A TYPICAL PRACTICE WEEK ON THE ISLE OF MAN

see you on the boat at Liverpool

see you up at the Grandstand

see you at bushys on the prom

So we have now established that T.T. Practice sessions start early in the morning before most people are even turning over for their second sleep !

It is therefore still dark as the first groups start arriving at the Grandstand area and drive into the Paddock area...to begin unloading bikes, to collect official credentials, to sign on and to get the last vestiges of sleep out of heavy eyes....There is a feeling, a thrill, as the first waves of warm dawn air brush ones cheeks.

The lights come on in the various offices in the Grandstand complex and scrutineers bays, and bikes and riders begin arriving to be examined and cleared for practicing...

Nervous laughs are heard in the distance as a joke is appreciated.

Hot coffee is now obtainable from the TT Supporters Club tent and a small queue forms. The smell of cooking bacon is now on the air and this emanates from what used to be called "Sheila's Kitchen" just below the Grandstand..

(NOW OPERATED BY THE NOBLES PARK CAFE)

The Press Centre opens and representatives of all media formats, from literally all over the world, sign on, pick up their press-packs and try to digest the information over a welcome cuppasoup from the press office machine.

One minute it is pitch black and then a series of colours appear in the East. Ranging from deep purple to red, from orange to light green and then to the deepest blue, the dawn comes in over Douglas Bay. It never ceases to amaze and each morning the sequence is the same.......

Suddenly, the first machines fire up and the bird population wakes with a cacophony of calls. Riders and officials are now preparing for the off, and while most of us have been up since 4.30 am., the start area officials keep everyone under control as bikes are brought on to the Glencrutchery Road to line up in no particular order.

The engines are revved very carefully to get the oils and fluids flowing round their systems. Tyre pressures are checked and helmet visors are cleaned carefully. It is now coming up to the time when the first riders will be released and the noise of engines drowns everything. It is difficult to converse and most contact is made via hand signals or by lip reading. The timekeepers box is the centre of attention until the green light comes on and then the first riders speed off down the road towards the top of Bray Hill.

This green light flashes at set intervals and so allows more machines to set out on their 37.73 mile lap..

All of the riders have now set out and silence is again golden as the last of the oil smoke blows away.. The machines just away, can still be heard right down to Quarter Bridge where they turn Westward.

Mechanics, family and fans can now relax for a while so they grab yet another coffee, light another cigarette......

It seems only a few minutes since the last rider departed to when we hear the first machine way up the road coming down from the Nook to Governors... The first to return is usually one of the works supported machines....Some bikes scream through the Start to go for a second lap while others come in to swap machines and helmet. Each rider reports his findings on tyres, machine set-up and general assessments. Notes are taken and stop watches consulted to compare and contrast the privateers and works teams...

The second lap passes very much like the first and a third lap is often underway before the sidecars set out.

SO THAT IS MORE THAN 100 MILES BEFORE BREAKFAST

Most riders put in at least two laps and then repack their bikes in their vans and return to hotel, house or camping site to have a shower and go back to bed.

At 9 am I have been up already for four and a half hours...

AND THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE