By Today we should have been looking forward to the opening practice session of TT 2020, taking place from 1:30 PM in the afternoon, with newcomers gaining their first competitive laps of the unparalleled Mountain Course.
As it is, the Covid-19 pandemic means their is no timed practice action today, no TT 2020 practice week.
Whilst there is no pulsating competition, it’s a good time to look at some of the main highlights from recent TT practice weeks.
2014:
Friday evening practice session – Soon after switching back to Dunlop’s from Metzeler tyres, Michael Dunlop aboard the factory supported Hawk Racing BMW unofficially laps over the 131.5 mph lap mark, for the first time.
2015:
Wednesday evening practice session – The first timed practice stint of TT 2015 sees 32 racers nudge over the 120 mph lap mark, including pace setters Bruce Anstey, John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson.
2016:
Friday evening practice session – Practice week action for 2016 concludes in incredible, record breaking fashion as Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson laps at 132.803 mph (17 minutes 02.781 seconds) to set not only an unofficial new Superstock lap record but also a new record lap speed/lap time of the fabled, mythical Mountain Course.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Aside from Hutchinson’s record breaking feats, Hawk Racing’s Michael Dunlop also laps under the previous existing lap record, lapping at 132.754 mph (17 minutes 03.156 seconds).
2017:
Tuesday evening practice session – Guy Martin’s high profile TT Races return with Honda Racing begins with the Kirmington racer placing 16th, 18th quickest respectively in the Supersport, Superbike classes.
2018:
Tuesday evening practice session – Silicone Engineering Racing’s Dean Harrison unofficially takes the Mountain Course lap record for the first time. Harrison’s flying lap saw him lap at 133.462 mph, which remains the quickest lap speed in TT practice week history.
2019:
Sunday afternoon practice session – Reproducing and some the form that took him to Super Twins pole position, at the North West 200, Hebden Bridge’s Jamie Coward reigned supreme in the opening Lightweight practice session of TT 2019.
Piloting the proven KTS Racing Kawasaki, Coward lapped from a standing start at close to the 118 mph mark, prior to setting an excellent lap speed of 119.96 mph.
Words by Stevie Rial
