FRUSTRATING FIRST QUALIFYING SESSION FOR MANX GRAND PRIX COMPETITORS AS FOG ENDS SESSION AFTER ONE LAP

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First qualifying session for the 2012 Manx Grand Prix Festival got underway this evening on the Isle of Man with conditions reported as good on the Mountain Course.

However, it was a frustrating evening for competitors as fog closed in on the mountain section during the opening lap and riders were only able to get a lap in before the first session was flagged.

Ahead of the session, riders were advised of damp roads after the exit of Handleys, at Ramsey Hairpin and Governors Dip. Blustery winds were reported on the mountain section with poor visibility between the Verandah and Kate’s Cottage.

The Junior (600cc) machines were first away with Paul Smyth (9), the 2011 Junior MGP runner up, on a Suzuki and Andy Lawson on a Kawasaki the first pair away. Smyth was first on the road to Glen Helen but Jamie Coward was quickest to Glen Helen and also posted the fastest time of the evening – 169mph – through the Sulby speed trap.

Mike Minns clocked the fastest lap of the night with 112.4406mph (00:20:07.997) on his 650cc Kawasaki ER6, while Yorkshire’s Jamie Coward with 111.4656 (00:20:18.564) and Trevor Ferguson, who clocked 111.4656 (00:20:18.564) were also quickly into their stride.

Clerk of the Course Phil Taubman kept the roads closed after flagging the first session after only one lap, hoping that the fog would lift and the Classic, Lightweight and Newcomers could all get at least a lap in. Shortly after 7.30pm he decided that the second session could leave the Grandstand but that riders would then be flagged at Parliament Square in Ramsey and escorted over the mountain in a speed controlled session by the travelling marshals. The lap will at least be counted as a qualifying lap.

Notable competitors out included Russ Mountford and Dan Kneen on ’85 Suzuki XR69’s and John Barton on his ’85 Suzuki GSXR in the Classic Superbike session while Ryan Farquhar, Olie LInsdell, Alan Oversby and Chris Palmer all went out in the Classic 500cc session.

The Classic, Classic Superbike, Junior Post Classic and Newcomers (B&C) are due on the track first tomorrow at 18.20 with the remaining machines due to go out at 19.05 and with two curtailed sessions they will be keen to get as much track time as possible ahead of the race programme which starts on Saturday with the Newcomers race.

Pictures: Dave Kneen