Manx GP speeds up

Practice for the Manx GP continues on the Isle of Man with the times getting faster despite regular interruptions by the rain and mist.

Monday’s session was abandoned completely as the rain refused to clear. All the bikes were scrutineered and officials delayed the start several times in the hope of the downpour abating but the promised clear skies never materialised.

The Tuesday evening session went ahead as planned but was still a little damp so saw no improvement in times. By the end of the session the mist had rolled in and riders were forced to endure a mile of slow riding at Snaefell because of the reduced visibility.

By Wednesday the weather had cleared enough to step up the pace. Ian Pattinson set the fastest time so far on his Bullock Kawasaki ZX-7R with a 116.34 mph average speed with Seamus Greene the fastest 600 on his Bullock Suzuki GSX-R600 setting a 115.99 lap.

Short showers again plagued Thursday’s practice with several riders being taken by surprise by the sudden downpours. But that didn’t stop Alan Jackson upping the best time of the week to 117.98mph on his W. A. Corless Honda CBR600RR.

Practice continues until August 27 with the races taking place on August 30, September 1 and September 3.