Six of the nine teams participating in the 2011 TT Zero electric bike race, part of the Isle of Man TT Races, grabbed the opportunity for some early practices on the famous mountain course.
First away from the startline on Glencrutchery Road was experienced electric campaigner George Spence riding for Kingston University, one of the leading contenders for the £5,000 University Prize.
Ramsey based Allan Brew was next on the starting grid, riding for TT Zero newcomers MIT. The prestigious American University are expected to challenge Kingston and all eyes were on their debut effort.
Another newcomer, the Japanese outfit Team Prozza from Tokyo were also making their electric bike debut with Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita and he tucked in behind Michael Rutter, who was riding the second Motoczysz bike with last year’s winner Mark Miller not going out for this session.
Rutter was first to Glen Helen in 6.25 followed by Matsushita (06.39) Spence (7.16.87) and Allan Brew (7.34.95). Rutter increased his average lap speed to 95.752mph by Ballaugh with the remaining three machines out on the course all keeping pace at over 80mph.
The Sulby Speed trap threw up some interesting times with Rutter (142.8) easily topping the board and demonstrating the potential of the 2011 E1PC. Spence (96.1), Brew (91.2) and Matsushita (90.1) all also clocked impressive speeds through Sulby.
The Motoczysz outfit continued its impressive performance over the mountain section of the course, a true test for the electric machines and he eventually brought the Motoczysz machine home in 24.23.99 (92.779), outside Mark Miller’s TT Zero winning time in 2010 but enough to suggest that the Californian won’t have Wednesday’s race all his own way. Spence (81.823), Brew (75.702) and Matsushita (66.113) all got the important qualifying lap under their belts.
