A frustrating start for competitors for the opening qualifying session for the 2019 Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts saw a series of delays to the original start time of 5.20pm – first to move marshals around the course and then when rain affected the west side of the TT Mountain Course.

Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson originally elected to drop the first block in the session – the faster Superbike’s and Lightweight Classic bikes – and opted to send the Junior and Senior Classic Machines out but following a course inspection by the travelling marshals the roads were deemed too wet with no prospect of drying in time and the second block of the session was also cancelled.

Although the session was curtailed, there was at least an opportunity to allow the newcomers – Gary Freeman, Simon Collins, Jason Burrill, Ken Parkes and Terence Sansom - to experience their compulsory speed-controlled lap of the TT Mountain Course under the guidance of 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness and this duly got underway just before 19.40.

Gary Thompson confirmed that it was intended to take up the option of an additional qualifying session tomorrow (Sunday) and issued an appeal for qualified marshals to sign on as early indications were that numbers were lower than required.

Roads are due to close tomorrow (Sunday) at 12.45 with a Classic TT Lightweight and Superbike session due to start at 13.30 with the Junior and Senior Classic TT qualifying session starting at 15.15.

A revised schedule for Sunday can be found here.

For further information about the festivities across the Classic TT weekend, visit the Festival Pages.