Stars of the Isle of Man TT were among the fastest racers as the latest road race meeting in the Isle of Man got under way on Monday evening.

The 4.25-mile Billown in the south of the Island is host to the Steam Packet International Southern 100 and the first practice sessions, held in good conditions, produced some excellent lap times.

The first practice session, for 1000cc machines, got underway at 6.32pm and former champion Guy Martin continued his fine form from the 2011 TT fuelled by Monster Energy, setting the early pace with a fastest lap of 2:21.844 (107.865mph), on his third time around on the Relentless Suzuki Superbike.

“This is one proper meeting I love attending. It’s run the way a road race should be and the organisers and fans make it a special week for all the riders," he said.

“I missed last year through injury, but it’s great to be back. It’s a mega circuit with some great corners: real road racing corners. The entry list is pretty strong this year, but I’m sure we can be at the sharp end fighting for some silverware on the Relentless Suzukis.”

Reigning Southern 100 Champion and two-times TT winner Ryan Farquhar (2:26.993) was also on the pace, as was Russ Mountford (2:27.801).

Former Southern 100 and TT race winners Australian Cameron Donald, racing for Wilson Craig Honda, and Ian Lougher, on his Blackhorse Kawasaki, made up the top five, just ahead of Dan Kneen, a late entrant on his Mark Bloom Yamaha and 2010 Manx Grand Prix Senior winner Si Fulton.

In the second 1000cc practice later in the evening Martin continued to set the pace, but Paul Cranston came through as the second fastest rider with a 2:24.839 and Lougher improved his earlier time with 2:26.325.

Continuing his racing comeback following his crash at the 2010 TT, Manxman Conor Cummins set a 2:27.523 to complete the top five.

Martin also topped the 600cc leaderboard, with Farquhar and Kneen making up the top three. The Lincolnshire star posted the fastest 600cc lap with a 2:25.434 (105.202mph), set in the second session, but with Farquhar and Donald also improving their earlier times, Martin will have his work cut out to stand on the top step in Thursday’s packed race schedule.

In the 125/400cc class, multiple winner Chris Palmer topped both practice sessions; 2:42.556 in the first and going slightly quicker with 2:40.570 in the second.

An incident in the second 250/650cc practice saw the session red flagged with the only recorded times in the class from the first session. Farquhar and Lougher were the top two and will be the men to beat on Wednesday and Thursdsay.

The sidecars also got some early track time with Simon Neary/Jason Crowe looking to make up for their TT disappointment. A lap of 2:37.484, set in the latter part of the session was comfortably the fastest on the night. Ian Bell/Carl Bell were also on the pace, and with 2011 TT Race-winning teams John Holden/Andy Winkle and Klaus Klaffenbock/Dan Sayle also in the field it promises to be a competitive class.

Practice continues on Tuesday, with a number of the Irish riders joining the event including Michael and William Dunlop, and in the evening there will be the Solo Founders race and a six-lap sidecar race.