The ferry arrives from Britain into the harbour at Douglas stuffed full of bikes and accoutrement ready for the impending TT race. Geoff Duke is there to meet an whole host of international riders, journalists and personalities as their racing bikes are taken to get them ready for the race. First practice is at 4.45am, and there's still a little fog as the riders set off - Bill Durham, Les Graham get away ok before some less enthusiastic models need more of an helping hand/jog to coax them into life. Bob Foster is on an Italian designed speedster and the brief coverage of this session begins in earnest featuring bikes taking some fairly tight corners whilst their mechanics do some tinkering afterwards. They have to stop at 6.15 so ordinary folks can get to work on the pubic roads so they've loads of time now to ruminate in the busy cocoa tent whilst they mix with the great and the good - and all before the first bacon sarnie of the day! A sporting rivalry between the UK and Italy on their Benelli and Guzzi machines is shaping up nicely and practice opportunities are keenly sought before there's time for an evening beer. When we do get into the race proper, I thought the coverage delivered rather well as the bikes race through these tiny hamlets ridden by Bell, Daniell, Duke and Bridge. There's loads of buzzing audio as these men must navigate bends like the "Goose Neck" on their 500cc kit. There's also some coverage of the 250cc race too, but mainly it focusses on the bigger engined race as they can reach speeds in excess of 125 mph. Artie Friend, Harold Daniell, Ted Keppell, Bob Foster, Geoff Duke, Les Graham, Johnny Lockett all averaging over 90 mph over the first lap and the editing and pace of commentary starts to build some excitement to please the rather static crowds. The photogenic Duke now does a lap averaging 93mph - a new course record. The language is sometime quite amusing, too - not often you hear "that's darned queer" nowadays. Well not about bikes, anyway. The score now starts to take a more prominent role as we head to the climax of this race, and it's going to be a close finish.
