Very blustery conditions met competitors as they took to the track for the first timed practice session of the 2008 Isle of Man TT on Monday evening. As they headed out they were warned of very strong winds around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course. The first pair out, 10 minutes later than expected were Guy Martin and Aussie Cameron Donald, followed by James McBride and Gary Carswell. Next away were Ryan Farquhar and Manxman Conor Cummins. Martin was first to complete a lap, with a time of 18m 08.22s, equal to 124.816mph, as he pulled into the pits. Cameron Donald went through for a second lap after covering his first in 18m 10.88s, an average speed of 124.513mph. What proved to be a hectic session, with riders trying out their various machines throughout, concluded at 7.50pm, just after 13-times TT winner John McGuinness had set off on his Superbike, having just completed a lap at 122.606mph on the Supersport Padgett Honda. Fastest of the Superbikes was Martin, who lapped at 126.020mph, in a time of 17m 57.83s, towards the end of the session.
Kiwi Bruce Anstey headed the Superstock times with a lap of 17m 58.46s, an average speed of 125.946mph, while McGuinness topped the Supersport class at an average speed of 122.606mph, in a time of 18m 27.84s. The Sidecar competitors were also warned about the windy conditions as they waited for their first timed session. The session was delayed after a serious incident at Gorse Lea, which led to a rider being airlifted to Noble’s Hospital. Newcomers Mark and David Brown set off on a controlled lap behind the Travelling Marshal and, after a short period to allow them to get to Sulby, it was Nick Crowe and Mark Cox who got the ‘regulars’ underway, followed by Dave Molyneux and Daniel Sayle. They were followed by John Holden and Andrew Winkle, then ex-world champion Klaus Klaffenbock with Christian Parser in the chair. Quickest of the Sidecars was the outfit of Crowe and Cox with a lap of 20m 03.61s, at an average speed of 112.851mph. World Sidecar Champions Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance put in a lap of 21m 49.59s to record a speed of 103.718mph on their first timed lap of the Mountain Course.
Kiwi Bruce Anstey headed the Superstock times with a lap of 17m 58.46s, an average speed of 125.946mph, while McGuinness topped the Supersport class at an average speed of 122.606mph, in a time of 18m 27.84s. The Sidecar competitors were also warned about the windy conditions as they waited for their first timed session. The session was delayed after a serious incident at Gorse Lea, which led to a rider being airlifted to Noble’s Hospital. Newcomers Mark and David Brown set off on a controlled lap behind the Travelling Marshal and, after a short period to allow them to get to Sulby, it was Nick Crowe and Mark Cox who got the ‘regulars’ underway, followed by Dave Molyneux and Daniel Sayle. They were followed by John Holden and Andrew Winkle, then ex-world champion Klaus Klaffenbock with Christian Parser in the chair. Quickest of the Sidecars was the outfit of Crowe and Cox with a lap of 20m 03.61s, at an average speed of 112.851mph. World Sidecar Champions Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance put in a lap of 21m 49.59s to record a speed of 103.718mph on their first timed lap of the Mountain Course.
