same. I’m used to going out for a lap of a minute or two so to go for 20 minutes or so is brilliant. I didn’t want to stop.” He also mentioned that he was still having some trouble with the mountain section due to its lack of reference points; the lowland sections he had sorted already. Having completed nanny duties Roy and Dave duly completed a somewhat faster lap on their DMR Suzuki. The next practice is scheduled for Monday evening; hopefully the promised rain will not materialise.
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