By After a top class opening evening of Mountain Course action at TT 2018, just some of the most interesting bits of news emerging from the TT paddock include that as already widely reported David Johnson will now form part of KMR Kawasaki’s, Lightweight TT challenge.
Ian Hutchinson was originally anticipated to pilot an RST backed KMR machine but it’s believed his big bike employers Honda rumoured to have not wanted him to ride for an alternative manufacturer, could have played a part in curtailing what would have been his first exploration into Super Twins action on the TT course.
Photo by Mark Corlett
It was a challenging opening Lightweight practice session last night for Gary Johnson and Team ILR’s Joe Thompson, who’s competitive aboard their respective CF Moto and Paton steeds ended with break downs with York’s Thompson challenge ending at Ballacraine.
There was also rotten luck for Japan’s Masayuki Yamanaka who was involved in an incident at Whitegates, from which he sustained a minor ankle injury.
Photo by Jim Gibson
Amongst a host of delighted Sidecar driver/passengers to complete their first laps of the fabled Mountain Course, Walsall based preacher Andy Haynes passenger to seasoned TT competitor John Shipley, summed up the emotions via Twitter of those fulfilling life long dreams:
“Brilliant. Newcomer TT lap done. Loved it, shed a few tears – emotional experience after 29 years of dreaming of it.
Hours doing laps on YouTube & in the car paid off as I knew where I was all the time & the bike felt great. Can’t wait for first practice on Monday!”
If we thought Michael Dunlop’s new unofficial Lightweight TT lap record from last night was astonishing news, then what happened this morning within the TT paddock it’s fair to say was equally as surprising and unfortunately dramatic, as an electric bike caught fire, which in turn caused the van it was in to set alight.
It’s not clear as yet as to which TT Zero team the fire has affected, Road Racing News would like to wish positive thoughts at this difficult time to the team involved, who like every outfit works, independent, or private has put in a huge effort to compete at TT 2018.
Words by Stevie Rial
