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TT 2006 - Friday night Practice Report

Author: Department of Tourism and Leisure
Posted on: Friday, Jun 02 2006



Friday night June 2nd 2006

Conditions were near-perfect for Friday night's Isle of Man TT practice session – the last before racing commences tomorrow. Most of the leading contenders for honours were out and any thoughts they might take it easy in advance of Saturday's Superbike race were soon dispelled when the early times came through.

Ian Lougher – the first man to complete a lap - led the way on his Superbike Honda at 125.229 miles an hour followed by Ian Hutchinson's Kawasaki at 123.974, Martin Finnegan's Honda (123.03) and the Yamaha of Jason Griffiths (122.512)

The second circuits were just as fast with Hutchinson increasing his speed to 124.665, while Finnegan upped his to 123.956 and Griffiths to 123.19. Bruce Anstey, too, showed that he would be a major contender in the TT Superbike with a lap at 124.152. Meanwhile, John McGuinness went out on his Superstock Honda and recorded a speed of 124.152 with Hutchinson close behind at 124.06.

Just when it looked as if Lougher’s early lap would be the fastest of the night, Bruce Anstey took his Suzuki round in 18 minutes 4.20 seconds towards the end of the session, a lap of 125.279, to claim the honour. Ian Hutchinson reverted to his Superbike and also topped the 125 mark with a circuit at 125.084.

Fastest speeds of the night – TT Superbike: Bruce Anstey, Suzuki 125.279; Ian Lougher, Honda, 125.229; Ian Hutchinson, Kawasaki, 125.084. TT Supersport: John McGuinness, Honda, 120.784; Ian Lougher, Honda, 119.203; Mark Parrett, Yamaha, 119.105. TT Superstock: John McGuinness, Honda, 124.152; Ian Hutchinson, Kawasaki, 124.066; Gary Carswell, Suzuki, 122.860. Sidecars: Nick Crowe/Darren Hope, Honda, 110.853; Klaus Klaffenbock/Christian Parzer, Honda, 110.286; Steve Norbury/Scott Parnell, Shelbourne Yamaha 109.927. A total of 190 machines went through scrutineering.

The two riders who were involved in a high-speed collision in Monday night’s practice – Seamus Greene and Jun Maeda – are now both receiving further treatment in UK hospitals. Seamus was transferred to Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool earlier in the week and race officials said that Jun had now been moved to a hospital in Manchester.

Eleven times Sidecar TT winner Dave Molyneux is a patient in Noble’s Hospital, Douglas after dislocating his shoulder in a crash at Rhencullen during Thursday afternoon’s practice. He told Manx Radio TT that he had now ridden in his last Sidecar TT, although he was not giving up racing entirely. If that is the case he will leave a legacy of the fastest ever sidecar lap around the mountain circuit at 116.04 miles an hour.

Dave also suffered friction burns, as did passenger Craig Hallam. However, Craig was discharged from hospital after treatment.

Robbie Silvester, who sustained pelvic and leg injuries on Thursday, has been transferred to a general ward from the Intensive Therapy Unit of Noble’s. He is said to be stable and comfortable. Keith Stewart, who has leg injuries, is described as 'comfortable' while David Bell was discharged after treatment for a broken wrist. American sidecar passenger James Cornell is still critical.


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