IoM TT Report
After a successful outing during Wednesday’s practice session, Keith Amor is looking forward to making further improvements ahead of the first race of the 2010 Isle of Man TT on Saturday.
The Scot has been making steady progress and recorded his best times on the HM Plant Honda Superbike and WA Corless/Jackson Racing BMW Superstock machines yesterday evening.
During Monday’s first timed practice, Amor decided, having been drafted in last minute to replace the injured Steve Plater, to concentrate on the HM Plant Superbike, putting in three laps to get used the new machine and team, while also re-acquainting himself with the Mountain Course. His best lap on the evening was 122.787mph, while he also had his first TT lap on the BMW, at a steady 121.610mph.
On Tuesday evening, where conditions were good despite some damp patches, the HM Plant team made some further adjustments to the Superbike before Amor and recorded a lap of 124mph from a standing start. Second time around he improved that to 126.043mph.
It was then straight onto the Supersport bike and his first time out this week on the Kojak Racing Honda, a best lap of 122.649mph seeing him go second fastest.
On Wednesday evening, in the best weather of the week so far, Amor made good use of the conditions, putting in three laps on the Superbike and two on the Superstock.
More changes to the suspension of the HM Plant Honda had been made and although he was able to go quicker at 127.925mph, they didn’t work as he had hoped and further changes are in store for Thursday’s penultimate practice session.
The BMW was flying and two laps in excess of 127mph, the best at 127.525mph, saw him go second quickest overall.
Keith Amor says: "I took it really steady on Monday evening to get used to the circuit again and I learnt my lesson a couple of years ago – the first night of practice is all about enjoying yourself, not breaking lap records."
"I also had a new team and bike to get used to, but it was just nice to be back out on my favourite circuit and have a big smile back on my face! I’ve had no serious issues so far with the big bike and have just been trying to get it as rider friendly as possible."
"The more confident I can be with the bike, the faster I’ll be and although tonight (Wednesday) was my best lap of the week, we’d gone the wrong way with the suspension – what worked for my team-mate John (McGuinness) didn’t work for me – so we’ll try something new again tomorrow night."
He added: "My own boys have been working hard on the 600 and Stocker and the Supersport is already in the ball park, we just have a few refinements to make – compared to the big bike, it’s just a joy to ride around here."
"We’ve also got support from BMW Germany for the TT with Marc Bongers over to help us out with the Superstock bike. He’s been working with the BMW team from day one so knows the bike inside out and his help is going to be invaluable. Tonight was a good lap on the Stocker and there’s plenty more to come from it so all’s well there too."
"The course is in good condition and the Isle of Man Government have done a great job in improving it to make our lives a lot easier so, all in all, it’s so far, so good."
The next practice session is schedule for this evening, with the first machines due to leave the TT Grandstand in Douglas at 6.20pm
