Positions 2 through to 5 at this very early stage of TT fortnight 2000 read;

2nd ...Jim Moodie / Fireblade ... 19min 8 sec (117.32mph)

3rd...Joey Dunlop / Fireblade ... 19min 22.4 sec (116.85mph)

...there seems to be some problem with the timekeeping on the Island, as Iain Duffus is also placed in fourth position, while Jim Moodie also holds fourth position in addition to second !!

Obviously some sorting out to be done there, but the times thus far are well short of Moodies outright lap record around the Island of 124.45mph - set during the ‘99 Senior event.

The fastest Yamaha at this stage in Formula 1 practice appears to be Ian Lougher’s R1, at 19min 39.1sec (115.221mph).

David Jeffries seems on target to keep Yamaha’s hopes alive in the Junior TT however, being posted as the fastest qualifier in that class aboard his V & M Yamaha R6.

Jeffries managed a fastest time of 19min 15.9sec (117.51mph).

Nonetheless, the Hondas are right there, with that man Duffus in second with a lap of 19min 19.8sec (117.11mph).

Third in the 600s, er Juniors, at this point is Moodie with a 19min 21.5sec (116.94mph).

The other big bikes that went out last night Isle Of Man time, were the Proddies.

Michael Rutter, who we tipped to be a major player at this year’s TT, played his cards right on the V & M production R1 Yamaha to head up the practice leader board with a lap of 19min 14.2sec (117.68mph).

David Jeffries on another R1 Yamaha wasn’t too far behind Rutter, posting a 19min 17.4sec lap (117.36mph).

And so to the smaller bike classes, where once again, there seems to be confusion in the results that are coming out of the Island.

Still, at this stage it appears that Ian Lougher on his Manton RS 250 Honda is the early Lightweight 250cc GP pace setter with a 19min 45.9sec lap (114.54mph).

John McGuinness on a Demon Vimto Honda RS 250 recorded a 19min 58.6sec (113.32mph).

The 400cc Lightweight division is headed up by Brian Gardner on a ZXR 400 Kawasaki, with a 21min 34.0sec (104.97mph).

As for the 125s, otherwise known as the Ultra Lightweights, Honda mounted Chris Faulkner could be the man to upset the form guide, after posting a 21min 13.3sec (106.67mph) ahead of Robert Dunlop’s Crossan Honda on 21min 21.2sec (106.02mph).

Robert’s brother and the greatest TT rider of all time, Joey, grabbed third in the 125s with a 21 min 42.9sec (104.25mph).

It’s going to be a busy time for us here at mcnews.com.au during TT fortnight, but we’ll try to keep you up to date with events on the Island as the occur.

Check back tomorrow afternoon for more reports.