IOM - May 29 Report

V & M Yamaha's David Jeffries last night scorched a blazing trail around the Isle Of Man TT public roads circuit to record a practice lap just 0.02mph slower than Jim Moodie's outright lap record of 124.45mph (set during last year's Senior event) Jeffries' 124.43mph lap saw him around the course in 18min 11.6sec to top the F1 practice leader board. Jeffries also put in a 123mph lap, with Jason Griffiths on the Cowles 1000cc Yamaha, recording a 120.65mph (18min 45.8sec) lap.

Ian Lougher, also 1000cc Yamaha mounted, pulled a 120.03mph (18min 51.6sec) out of the bag, while the first of the Honda Britain Fireblade men, Jim Moodie, could 'only' manage a best lap of 119.43mph (18min 57.3sec). It may still be early days, but it seems clear that this year's big races on the Island are going to see an intense Yamaha Vs Honda battle. No doubt there'll be plenty of pschying out during this practice week and both Yamaha and Honda have now dominated a practice session each !

We're not too sure of what the weather conditions were like on the Island last night, although Monday morning's practice was held in reasonably clear but damp weather. The conditions certainly must have cleared for Jeffries to have un-corked a blistering 124mph lap in the evening. But get this - Jeffries also stormed around the Island in Production qualifying last night to top that session with a lap of 120.09mph (18min 51.1sec). Not bad going indeed for a stock R1 Yamaha ...

The sole Aussie rider at TT 2000, Adam Donovan, managed to qualify mid-field with a 109.43mph (20min 41.2sec) lap on his production RSV 1000 Mille Aprillia. Up and coming Ballymoney (Northern Ireland town) rider, Adrian Archibald, topped out the Junior practice meanwhile on his 600cc Dowd Honda, with a 120.54mph (18min 46.8sec) lap.

It was a close run affair though, with that man Jeffries on his V & M 600cc Yamaha clocking a 120.51mph (18min 47.1sec) lap. Joey Dunlop on a Harris Honda managed to lap at 118.03mph (19min 10.8sec). Jim Moodie and Ian Duffus on the Honda Britain 600s were in the 117mph bracket.

In the smaller classes, Jason Griffiths on his DTR TZ 250cc Yamaha headed up the Lightweight practice session with a lap of 117.90mph (19min 12.1sec). Bruce Anstey on another DTR Yamaha clocked a 115.20 (19min 39.1sec), with Neil Richardson (Yamaha), John McGuinness (Demon Vimto Honda) and Dennis McCullough (Lunney Honda) all in the 113mph department.

Joey Dunlop's brother, Robert, topped out the Ultra Lightweights, with a 107.44mph (21min 04.2sec) lap. Gary Dynes and Chris Grose (both Honda) recorded 105mph laps, while Gary Dynes and Ian Lougher (more Hondas) managed 103mph laps. And finally the sidecars - with John Holden / Rod Pearce lapping at 109.52mph (20min 40.2sec) on their 600cc F2 spec' Molyneux Yamaha.