Wednesday's race action at the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy was brought to an abrupt end when the second Monster Energy Supersport race was red flagged due to rain around the Mountain Course. Having already been postponed from 10.45am until 12.40pm, when the race did get underway, riders were warned of damp patches all around the course.
When they reached the first checkpoint at Glen Helen it was, perhaps unsurprisingly, Michael Dunlop who led, his lead over Gary Johnson one second with brother William a further second back. John McGuinness, number one on the road, was clearly riding cautiously as he found himself back in tenth. By Ramsey, Michael's lead was now at 1.35s with William now up to second although Johnson wasn't showing on the timing screens, a transponder issue causing his absence. Cameron Donald was given as third with Martin, Dan Kneen and Anstey rounding out the top six.
The patchy conditions could be seen in the times at the end of lap one with Dunlop's speed of 123.996mph a bit down from what we have been accustomed to whilst Johnson pulled in to retire, an electrical problem causing his East Coast Racing Honda to continually cut out. William was still only 1.9s adrift but the gaps behind were widening with Donald 7s back in third, Martin 8s beyond that in fourth and Kneen 5s behind in sixth.
Donald, Martin, McGuinness and Amor were circulating in line astern but the front two had major moments in the damp at Union Mills and although McGuinness was able to react, Amor went down as they went over the bridge and the Scot was fortunate to escape unhurt.
By Glen Helen on lap 2, it was drizzling and Michael had extended his lead to 5 seconds whilst Kneenwas now up to third, albeit 27s behind. Martin, Donald and McGuinness had all eased their pace and it wasn't much longer before the red flag came out, persistent rain now falling at various parts around the course. With the riders escorted back to the pits by the travelling marshals, racing for the day was ultimately abandoned and rescheduled for Thursday.
Earlier in the day stars of MotoGP and BSB took to the track for an Arai parade lap, under the expert guidance of five time 2010 TT Champion Ian Hutchinson. Australian legend Mick Doohan, who won five consecutive 500cc World Championships in the late nineties, 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Cal Crutchlow, currently riding high in MotoGP ahead of this weekend’s Silverstone Race and Australian BSB rider Josh Brooks followed in the Bingley man’s tyre tracks.
Talking about the experience Mick Doohan later said that it one of his greatest experiences on a Motorcycle, while Nicky Hayden revealed his respect for the riders who tackle the TT Mountain course.
The Revised Race Schedule for tomorrow – Thursday 9th June - will now be:
12.15 Monster Energy Supersport 2 (4 laps)
14.15 Sure Sidecar TT Race 2 (3 laps)
15.50 Senior practice
16.30 Subaru demonstration lap
17.15 SES TT Zero
