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| TT News Scene - 2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 2 |
| 2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 2 | Submitted by: Bill Snelling Aug 19, 2002
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2002 MANX GRAND PRIX PRACTICES BULLETIN No. 2
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Monday Morning August 19
Conditions were good as the second practice session got under way just
before six o'clock. A large field was headed away by Bob Simmons (250
Classic Suzuki) from Bedfordshire and Francis Taylor (350 Ducati) from
Newton.
Early starters included 2000 750cc Newcomers? lap record holder Mick Skene
from Laurencekirk in Scotland. He had did well in this year?s Production TT,
so had little trouble re-acquainting himself with the Mountain Course.
Some doubt that seven-times winner Bill Swallow from Huddersfield might
not ride were dispelled when he turned out on Dick Linton's 350cc
Aermacchi, and 1998 Junior Clasasic winner Bruno Leroy from Lillebone in
France made a welcome return, opting for his Senior Classic mount, a 500cc
Norton.
Fancied local rider Nigel Beattie from Laxey exercised extreme caution as he
set his steering damper to his liking, but there were problems on the line for
Ian Watson from Saltburn, who was forced to pull his 600cc Kawasaki off the
line when a radiator collant leak was spotted.
Philip Gilder from Malmesbury was first to complete a lap and he went
straight through unofficially recording about 21 minutes. He went even
quicker second time round before stopping to refuel, take a drink and replace
his visor before a third lap. He thought his bike was running a degree cool,
but put it down to the reduced air temperature of the early morning session.
Local newcomer Tom Clucas had machine trouble, though was able to make it
back to the Grandstand. His rear brake had stuck on when hydraulic problems
caused the disc pads to melt!
Sterling work by helpers got Roy Phipps from Stoke out with minutes to
spare. His Norton developed clutch trouble which necessitated cutting a
lump off the inner rod.
Raymond Porter from Lifford in Eire had expert help from former competitors
Uel Duncan and Davy Wood, but gearbox trouble on his Regal Series Honda
prevented serious progress.
Norman Kneen had a big slide at Bishop's Court, not far from his Kirk
Michael home, but otherwise pronounced himself content with the back-end
handling of his 250 Honda. Though more work was needed on the front
suspension.
A total of 275 machines were passed through scrutineering.
The next practice will be this evening at 6.15pm.
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