After the difficulties of the opening practice, organisers were hoping for an
easier time at the second session. But they were out of luck, as illegally
parked cars at Parliament Square in Ramsey lost 20 minutes of the two-hour
programme.

When the start signal was given, a nine-strong bad of newcomers set forth on
a speed-controlled lap led by a travelling marshal. Although mad keen to get going, they had been kind enough to wait while Scott Wilson from Carnforth  (Kawasaki) fitted a replacement battery and overcame a seat unit reluctant to
re-locate.

The two fastest men on Saturday, Alan Jackson from Southport (600 Honda)
and Ian Pattinson (600 Honda) from Weardale, were among the first away in
the first of the star group which preceded the rank-and-file. And it was
Jackson first back with Burrows well in arrears.

Jackson had been surprised to take 20 seconds out of Burrows even by Sulby, but the reason was plain - Burrows' 750 motor was blowing smoke and eventually had to be coxed back at reduced knots.  Both switched to their 600s but Jackson caught the back markers from the preceding session and was short-lap flagged off.

He said: "I tried to let John (Burrows) know his engine was smoking but I
wasn't quite able to get the message across!"

Kenny McCrae from Tynan did two laps on his 750 and said mist was becoming a problem second time round. It transpired that it was only his dark visor covered in dead insects! there was no mist! On a more serious note, he intends softening the suspension to soak up the bumps which still are quite a problem in places such as the Lezayre Road.

"I'll have to get some tear-offs," he quipped, although water wings might be
a better bet for Wednesday if the weather forecasters are to be believed.

Local man Si Fulton from Ramsey had water problems of another kind. His 600
Honda was overheating and throwing out water. It gave him a few lurid slides
before he spotted the coolant all over his back tyre.

Fancied runner Ian Pattinson did a lap on each bike but just missed out on a
second on the 750. 'Satisfactory progress' was how he described the ride.

The only incident concerned Phil Hickey from Lamberhurst, who crashed at
the Black Dub. He was examined by a paramedic and pronounced OK.