Junior riders were first on the track, led away by Michael Sweeney and the Republic of Ireland racer, last year’s Junior Manx Grand Prix winner, was first back to the Grandstand. Hebden Bridge rider Jamie Coward set the pace on the opening lap with a time of 114.1mph, which he improved to 114.971mph on lap 2 from Dan Sayle (113.553mph) and Sweeney (113.32mph).

Fastest so far in the Classic Superbike, Mark Buckley, riding Kevin Pearson's Suzuki
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In the Senior class, Andrew Brady, riding for Martin Bullock Manxsport, was quickest with 113.859mph from Andrew Farrell (112.057mph) and 2010 MGP Newcomer B winner Jonny Heginbotham (111.678mph), while Billy Smith was fastest Lightweight at 106.453mph.

The Newcomers went out at the back of the first session. Stuart Osborne, who was originally reported as having not completed the speed controlled lap the previous evening, had in fact completed the lap so was able to go out with the group, while Bobby McMullen, the last remaining newcomer required to complete a lap having stopped at Union Mills the previous evening, duly achieved his lap at the back of the session, following Travelling Marshal Stephen Oates.

Wayne Hamilton, well known on the Irish racing scene, posted the fastest Newcomers time of the evening with 110.663mph to establish himself as an early favourite for Saturday’s race. Birkenhead’s Scott Smyth was the fastest Newcomer B on the night (98.907mph).

Highly impressive riding from Newcomers' pace setter Wayne Hamilton, seen here at the Gutherie Memorial
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In the SuperTwin extra spice was added to the session with today’s news that the class will feature in the 2012 TT Races for the first time. Joe Phillips posted the fastest time of the night (107.444mph), from Dave Moffitt (106.839mph) and Rab Davie (106.686mph).

Thursday's session, scheduled to start at 6.20pm, will see the Senior, Junior, SuperTwin and Newcomers A Group out first, with the Classic, Classic Superbike, Junior Post Classic, Lightweight and Newcomers B due out at 7.05pm.

Click here for link to photo gallery of tonight's practice session....
Courtesy of Dave Kneen manxphotosonline.com

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PRACTICE TIMES

Click links below for practice times for each class

Newcomers A

Newcomers B

Lightweight

Super Twin

Junior

Senior

Classic Superbike

Junior Post Classic

Classic 250 /350

Classic 500

Formula Classic