More sensational racing on offer at the 2009 TT
Another exciting day of racing at the 2009 Isle of Man TT is in prospect as the revised race schedule brings fans the first Relentless Supersport race and the Royal London 360 Superstock TT, plus the first Mountain course practice lap for the TTXGP clean emissions motorcycles.
The races were originally scheduled for Monday, but were moved after the opening race day – Saturday – was abandoned due to bad weather.
The Mountain section is due to close at 11am, with the rest of the course shut by 11.30am, and the four-lap Relentless Supersport race is due to get under way at 12.15pm.
The Royal London 360 Superstock is now scheduled to start its four laps at 6.30pm.
In addition to practice sessions during the afternoon, there will be a break between 5pm and 6pm while access points are opened to allow commuter traffic to move across the course. A full list of access points is available from the Isle of Man Government website.
All eyes will be on Michael Dunlop for the opening Supersport race after is incredible pace during practice. On Thursday evening he set an unofficial lap record on his 600cc Yamaha, lapping at an average speed of 126.299mph. The previous evening he had taken the top two times in the class, with his fastest lap a 125.085mph.
Ian Hutchinson cannot be ruled out, the TT winner figuring among the top three in three of the practice sessions, actually topping the time sheets on the opening timed practice with a 122.631mph.
Supersport specialist Steve Plater improved throughout practice week, and after a fine second place in the Dainese Superbike TT, he will be looking to add to his single TT win.
Others to watch out for include Keith Amor, Ryan Farquhar, Bruce Anstey, Mats Nilsson and William Dunlop, who all impress in practice. Plus, of course, John McGuinness, who topped the times on Tuesday, can never be counted out.
Picking a winner in the Superstock class is just as hard. TAS Suzuki’s Anstey is always one to watch, but he only made it into the top three once during practice.
Cameron Donald was one of the fastest during the week, but is out after a tumble on his Suzuki Superstock machine on Friday evening, which left him with a dislocated shoulder.
Guy Martin has had a strong showing in the class throughout the practice sessions, and could end his hunt for that elusive first TT win today, although Plater will be a tough man to beat, setting the week’s fastest lap speed – a 126.9938mph on Friday.
Hutchinson and Amor are also men to watch, and look out for Carl Rennie to spring a surprise – he topped the sheets on Thursday with a 126.252mph lap, and showed that was no fluke with second fastest on Friday.
It is set to be a great day of racing, and you can follow it all with the TT Live! subscription service.