RACING was abandoned for the day at 2pm when the Supersport Race 2 was red flagged due to the weather after one of the top riders crashed at Union Mills on the second lap.
Keith Amor came off his 600 Honda when the back of his bike broke away on the right hander outside the Railway Inn in Union Mills on a damp patch when a shower of rain hit the course on the second lap.
Amor is reported to have escaped without injury, but only minutes later the race was red flagged and at 2pm the decision was made by race officials to abandon racing for the day.
The race began under controversial circumstances when Amor was amongst a number of the top riders who held an impromptu meeting just minutes before the delayed start.
Bruce Anstey, John McGuinness, Guy Martin and Keith Amor told Radio TT that they thought the race should be delayed, in the hope that the course would dry out further. With slick tyres, the riders were comfortable on dry roads, but they warned that there would be problems on damp patches, chiefly under trees such as through Glen Helen and Sulby.
Amor said before the race, “I don’t want to take any more gambles than I need to. You could be doing 140mph round a corner and hit a damp patch and that’s it, it could be over.” Mark Parrett also crashed and sustained an ankle injury.
McGuinness said before the start, “If it’s dry I’ll give it a go. If it’s wet I’m not interested.” However, he decided to start, and no one pulled out, although they all felt the four laps would not be completed in the unpredictable showery weather.
McGuinness said afterwards, “I was really cautious through the damp bits. Going into Union Mills I could see spray coming off the tyres off two of the back runners. It was no surprise to hear that Keith came off. I don’t know how Guy stayed on; he was really hanging on and the wheel went over his legs.
“I think I’d rather wipe my backside with a broken bottle than do that again.”
Dan Kneen said the red flag was the right decision. “I had a few slides here and there but you couldn’t tell what was coming under the trees. It was proper rain on the mountain, really chucking it down. You can’t race in those conditions.”
Guy Martin said after the two laps, “The race shouldn’t have gone. The clouds were black as hell, you could see it was coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the lads goes over and gives the clerk of the course a thick ear.”
Another top runner, Cameron Donald, said, “I pushed as hard as I thought was safe. I tipped into Union Mills and lost the back - it’s as big a moment as I’ve ever got away with, that’s for sure. After the red flag I looked back at John McGuinness and he was just shaking his head.
“Keith Amor was coming behind me and I’m not surprised he came off. We were both very, very lucky. It was definitely the right decision to stop the race.”
As riders gathered in the pit lane, with everyone wondering what was going to happen with a possible re-start, an announcement came over the Grandstand sound system, prompting silence from thousands waiting for information.
“Attention, attention,” said the announcement, “a pair of spectacles has been found in the pit lane!”
It was greeted with ironic laughter, which was no doubt reflected around the world as bike fans tuned in on radio and the internet. The moment summed up what some people were describing as a “farcical” day.
Seconds later it was announced that racing would be abandoned for the day. The race has been rescheduled for a 12.15pm start tomorrow (Thursday).
all photos: Bill Dale www.isleofmanphotos.com
