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| TT News Scene - 2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 1 |
| 2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 1 | Submitted by: Bill Snelling Aug 17, 2002
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2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 1 - Saturday Evening August 17
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Practising for the first Manx Grand Prix for two years was delayed by
quarter-of-an-hour as organisers the Manx Motor Cycle Club waited in vain for mist on Snaefell Mountain to clear. Eventually, with a warning from Controller Les Doherty to go gently in the poor visibility, Stephen Carr (400 Kawasaki) from Carrickfergus and Shaun Major (400 Honda) from Oxford had the honour of leading the large field away.
Ten minutes later the Classic riders were despatched from the bottom of their new paddock in Pit Lane, which considerably eased congestion in the top area. Francis Taylor (472 Ducati) from Newton and Bob Simmons (250 Suzuki) from Bedfordshire were first off.
First to complete a lap was fancied newcomer Tom Clucas, from Peel, utilising his local course knowledge to clock a very respectable 24 minutes, though the session was not officially timed. But even he said it was "desperate" peering through the fog all the way from the Gooseneck to Creg-ny-Baa. This was confirmed by fellow newcomer Mark Castle from Congleton, who had the added excitement of over-soft suspension and a loose throttle grip. Nevertheless, he was keen to go out for a second lap, but was thwarted when the session was curtailed due to deteriorating conditions.
Reflecting ruefully on a missed chance was classic star Tony Myers, from Hull. After his 500 Seeley steadfastly refused to produce even a cough, the fault was traced to severe fuel starvation, but by then the rider had wandered away and the stop flag was being readied.
Talented Ulsterman Robert McCrum (600 Honda) from Ballygawley, was satisfied
with his opening official lap, but was not attracted to crack on for a second round,though about 40 or so did prior to the flag going out.
Just as at the TT, a number of riders fell foul of the requirement for the lower run of the back chain to be protected where it leaves the rear sprocket. Some weird and wonderful temporary fabrications were quickly knocked up, including guards cut from Castrol GTX tins and one from a Mild Havana cigar tray still with markings attached.
Local rider Dave Corlett was somewhat bemused by having to wear a newcomers'
jacket and the earlier obligation to do a sighting lap on a coach. He had done dozens of laps as a TT sidecar passenger since 1982, mainly with Steve Sinnott, but obviously no exemption could be made from the strict newcomers rules. And he'll have to qualify the same as everyone else.
Gail Musson has now moved to live in the Isle of Man and had the luxury of two 125 Hondas to choose from. She took out her own to begin with, but there was no
chance to switch to the former Eric Bregazzi-owned model as time ran out.
A total of 311 machines were scrutineered and there were no incidents, but it had been a sad day with the loss of Gary Jess at the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod. He had been due to ride in three classes at the Manx Grand Prix and was red-hot favourite for victory in the 600cc Newcomers Race.
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