TT 2017: Bosses preparing radical contingency for Wednesday practice

Isle of Man TT bosses are preparing contingency plans should tonight’s practice sessions be affected by heavy mist on the mountain as forecasts are predicting.

While at present the island is basked in sunshine, weather forecasts suggest cloud will come in as the afternoon moves on and while there’s not to be any rain, heavy mist on the mountain could put play havoc with the second practice sessions set get underway shortly after 6pm this evening.

With riders having already lost two evenings of practice and the forecast looking less than favourable for the remainder of the week, Clerk of the Course Gary Thomspon and his team are considering alternative options.

If the weather is OK elsewhere apart from on the mountain, one option being considered is to run the session but then make riders stop as they come into Ramsey and await a speed controlled marshal escort over the mountain section.

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Riders would be yellow flagged at school-house and then red flagged at Parliament square, before being taken over the mountain. However, this plan can only go ahead if the medical helicopter can fly on the lower parts of the course. Gary Thompson has confirmed that the laps will count as qualifying.  

On top of that, depending on how much practice is affected by the weather as the week goes on, organisers could make the call to postpone Saturday’s racing until Sunday and run an extended practice day on Saturday with the forecast more favourable. 

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