McGuinness is fastest at Isle of Man practice. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/5031904.stm)

Cheers for posting that, I'd completely forgot the TT was this month. I've just had a look at the UK TV schedule and there's a 50 minute program from the IOM on Sunday at 1:05pm. Would be nice if there was a bit more, but I guess you take what you can get.

at least you get come coverage...the only info i can get is off the internet. i seriously doubt any tv channels will broadcast anything about this race. well, we do have on tv show that is 30 minutes long...

True, I think it might be the first year we've had anything on over here actually. I'm pretty that sure last year that on BBC Northern Ireland there were updates on every night but that wasn't shown over here at all. Would be fantastic if someone would do programs for each day though.

I would love to go over and watch the racing at some point in the next few years, but as you'd expect, it's hugely expensive during TT week.

lol, funny you should mention expenses...i sign up every year at the same place (well, for the past 4 years anywho) to win a free trip to the IOMTT. never won.

but it is wayy toooo expensive to fly across the atlantic, i would absolutey love to just even tour the circuit, ive seen it on tv numerous times. maybe one day ill splurge and take the family with me, so i can have a pit crew...:whistle:

Sounds like the ideal family holiday. ;) If you were going to visit any other week of the year it would cost a fraction of what it would during TT week. Well, excluding the flight.

Off the top of my head I don't know the prices, but I know that the company that has a total monopoly on boats across from the mainland charges a huge amount more during TT week. I heard someone say it worked out cheaper to put 2 bikes in the back of a van than just to take the 2 bikes on the ferry. :lol:

it wouldnt surprise me. its all about the benjamins...this is the kind of thing that kills me, "hmm, lets rape these dude for all the cash they have, so they cant race and i can buy that 'insert magic item' tomorrow..." they obviously have no enthusiasm for racing, or motorcycles.

if it were me, id offer a dicsount for those wanting to go see and participate in the race...but that just me...

on the down side, i think i read there have been 2 deaths, and 4 serious injuries so far. two sidecar incidences, and two bike crashes. i cant seem to find the link now, but if i do, i'll post it up.

Yeah, I saw this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/5030400.stm) linked from the BBC one you posted earlier. Horrible way to get the week started, here's hoping that the injured riders heal up okay.

On a nicer note, I found a site which has some vids (http://www.bikegen.com/) from the past few days. :D

thanks...man, if you race sidecars man...you really have to have a lot of faith in you rider/passenger...one small mistake by either of them and, well, take a guess. im sure it wont be pretty. these dudes balls have to be the size of church bells.

Agreed on the sidecars. I'd quite like to have a go at a (cautious :lol:) lap round the circuit by bike, but the sidecar outfits are just mental.

From Honda:

John McGuinness heads the entry for the 99th annual running of the Isle of Man TT races and having already warmed up with a high speed lap of the demanding 37.73 mile Mountain Course during practice, the Lancastrian is brimming with confidence.

The winner of eight races on this unique public roads course, that takes the action on a round trip of the picturesque Island, starting and finishing in Douglas, and charging through towns and village, open countryside and then high over Snaefell Mountain, McGuinness has factory backed HM Plant Honda machines as he bids for glory in all four solo races.

On three wheels, local favourite Dave Molyneux, a record eleven times sidecar race winner, passengered by Craig Hallam, also has the benefit of Honda power as he bids for another winning double in the two events for the ‘chairs’, on Monday and Wednesday, that are a vital part of the TT tradition.

The racing programme begins with the TT Superbike race, decided over six laps, on Saturday, with McGuinness firmly focussed on achieving an ‘action-replay’ of his success of last year, in both that and the ‘blue-riband’ Senior race the following Friday.
He has already lapped the course at an average speed of 125mph during his preparations, and is feeling confident: “I’ve won the previous three big races here, and have the top package to race with and with Honda I am feeling relaxed and ready to race.

“I know that I have a target on my back for the others, and it is good to see more young riders challenging, but I am not feeling any stress. Everything is shaping up to be very good,” added McGuinness who holds the outright record, with a lap of 127.68mph, though he admits speed is not everything.

“The important thing is to be smooth and consistent, get going and enjoy, riding within your limits, keeping safety margins that do not push you over the edge. The event is just so different, totally unique.”

Ian Lougher, seven times a winner, could pose problems for McGuinness. He is riding a similar Honda CBR1000, but in the colour of British Superbike team Stobart Motorsport, as he bids for his first ‘big-bike’ win on the Island. “For some reason, success in these races has always eluded me for one reason or another, but this year I feel I have the ammunition to go out there and win,” he said after consistently fast lapping, at an average of 123mph, in early practice.

Cameron Donald and Martin Finnegan adds to the Honda challenge, but they are all well aware of the threat posed by Guy Martin, keen to taste maiden TT glory, and looking strong on the AIM Racing Yamaha R1, while New Zealander Bruce Anstey, riding the TAS Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Ian Hutchinson, aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R cannot be ruled out.

Lougher, who admits: “I’ve always been referred to as a small-bike rider” expects to add to his collection of victories with a repeat of last year’s triumph in the Junior race for Supersport 600 machines. He will be riding a Honda CBR 600R, in Blackhorse Finance colours, in Wednesday’s four lap race, as he duels with McGuinness, aboard the official Honda CBR 600R entered machine, with both Guy, riding Yamaha, Hutchinson aboard the McAdoo Kawasaki and Jason Griffiths on a Yamaha certain to be on the pace.

Griffiths, eleven times a podium finisher on the Island, but so far still chasing that elusive first TT victory, could achieve that ambition in Monday’s four lap Superstock race – he has adopted the Island as his home and is keen to impress the locals aboard the Yamaha R1, and has topped 123mph in practice already. Martin is hot on the charge, but McGuinness is running with them aboard his Fireblade.

“I have a chance to match the record of four wins a week held by Philip McCallen – that would really be something special,” said McGuinness, but nothing comes easy in this event, with top riders including Anstey, riding Suzuki, and Kawasaki’s Hutchinson equally hungry for glory.

The sidecar races are expected to fall to Molyneux. Last year he took his eleventh win in style, trimming an astonishing 30 seconds off his own lap record and already he is lapping at almost 115mph, but with Manx duo Nick Crowe and Darren Hope expected to push him hard – ironically, they are riding a sidecar outfit built and prepared by Molyneux.

For World champion Klaus Klaffenbock and Christian Parzer are back for more aboard their LCR Honda, but the real test for Molyneux and Crowe is expected to be provided by Gary Bryan/Colin Hardman and Phil Dongworth/Stuart Castles aboard Yamaha powered machines.

The timetable for TT Race Week is:

Saturday 3rd June
13:00 TT Superbike Race (6 laps)

Monday 5th June
10:45 TT Superstock Race (4 laps)
13:15 Sidecar TT Race A (3 laps)

Wednesday 7th June
10:45 Supersport Junior TT Race (4 laps)
13:15 Sidecar TT Race B (3 laps)

Friday 9th June
10:45 Senior TT Race (6 laps)
14:00 Lap of Honour and Classic Parade

mcguinness takes victory, and race record (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/5044596.stm)

I stumbled on a program on Saturday evening on the UK channel 'Men & Motors'. Aside from the crappy presenting (although that Louise Brady's not bad... :shifty:) and some pointless interviews with people who weren't even taking part in the TT it was excellent - lots of footage from the Superbike race.

McGuinness was just in another league really, a win well deserved. Rough luck for Anstey and Martin retiring though. Lap record from a standing start. :eek:

There's another program on tomorrow for the superstock race. :D