After a soggy few days, the Clerk of Course had planned a double session for Thursday to help make up for lost time.

Unfortunately, the morning weather didn’t want to play ball and the extra early session was therefore canned. So, we waited around throughout the arvo for the evening session.

Just before the roads closed, there was a traffic accident on the mountain, so the start of the session was delayed by an hour.

PIC: With the cold and rainy weather, The Duke stayed in bed all day.

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In the meantime, the rain returned and visibility dropped.

The Clerk of the Course decided to let Classics and Manx Grand Prix Lightweights out on an untimed sighting lap, but most Lightweight riders (including us) decided against it as the roads were too wet all around the course and there was nothing to be gained.

PIC: A pink pub in Peel.

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We’re hoping for a double session tomorrow but will run the Ducati on a dyno first thing in the morning just to give it a blast and check it over before we get on track.

PIC: Royce talking to Irishman Dave Butler in Parc Ferme waiting for the session to begin. Dave is starting the Lightweight class at number 5 (Royce is starting at 6) so we’ve been setting up alongside each other all week.

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Royce had this to say about another frustrating day on The Island, “We were so close to getting out tonight! It’s hard for me and the crew to get geared and amped up to go racing and then to pull the plug at the last moment.

“A bit of frustration hit tonight, with a delay due to a crash up on the mountain mile. The lap available out in the wet wasn’t gonna do us any good – there’s nothing to learn from it, so we decided to give it a miss.

“Tomorrow’s double sessions should supply some good saddle time finally.”

 

As it stands, the official statement for Friday’s riding is as follows:

Gary Thompson had already confirmed the additional Friday afternoon session due to the time lost earlier in the week. The confirmed schedule for qualifying for the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix tomorrow (Friday 23rd August 2019) is as follows:

12.30: Roads close around the Course

13.00: Classic TT Senior & Junior/ Manx Grand Prix Lightweight & Ultra Lightweight/ MGP Newcomers B&C qualifying

14.30: Classic TT Superbike & Lightweight/ Manx Grand Prix Senior & Junior/ MGP Newcomers A qualifying

16.30: Roads opening around the Course

18.00: Roads closed around the Course

18.20: Classic TT Senior & Junior/ Manx Grand Prix Lightweight & Ultra Lightweight/ MGP Newcomers B&C qualifying

19.15: Classic TT Superbike & Lightweight/ Manx Grand Prix Senior and Junior/ MGP Newcomers A qualifying

21.00: All roads open around the Course