With five riders competing in a total of eleven races, practice time was always going to be at a premium and whilst the Paul Bird squad were hoping to have more time to set up the bikes, they remain optimistic of success around the 37.73 mile mountain circuit.

Ballymoney rider Joey Dunlop heads the times with a lap at 120.10mph that he set aboard the VTR SP1 on Tuesday evening. Whilst nowhere near the 124mph lap record, it falls into perspective when you consider he did the lap from a standing start and was running a treaded front tyre (to try to alleviate the handling problems).

The 23 times TT winner is now a lot happier with the set up of the machine and especially with the works engine that Honda have shipped in for the event, and is hopeful of adding to his tally of wins.

"We tried a different profile tyre and it seems to handle a lot better now. The engine is great and there's more to come from us yet" said the 48 year old Irishman.

Regular teamster John McGuinness has also experienced handling problems on the Superbike but like Dunlop feels the problem can be sorted in time for the Formula One race tomorrow (Saturday). The 26 year old Morecambe rider has set fast times on both the Chrysalis AMDM Single (108.61mph) and his usual 250 (116.81mph) and is looking forward to the races.

"The Single feels fine and I think I can do well on it. I'm happy with the 250 and feeling very confident on that also. We just need to work on the Superbike and try a couple of tweaks but we haven't had chance because of all the practice that has been cancelled" said McGuinness who starts four races next week.

Burton in Lonsdale rider Kate Parkinson is gradually getting up to speed on the 250cc machine despite a two year absence from the TT races, and very little racing at all over the past year.

The fastest lady on a 250 around the course, 27 year old Kate is hoping to improve on her best ever lap at just over 111mph which came back in 1997.

"This is the best bike I've ever ridden and it's frustrating not being able to practice as much as I'd have liked. If it's dry for the race I think I can go a lot faster" said Kate.

Two times TT winner, Paul Williams - in his first race since last year's TT - has had a traumatic time on the Island trying to set up his 125 and 250cc mounts during practice.

The 30 year old New Zealander crashed the 125 in damp conditions on Monday and on his own admission, is finding the two strokes a different proposition from his usual Supersport 400cc Honda.

"They are so much harder to ride than the 400cc bike. We're getting there slowly but the last thing I needed was practice to be cancelled. Still, we'll go out and give it our best shot" said Paul.

Manxman Richard 'Milky' Quayle is having a better time aboard the Demon Vimto machines, run by the Martin Bullock racing team.

The former Manx GP winner lapped at over 118mph on the Production Fireblade as well as putting a 114mph lap in on the 250 and is feeling confident of success in the races.

Like most people, Team Owner Paul Bird was frustrated with the weather on the Island.

"It's not an ideal situation by any means but we have plans in place because it was forecast. All I'm hoping for now are dry races and hopefully, we can do the business" said Bird from Penrith.