Dunlop and Crowe brothers set early pace at TT 2024

After a delay of 4 hours, whilst the track dried and hill mist lifted, TT 2024 fired into life. It was a bright afternoon in the Gooseneck area of the course; with just an occasional cloud casting a shadow on the hallowed tarmac. The downside was that it remained cold for the time of year. The first machines on track were those of the newcomers on their escorted lap. The honour of being the first of those newcomers went to Patrick Hoff. The first of the sidecars was that of Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. Once the lap was complete it was an untimed two lap session for the Supersport and Supertwin machines.

First to burst into view from Tower Bends was Jamie Coward (Steadplan Triumph); then Dean Harrison on his Honda 600cc; resplendent in the official leathers for the first time. Then it was Josh Brookes making a welcome return to the Supersports on his Russell Yamaha. It was fast and furious as the machines powered past; notable were James Hillier back onboard a Bournemouth Kawasaki Supersport machine and the amazing Ian Hutchinson on the Padgett Honda. We then saw Davey Todd on his maiden lap on the booming Powertoolmate Ducati; he is my idea of the race favourite. Leading Supertwin rider was Barry Furber; a man who seems to go under the radar but is real contender for the top 6 in that class. He was followed closely by MGP Senior winner Joe Yeardsley, making his TT debut, out on the new Spin Arena Yamaha.

Following that busy session we had the untimed session for the Superstock; weapon of choice for most; and Superbike machines. First to reach us was James Hillier on the WTF Racing Fireblade; fast and bang on line. Phil Crowe (Appleyard BMW) was next; then 23 times winner John McGuinness. It was great to see Nathan Harrison out on the Honda Racing Superstock machine. Patrick Hoff was going very well; circulating with Erno Kostamo; a newcomer last year. Local double MGP winner Mikey Evans was noted as being neat and fast on his Suzuki. David Rigby was another local who stood out from the crowd. Having had a problem early in the session Michael Dunlop was rapid when he did appear late in the session. Marcus Simpson and Sam West blotted their copybooks with offs at Governor’s. This was an excellent session and it appeared that Hickman, Dunlop, Todd and Dean Harrison would the ones to beat; but there was no firm evidence in an untimed session.

An oil spill on Bray Hill necessitated a break for a clean-up before the sidecars could come out for a single lap. Dave Molyneux’s ill luck continued with a machine failure. This was a good taster of things to come with Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement rapid on their first unescorted lap of the daunting course. After 5 minutes of action; the session was over.

The evening was bright but cold and windy for the first timed session of the meeting. There was a gathering of just 79 hardy souls to watch the practice unfold; not quite the number present when Mike Hailwood returned in 1978. First rider to take the tight, rising right hand bend was Dean Harrison on his Supersport Honda; it strange to see him in the Honda colours. He was fast and bang on line, as were the majority of those chasing. Brooks, Coward, Hillier, Todd on the Ducati and Paul Jordan were the next to charge away to climb up to Guthrie’s. There was plenty to keep the spectators interested. Mike Browne had problems with his Supertwin as he started the climb. Marcus Simpson was rapid as was fellow local Mikey Evans looks at home on the Smith’s Triumph. Irish newcomer Kevin Keys seems to be settling in nicely to the rigours of the course. Michael Dunlop was trying; he held a very tight line on his Supersport Triumph; surely Joey’s record is going to at least equalled this year. There were fast men out on the Supertwins; Stefano Bonetti and Francesco Curinga notable on their sweet sounding Patons.

It seemed no time at all when the big ones were let loose; there was no settling in; they were on the pace immediately with the top men close to 130mph on a cold, windy evening on a track nowhere near to being rubbered in. Michael Dunlop was first to the Gooseneck on his stocker. Davo Johnson and Phil Crowe were circulating together behind him. Then it was thick and fast with Craig Neve, Josh Brookes and Dean Harrison charging past. Peter Hickman was superb on his stocker; it pulled away from us like a rocket. It was good to see locals Paul Cassidy and David Rigby going well on their stockers.

Davo Johnson on the factory Kawasaki was first through on lap 2; closely followed by Davey Todd on the Milwaukee BMW, on which he will be looking for podium finishes. Yet again, fast and furious action without any moments. Then a brief respite before the chariots reached us.

The Sidecars opened with Ryan and Callum Crowe charging in a couple of metres ahead of Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley; neither giving an inch; superb.  Ben Birchall and Kevin Rousseau were next followed by Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes who gave us a fine display of power sliding. World Champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement were fast and are clearly settling in well to their task of learning 37.73 miles by Saturday. The second lap was faster than the first; with the Crowe brothers best of all. For Dave Molyneux another mechanical ruined the evening.

The fastest solo was the Superbike of Michael Dunlop at 129.590mph; then Davey Todd 129.575 and Peter Hickman 128.721mph topped the class leader board. The Superstocks were led by Hickman at 129.032mph; then it was Dunlop at 128.87mph and Dominic Herbertson at 127.54mph. The Supersports were led by Davey Todd at 125.601mph; then it was James Hillier at 125.483mph and Dunlop at 125.048mph. The Supertwins were headed by Hickman at 118.011mph; then Davey Todd 116.063mph and Barry Furber at 114.958mph. The Crowe brothers led the Sidecars at 116.699mph; Birchall / Rousseau set 115.882mph with Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley third at 115.505mph.

Weather permitting there will be a timed session for each class on Tuesday evening.