2012 Isle of Man TT: Motorcycle racing heats up under mixed weather conditions at the TT

Kiwi rider Bruce Anstey during the Monster Energy Supersports Race One

The 2012 Isle of Man TT fueled by Monster Energy races have been witnessing some harsh weather conditions and heavy showers on Tuesday night have resulted in the Wednesday race program being reschedule. Previously scheduled to begin from 10.00 am with the one-lap duration SES TT Zero Race for electric motorcycles, the day will now commence from 14.45 hours with the second race of the Monster Energy Supersport class.

The first race of the Supersport class was won by the island veteran Bruce Anstey of Padgetts Honda team, who was quick to capitalise on the retirement of early leader, Michael Dunlop. From there on, Anstey had a close battle with Cameron Donald and Gary Johnson, eventually the Kiwi rider taking home his ninth TT win. The Supersport Race 2 today will once again witness the top pack consisting of 19-times TT winner John McGuinness, 8-times TT winner Ian Hutchinson, race one winner Bruce Anstey the ever-popular Guy Martin, TT veteran Ryan Farquhar, Cameron Donald and Gary Johnson from a total of 65 riders in the class.

Michael Rutter astride the Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz during the SES TT Zero qualifying

Following the 2012 Monster Energy Supersport Race will be the 2012 SES TT Zero electric motorcycle race at 16.30 hours. In its fourth year, the one-lap electric motorcycle race has witnessed immense development in a rather short span with big names putting in their entries and looking a lot better shaped for the greenest motorcycle race. Leading the electric onslaught during qualifying has been US-based Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz with their pilots 2011 winner Michael Rutter and 2010 winner Mark Miller aiming to take the honours for being the first ever electric motorcycle team to record 100mph (160km/h) lap average at the iconic mountain road.

Claiming the top two positions respectively, Rutter and Miller both showed incredible pace during qualifying with Rutter recording a time of 102.50 mph (164km/h) lap average and a recorded top-speed of 153mph (246.2km/h). Going by the Oregon-based team's performance it would be safe to assume that the 100mph barrier looks all set to be broken this year at the 2012 SES TT Zero. Challenging MotoCzysz's efforts will be a new yet a potent competitor, Shinden Mugen fro Japan piloted by none other than 19-times TT winner, John McGuinness. The Shinden Mugen EV race machine first turned a wheel at the Suzuka circuit in Japan and then at Cadwell Park in UK, just ahead of the 2012 TT. McGuinness recorded a splendid qualifying lap time of 96.953 mph (156.0km/h) with a lot of talk in the paddock about the Mugen team not having unleashed its full potential and keeping the power on their EV )electric vehicle) race-machine reserved for race-day.

John McGuinness's Shinden Mugen electric race machine in the paddock

Indian outfit Tork Haiyin, had tough luck in qualifying with the battery on their electric motorcycle running out of juice in the final section of the circuit. However from the onboard footage of the session, the Tork Haiyin bike is capable of reaching speeds upwards of 140mph (225km/h) and can definitely aim for a top five finish at the mountain course. Although the 2009 podium finishing Indian team will face stiff challenge from Kingston University team who's electric entry recorded an average lap of 99.5mph (160km/h) around the circuit before the machine ran out of power just 800 metres from the finish line.

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Tork Haiyin India Team hard at work in the paddock

While the second outing of the 2012 Monster Energy Supersport race is certain to be one tightly fought battle amongst the TT veterans and new young blood, the 2012 SES TT Zero race too has too offer some exciting moments in its rather short one-lap duration with most eyes glued on the face-off between Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz's Michael Rutter and Shinden Mugen's John McGuinness. The third and final race of the day will be the Sure Sidecar Race 2 at 18.15 hours, which most certainly will witness a strong tussle with Sure Sidecar Race one winners Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance facing stiff competition from Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle, who failed to finish race one due to technical issues.

Set to start in just a few more hours, the 2012 Isle of Man TT fueled by Monster Energy is buzzing with excitement and energy and despite the heavy downpour and soggy conditions the fans of the sport remain undeterred and have turned up in hordes to watch their favourite road-racers challenge grit and determination at the world's most dangerous motorcycle race, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy!