2017 Isle of Man TT Photo Gallery Day 3

So far for the 2017 Isle of Man TT, the weather has been the big story. The TT has had its slowest start in years with riders only being able to get in a few laps on Monday and in the rain-shorten Wednesday session.

Gary Thompson the Clerk of Course has made significant changes to the schedule through Tuesday June 6, with further changes possible. Thursday evening Gary commented that although the 2016 weather was exceptionally good, 1,500 fewer laps have been ridden so far in 2017. Riders generally need a minimum of 5 or 6 practice laps to be ready to race, with typically 3 laps for the sidecars.

Saturday has been rescheduled from having both race and practice sessions to being fully dedicated to practice with all classes about to get out for at least one session.

Sunday typically an off day will have the Superbike race at 2:00 followed by sidecar and TT Zero (electric) practice. In addition, both Monday and Tuesday have both racing and practice schedule.

Hutchinson was first to leave the line at 6.23pm alongside Peter Hickman on the Smiths Racing Superstock BMW. Gary Johnson and James Hillier, Steve Mercer and Lee Johnston and Dan Kneen and Michael Dunlop quickly followed the opening pair down Glencrutchery Road.

Sidecar teams were also able to get in a few practice laps.

Some of the TT Zero machines opted for an early look at the track at the end of the evening and the Mugen pair of Anstey (109.520) and Martin (108.413) were the quickest.