The 2009 Isle of Man TT is here!
It's here at last - the 2009 Isle of Man TT bursts into life today with the first practice session of the two-week festival.
The famous TT course will start closing to the public at around 5pm, starting with the Mountain section, and the first bikes are due to leave the TT Grandstand at 6.20pm, depending on weather and a smooth road closure.
The first machines to leave will be the strong field of TT Newcomers, many having their first taste of closed roads riding around the Mountain circuit. They'll be followed by the rest of the solo riders, and while this first session is not timed, most riders are likely to take the opportunity to refamiliarise themselves with the course, and put in some time on their bikes.
The sidecar newcomers will then have their controlled lap, followed by the rest of the chairmen before the session comes to an end.
You can follow the session with TT Live!, the subscription service offered by iomtt.com, which provides not only online access to the Official Radio TT commentary, but also live times and speed data, plus trackside news from the TT Grandstand. If you haven't subscribed yet, visit our TT Live! page to find out more.
Our News section will bring you reports on each practice session, as well as on all the racing, and all the latest from TT 2009 - plus you'll be able to download comprehensive results from our Results page.
The first timed practice is scheduled for Monday evening, with the solo machines followed by the sidecars. That sets the pattern for the rest of practice week.
You can see the full practice schedule on our Race Calendar page.
The first race is the Dainese Superbike TT on Saturday June 6, when Australian Cameron Donald will be out for a repeat of his 2008 success, while HM Plant Honda's John McGuinness will be looking to make up for last year's disappointment and add to his tally of 14 TT wins. They'll face competition for the opening victory, not least from Donald's Relentless TAS Suzuki teammate Bruce Anstey, McGuinness's teammate Steve Plater, Guy Martin, who is still hunting his maiden TT victory, the flying Gary Johnson, starting at number one, and many more strong runners.
Racing continues with the first Sure Mobile Sidecar race of the festival, with multiple winners Dave Molyneux and Nick Crowe resuming ther battle for supremacy against world class competition from the likes of Tim Reeves and the Birchall brothers.
Racing is scheduled for Monday June 8, with the Royal London 360 Superstock TT and first Relentless Supersport race, Wednesday June 10, with the second Relentless Supersport race and final Sure Mobile Sidecar showdown, and Friday June 12, with the Pokerstars Senior TT.
June 12 will also see the TT play host to a world first, the TTXGP. This is a one lap race for clean emission motorcycles intended to demonstrate the potential for non-petrol fuelled bikes.
With such a long course, there are some great spots to watch the action - but some areas are out of bounds for the safety of the competitors, race officials and you. You can find details of all restricted and prohibited areas, as well as tips on great places to catch the action, on our Spectator Guide page.
If you can't make it to the TT, or aren't staying for the full fortnight, don't forget highlights will feature on TV - see our TV Schedule page for details - and you can relive it all again on DVD - and for the first time on high definition Blu-ray - with the Official Review, available to order now at our Shop, along with many more Official TT products.
On Saturday June 13 the action transfers from the Mountain Course to the 4.25 miles Billown circuit in the south of the Isle of Man for the Motorsport Merchandise Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight TT races. Billown, the home of the Southern 100, hosted TT races for the first time last year and if the racing then is anything to go by, there are some real treats in store as TT 2009 comes to a close.
You can see the full race schedule on our Race Calendar page and, once again, follow the action from the Mountain course with TT Live!.
Of course, all sessions can be affected by weather and other factors and all times are subject to change. For the very latest on road closures please call (01624) 685888 and for news on changes to the practice or race schedule visit our News page, or tune into Sure Radio TT on 1368AM.
If you'd like to get more involved, why not consider volunteering to marshal? The TT simply couldn't happen without the marshals who give up their time to staff the course - and you can find out what's involved on our Marshal page.
While the focus is on the racing, there are loads of off-track attractions and entertainment as well. The Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre in Douglas will feature a host of acts, including the legendary Whitesnake, as well as the star-studded Relentless TT Party. See our Entertainment page for full details an and to find out how to get tickets.
For details of other events, including a chance to meet MotoGP star James Toseland at Peel Day on Sunday June 7, take a look at our Social Calendar.
As ever, the TT is set to attract some big name star guests, and without doubt the biggest this year is MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. The Italian superstar is set to make a flying visit on Saturday June 6 to lap the TT course for the very first time.
As if that wasn't enough, 125cc MotoGP winner Bradley Smith will also be over for the Dainese Superbike race, and legendary motorsport commentator Murray Walker, who cut his commentating teeth at the TT, will be back in the Isle of Man on Senior raceday.
There's so much going on at the 2009 TT, you'll want to chat about it whether you make to the Isle of Man or not - so why not join our popular Forum, where more than 11,000 TT fans go to talk about the racing, the festival and all elements of biking.
Finally, this year's TT is going to be so exciting you'll want to start planning your trip to TT2010 straight away. To get you started we've got some helpful tips in our TT 2010 section.
Here's to a great TT!