Team Suzuki Press Office - May 25.
Australian Josh Brookes will take the first tentative steps in his hugely-anticipated Isle of Man TT career during the opening controlled speed practice session tonight at 6.20pm.
The Tyco Suzuki rider will then get the opportunity to ride both GSX-R1000 machines in Superbike and Superstock trim in the session that follows later in the evening.
Brookes made his pure road racing debut last week at the International North West 200, and despite wet weather and the cancellation of main race day, the talented 30-year-old finished seventh in the Superstock race with the third fastest lap. He also qualified fourth on the Superbike grid but sadly didn't get to race after the event was abandoned due to horrendous weather conditions.
Said Brookes: "I just can't wait to get started. I've completed loads of laps of the course but it's nice to see it in full race trim now. The butterflies are there which shows me the first signs of any emotion. I'm just looking forward to getting on the bike now and putting all the pre-event hype and speculation behind me."
Guy Martin will be in action for the first time on Monday when practice will take place for all classes, again from 6.20pm. Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita will also join the Tyco Suzuki camp for the 2013 TT Festival riding a GSX-R600 Supersport machine.
Team Manager Philip Neill said: "The TT always seems so far away then it's right there on top of you. Josh has created a lot of hype since the announcement that we would run him at this year's TT. I nearly missed the newcomers' session at the North West as I forgot we had a newcomer in the programme, but what a great job he did in the conditions. We all know what sort of racing pedigree that Josh possesses but the TT is a different animal to anything else he will tackle this season. He has prepared well and it's just a matter of taking it step-by-step and not cutting any corners. I think we will all have butterflies at 6.20pm tonight - but a bit of emotion is a good thing. It shows you are prepared and respectful, but we are all looking forward to it."
TT PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 25:
18.20-18.45 - Solo Newcomers' speed controlled lap
18.35-19.00 - Sidecar Newcomers' speed controlled lap
18.50-19.50 - Lightweight TT/Newcomers (all solo classes)
19.55-20.50 - Sidecar
Monday, May 27:
18.20-19.55 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (except Lightweight)
20.00-20.50 - Sidecar
Tuesday, May 28:
18.20-19.05 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (except Lightweight)
19.10-19.55 - Supersport/Lightweight/Newcomers (all solo classes)
20.00-20.50 - Sidecar
Wednesday, May 29:
18.20-19.55 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (except Lightweight)
20.00-20.50 - Sidecar
Thursday, May 30
18.20-19.10 - Sidecar
19.15-19.55 - Supersport/Lightweight/Newcomers (all solo classes)
20.00-20.50 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (except Lightweight)
Friday, May 31:
18.20-19.10 - Sidecar
19.15-19.50 - Supersport/Lightweight/Newcomers (all solo classes)
19.55-20.25 - Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (except Lightweight)
20.30-20.50 - TT Zero
The opening race of the 2013 Isle of Man TT Festival is the six-lap Dainese Superbike TT and will take place on Saturday June1st at 11am. Guy Martin will start number 4 and at present Josh Brookes is scheduled to start at 25.
