THE Mountain Course will close at 5pm on Saturday as practice gets under way for the 2012 Manx Grand Prix.
The early start is designed to enable newcomers to properly acquaint themselves with the course prior to mingling in with the rest of the classes. Residents are reminded that all vehicles must be removed from the course by this time.
A speed-controlled lap for newcomers is scheduled to get away at 5.20pm, followed at 5.45 by Senior, Junior and Supertwin machines. All the Classic classes, plus Lightweight and Newcomers will then form up the grid for the final part of the elongated session at 7pm. All classes will be untimed for this practice only.
The practice format for next week will then follow a slightly different format, with roads closing each evening at 6pm with the intention that bikes will be on the course from 6.20 until no later than 9pm.
Monday’s session will be led away by Senior, Junior and Supertwin machines, followed at 7.05pm by the Classics, Lightweight and Newcomers.
Practising will continue throughout the week (Monday to Friday) at the same time.
On the middle Saturday, August 25, roads will again close early at 5pm for the opening race. The three-lap Newcomers’ event will commence at 5.30 and will be followed by the final full practice session for the remaining classes from 7.30.
Roads will close on the remaining race days at 9.30am and the schedule is as follows:
Monday, August 27: 10.15am - 350cc/250cc Classic Grand Prix; 1.15pm - Junior Manx Grand Prix.
Wednesday, August 29: 10.15am - 500cc Classic Grand Prix/Formula Classic; 1.15pm - Supertwin/Lightweight Manx Grand Prix.
Friday, August 31: 10.15am – Classic Superbike/Junior Post Classic; 1.15pm – Senior Manx Grand Prix (all four laps, 150.92 miles).