2015 Isle of Man TT Races set for lift off

[Mago]

The 2015 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, is set to get underway on Saturday evening with qualifying sessions scheduled for the Newcomers, Lightweight and Sidecar classes.

Weather permitting, the action around the Mountain Course is due to get underway at 6.20pm (GMT) with circuit debutantes Robbin Harms, Derek McGee, Tom McHale, Franck Petricola, Daniel Harrison and Geoffrey Vankoekelbergh set for their speed controlled lap with Rider Liaison Officers John Barton and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle.

Following them will be the first official practice session for the Lightweight machines and this will give expected front runners James Hillier, Ryan Farquhar, Ivan Lintin, Gary Johnson, Lee Johnston and Jamie Hamilton the opportunity to re-familiarise themselves with the 37.73-mile course.

Also eager to get out on track as early as possible will be last year’s four-time winner Michael Dunlop who might not necessarily see the Lightweight class as his main focus but will look to filly utilise the track time, and Michael Rutter who will campaign the Italian Paton machine in a class dominated by 650cc Kawasakis.

Following on from the solo action will be the Formula Two sidecars who have an impressive line-up of 12 newcomers including overseas visitors Chris Wells/Jeff Gillard, Lionel Mansuy/Melanie Farnie and Guenther Bachmaier/Andreas Kolloch as well as local pairing Craig Melvin/Stuart Christian

The session will also see all the fancied teams get laps under their belt with last year’s winners Conrad Harrison/Mike Aylott and Dave Molyneux expected to lead the charge. 17-times winner Molyneux has a new passenger this year of course with Ben Binns.

Also keen to get dialled back in will be Ben and Tom Birchall, Tim Reeves, Patrick Farrance and John Holden/Dan Sayle.

The Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes will get their first sessions on Monday evening where star names including John McGuinness, Bruce Anstey, Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson and Conor Cummins will all be out in force.

You can follow the session via the iomtt.com live timing service and Manx Radio TT‘s on-line commentary service.