TT 2014: Rain strikes first practice

The first night of practice of the 2014 Isle of Man TT has suffered from the Manx weather, with a heavy shower of rain just after roads had closed forcing race organisers to cancel the session.

The newcomers were due to kick the night off, with controlled laps for both solos and sidecars behind experienced riders, followed by a supertwins session. However, with the controlled laps mandatory, Monday night’s schedule will now have to be rejigged.

With races never running on a wet track on the 37.73 mile circuit, many had expected the newcomers laps to go ahead nonetheless, but cloud closing in on Snaefell Mountain was the final nail in the coffin, with air ambulance helicopters unable to fly.

Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson said: “It’s unfortunate but the conditions were not conducive to any laps on the course this evening so the only sensible course of action was to cancel the session.  I’m conscious that the Lightweight machines have lost time at this stage and I’ll be looking to make it up ahead of their race on Friday week.”

Roads will close at 6pm Monday, with forecasts giving better conditions. The revised schedule will see the solo newcomers speed controlled untimed laps away at 18.15 with the sidecar newcomers starting their first lap at 18.30. Monday’s session will then run as planned from 18.45 with a full solo session for Superbike, Superstock and Supersport machines and a sidecar qualifying session from 19.55.