By You could sense the relief amongst the Manx GP participants, once it was confirmed by Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson that practice tonight would go ahead on schedule at 6:20 PM.
Showing the form that makes him unquestionably a prime contender for class honours next week, Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed powered to the helm of the Ultra Lightweight time sheets.
Reigning Newcomers A runner up Tweed, flying lap of 103.240 mph, made him over a minute faster! than second quickest Dan Ingham (98.548).
Alongside the scintillating pace, solid, consistent form shown by Tweed and Ingham, others to impress included third fastest Steve Moody (98.471), lead 125/Moto 3 racer Tom Snow (96.020) and Denmark’s Carsten Svendsen (92.223).
Reflecting on Lightweight practice, the pace setter tonight was a rider who has for multiple years been for many a Manx GP winner in waiting, David Lumsden.
Martin Bullock Manxsport’s Lumsden, who’s event CV presently includes two podium finishes, in total five top six finishes, flying lap of 107.563 mph was just enough to overhaul fellow Irishman Dave Butler on the timing screens.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Continuing their impressive maiden Mountain Course tenures, Newcomers B pace setters Japan’s Yoshihiro Kishimoto (98.937), James Hind (98.913) and Barry Sheehan (98.471) all topped the 98 mph mark.
Whilst fellow debutants, fourth, fifth, sixth quickest respectively Michael Rees (96.881), Colombian Daniel Fernandez (96.693) and Daniel Capper (95.283) additionally showed excellent form.
After the mix of 650’s, 400’s, 125’s, 250’s and the odd Moto 3 ventured around the Mountain Course, the stage was then set for Junior, Senior, Newcomers A class racers to gain much needed track time.
Unfortunately more bad weather at purely and simply the wrong time entered the horizon, just minutes before riders were set for practice.
The ensuing wet weather, left the west side of the Mountain Course fully wet, well torrential. With conditions looking treacherous for competitors, Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson once again had no option but to halt another frustrating practice session.
Results per class from tonight’s practice session, are as follows:
Ultra Lightweight:
1 Darryl Tweed 103.240
2 Dan Ingham 98.548
3 Steve Moody 98.471
4 Tom Snow 96.020
5 Andrew Cowie 95.200
6 Mike Carter 92.445
7 Carsten Svendsen 92.223
8 Nigel Moore 90.811
9 Bob Millinship 90.331
10 Kevin ‘Ago’ Murphy 89.698
11 Adrian Morris 89.618
12 Derek Wilkie 89.554
Lightweight:
1 David Lumsden 107.563
2 Dave Butler 106.506
3 Gareth Evans 106.218
4 Victor Lopez Santos 105.764
5 Andy Farrell 105.075
6 James Chawke 104.762
7 Dave Quine 102.156
8 Gary Vines 101.446
9 Jamie Edwards 101.350
10 Steven Horne 100.670
11 Chris Moore 100.629
12 Brad Vicars 100.547
13 Rodger Wibberley 100.501
14 Ryan Maher 99.018
15 Paul Wardell 98.981
16 Yoshihiro Kishimoto 98.937
17 James Hind 98.913
18 Richard Stubbs 98.899
19 Nige Rea 98.859
20 Brian Appleton 98.721
Newcomers B:
1 Yoshihiro Kishimoto 98.937
2 James Hind 98.913
3 Barry Sheehan 98.471
4 Michael Rees 96.881
5 Daniel Fernandez 96.693
6 Daniel Capper 95.283
7 James Smith 94.898
8 Sam Grief 94.882
9 Ray Maloney 93.385
10 Jack Fowler 92.271
11 Paul O’Rourke 90.801
12 Veronika Hankocyova 89.305
Words by Stevie Rial
