Guy Martin excluded from Classic TT races
Guy Martin will miss the inaugural Classic TT races on the Isle of Man after failing to meet the signing-on deadline for the event on Wednesday.
The road racing superstar arrived on the Isle of Man yesterday but has been excluded from competing on the Mountain Course, where the opening event of the 2013 festival takes place with the 500cc race tomorrow.
Martin had been due to ride for Team Molnar Manx Norton in the 500cc race.
"There's been a lot of trouble with the prototype Manx Norton. It wouldn't run properly until tonight (Thursday)," he said.
"I arrived over this morning (Thursday) and the organisers wouldn't let me practice - so there was no option other than to head back home. Bugger!"
Martin took the Ulster Grand Prix by storm last weekend at Dundrod, winning three races for the Tyco Suzuki team, including both Superbike events.
His absence from the Classic TT line-up will come as a massive blow to his countless fans attending the event this weekend.
Last night, the Manx Grand Prix practice session was red-flagged at around 7.50pm following four separate incidents on the course at Ballahutchin, Kerrowmoar, Ramsey Hairpin and the Bungalow.
Scott Campbell, Ross Richards and Stuart Hall were involved in the incident at Ballahutchin on the approach to Ballagarey with Richards and Hall airlifted to Nobles Hospital. Scott Campbell was reported as unhurt.
John Leigh Pemberton came off his machine at Ramsey Hairpin and was taken to Nobles while Gavin Lupton (Bungalow) and Neil Gregory (Kerrowmoar) were both reported as OK.
None of the riders involved suffered serious injuries.
Earlier, John McGuinness experienced more problems with Roger Winfield's 500 Paton, retiring at Quarterbridge. He also missed Wednesday's session with a suspected electrical fault.
Olie Linsdell (Paton) continues to shine in the 500cc class as he posted another 110mph lap, while Bruce Anstey set his best speed of the week on the McIntosh Racing/Mobil 1 Norton at 107.927mph.
Aussie Cameron Donald also clocked his best time so far on the Ripley Land Racing Matchless at 106.040mph.
In the Formula 1 class Steve Mercer (Yamaha Classic Racing Team) achieved his fastest time this week at 117.556mph, while Dean Harrison continued his good form in the Formula Classic Class, lapping at 106.758mph.
Harrison's time was the fastest in the Formula Classic class so far, with Gavin Lupton (100.906mph) the only other rider to break the 100mph barrier.
Michael Dunlop has set the fastest time of the week so far, lapping at almost 123mph on Wednesday on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69.
Practice continues tonight with the Classic TT, Lightweight and Newcomers B and C riders out first at 6.20pm.
