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Newcomers to the Classic TT presented by Bennetts got their first taste of the Mountain Course on Saturday night.

Under the guidance of experienced travelling marshals and former and current competitors the rookies completed the obligatory speed controlled lap of the 37.73 mile circuit to familiarise their selves with the many corners and landmarks.

Unfortunately the untimed practice session scheduled for the Senior, Junior, F1/F2, 350 and 500 classes was not able to go ahead due to an unforeseen shortage of marshals.

An unavoidable delay to a Steam Packet Company sailing left the Isle of Man Marshals Association short of marshals for the session which meant Clerk of the Course Phil Taubman had no choice but to curtail the evening's programme.

TT star John McGuinness had been one of the riders looking forward to getting out on the course for the untimed practice. He used social media site twitter to express the feelings of the paddock:

"Good to see the newcomers away on there speed control lap, there is loads of them !!!! Disappointed to [not] get out :-("

Fans were disappointed to miss another spectacle they've been waiting 30 years to see - 9-time TT winner Charlie Williams riding the Mountain Course in anger. His last competitive appearance was in 1984 when he took a second and fifth, for 2014 he'll be riding a 500cc Manx Norton with starting number 25.

No incidents were reported during the newcomers lap.

The next practice session is scheduled for Monday 18th at 18.20. Roads close around the course at 18.00hrs.

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