TT 2008 is officially underway.

Saturday night's first practice session – an untimed session - saw the majority of riders get in a full three laps, with the majority of sidecar crews completing two laps.

The honour of leading the line fell to newcomers Jamie Robinson and James Hillier.

Absolute lap record holder John McGuinness, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, Bruce Anstey, Adrian Archibald, Ian Hutchinson and Steve Plater were among the big names on the circuit.

Among the sidecar crews were reigning world champions Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance who had just flown in from Donnington Park where they qualified in second for the opening round of this year’s championship – and Reeves was certainly impressed (audio file attached):