Hodson leads F1 charts in Classic TT; Cook tops MGP speeds.

Thursday evening’s qualifying session for MGP and Classic TT had excellent conditions; dry roads, a very gentle breeze and thin cloud ensuring no harsh sunlight on the run to Ballacraine or on the mountain climb. Location for the session was on the platform kindly provided by the owners of Motors and Mowers. There were a dozen enthusiasts there to watch the rapid action unfold.

Nathan Harrison was first to face the drop down Bray Hill and he was first to sweep around Douglas Road Corner and burst into our view. It is an awesome sight as the bikes power past the Mitre Hotel; heeling over to take the right hand curve and plunge down the hill past the former IOM Bank building. They then have the “surreal experience” of charging between the houses and shops of the village clicking into top as they do so. The noise reverberating off the buildings adds to the experience. Nathan was rapid on the Greenall Kawasaki, as was Jamie Coward on the team’s other machines. Jamie was second fastest on the night; whilst Nathan was third. Rob Hodson was next on the sweet sounding Key Racing Ducati 916; right behind him was Craig Neve; how good to see him back on the course and flying. Rob has the Ducati singing; he was fastest on the night at 127.402mph. Davey Todd had a problem with his Ducati that slowed him on the mountain section; what had been a rapid lap finished being below 120mph.

After Julian Trummer on the TP Racing / DP Coldpaning Kawasaki we had Brian McCormack (Greenall Kawasaki) and Joe Yeardsley (Mistral Kawasaki) in close company. The theme of duos and groups was repeated throughout what was a very busy session and gave some wonderful viewing for the spectators. The speeds were impressive with Nathan Harrison lapping at over 125mph. With a lighter fuel load most of the top riders increased their pace on the second lap; with Rob Hodson’s lap the standout. In all 11 riders in Formula One set laps at over 120mph. Michael Dunlop was not one; the Norton sounded flat; not the raucous monster, fire breathing monster that we can remember from the early 1990s.

The Manx Grand riders raised their game with Chris Cook the fastest of the Supersport / Senior riders. Caomhan Canny took second on his 750cc Suzuki. Local man Grant Thomson; who came through behind Johhny Stewart; increased his best to 117.171mph to be fifth quickest. He is a very impressive rider and could be in the mix for a podium finish on race day. Jamie Williams was third in this class; but completed just one lap; unlike the other leading contenders; preferring to concentrate on his Junior / Supertwin Aprilia. The top 10 in the class lapped at over 115mph.

Caomhan Canny was fastest in the Juniors / Supertwins at 112.973mph, marginally ahead of Jamie Williams, Michael Gahan and Harley Rushton. This is going to be a very close race; 12 riders lapped at over 110mph in the session.

The second session was less frenetic but provided some compulsive viewing; Ian Lougher, John McGuinness and Will Loder coming through inches apart being a case in point. McGuinness topped the charts; putting the Winfield Paton around at over 110mph. Mike Browne on the all black (what else would you expect) New Zealand based Norton ES2 (not a Manx as one the commentary team keeps calling it) was rapid and provided a big talking point for the spectators. He was second fastest ahead of local rider Joe Yeardsley on his Flitwick Enfield.

The Lightweights gave us the sound of two stroke racing machines to enjoy. Having topped the Seniors on Wednesday; Adam McLean was fastest in this class on the LayLaw TZ250 at 112.629mph. Stuart Hall was second on his own TZ250; Michael Sweeney was third. Dan Sayle’s lap at over 115mph from Wednesday remains the target. The Classic Junior was headed by Mikey Evans; his late lap at 103.352mph on the Rutter Honda could not be matched. Dean Harrison was on course to do so; but his machine failed on the run into Ramsey. Paul Jordan and Joe Yeardsley both lapped at over 102mph. Jamie Coward slid of the Craven Manx at Signpost; hopefully nothing but pride was damaged.

Friday sees an afternoon session. With conditions set to be ideal the speeds should rise again.