HM Plant Honda look for more improvements as 2010 TT practice continues
Wednesday 02 June 2010
TT
John McGuinness, 15 times a winner at the Isle of Man TT, is looking forward to making further improvements during the Wednesday practice session at the 2010 TT.
The third timed practice session of this year’s TT is scheduled for this evening. The Mountain Road from Ramsey Hairpin to the Creg-ny-Baa is due to close at 5pm and the rest of the course at 6pm.
The first machines are scheduled to leave the TT Grandstand in Douglas at 6.20pm. For the latest information on road closure information tune into Manx Radio TT on 1368MW or 87.9FM in the Douglas area or call the roads information phoneline on 01624 685 888.
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McGuinness said he had been amazed by the times seen during Monday’s first practice, and had taken it easy in tricky conditions on Tuesday night.
Speaking after Tuesday's session he said:
“Last night the times were just unbelievable. Everything felt pretty good and under control. My first lap was 125mph and the second 127mph which is incredible on the first night of practice.”
“The course is in pretty good shape, there was a bit of dust about but it wasn’t as bad as we expected. We were worrying about the bad winter over here and there would perhaps be more bumps, but it’s exactly the same and the resurfacing they have done through the Black Dub and through Kirk Michael is really good.”
“Tonight it was wet in places and I was not comfortable to go for a really fast lap in those conditions. The weather forecast is good for tomorrow and the rest of the week so we can work towards improving our lap times then.”
Michael Rutter, who has joined McGuinness in the HM Plant Honda squad to stand in for the injured Steve Plater on the Superstock machine, is also hoping for improvements during this evening’s session.
He said:
“I am really enjoying myself, love the HM Plant Honda Fireblade and it’s going really well for me. I have posted quicker lap times than ever before here, which is great news and now we are promised some good weather so I am really looking forward to Wednesday evening’s practice session.”
The third member of the HM Plant squad, Keith Amor, also speaking on Tuesday night said:
“I really didn’t think we would be out tonight, but it turned into a beautiful evening and although a bit damp in places, it was fine. Last night was my first time on the bike and the first night of practice here at the TT is more about me enjoying myself and not frightening myself. I didn’t frighten myself and just rode around to get used to the bike, which is awesome, and get myself settled into it. But tonight I got my head down and went for a quicker time.”
“But of course it’s how fast you go on Saturday in the race that matters, not how fast you go on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.”
HM Plant Honda Team Manager Havier Beltran added:
“The conditions here have not been ideal for us so far. The track was dirty on the first night and last night (Tuesday) it was quite wet at Glen Helen and also towards the end of the course.”
“The HM Plant Honda riders quite sensibly are not prepared to push it in those conditions, but with the weather set to improve from Wednesday onwards we can get on with tyre choice and set-up in preparation for racing on Saturday.”