IoM TT Qualifying

In our last report we mentioned that the IoM TT qualifying is held in the evening. So what does the IoM TT visiter do all day while waiting for the racing to start. The main port of call is the paddock. Unlike most other paddocks in the world the TT paddock is more than just a vehicle storage and maintenance area.

It’s a retail, dining and festival village that is built up a few weeks before the TT starts on Nobel Park. Located in the Isle of Man capital Douglas it has public transport links, motorcycle and car parking. All controlled by an army of fluorescent security staff who will guide you to the correct spot. 

Strolling round the paddock you will be able to watch the teams prepare the machines for the next race. The riders will be around as well and are more than happy to chat, pose for a selfie and sign autographs. Just keep in the back of your mind you won’t be the first one to ask for a picture that day. 

IoM TT qualifying

With last nights the practice session over it was time to move onto the IoM TT qualifying. Three sessions were planned with the big guns coming out first. Superbikes and Superstock, the bikes can look very similar, so a colouring system is used for the numbers. Black on white is Superbikes, red is Superstock blue is Supersport. In a reversal of the previous practice session the Sidecar would be out last.

As with the pervious evening practice it is down the teams to decide what machine to ride. One fast lap might be enough on the stock bike if it is set up well. Where as a temperamental Superbike might need a few laps to get it dialled in. As long as you set a qualifying time on your machine you can start the TT.

Cronk-Y-Voddy 

Our location for the evening was Cronk-Y-Voddy. This is a set of farmers fields next to the road. A mobile catering van is all you get here, which to be fair is more than you get at most locations at the TT.

With all of the spectator viewing areas at the IoM, once you have picked your spot you will have to stay until the end of the session. You might end up sharing the hedge with a celebrate racer, John McPhee joined us for a while.

There are a few spots where you can move to a different location but as soon as the roads close that’s it. What this means for the spectators photographer is that you are quite limited on the pictures you can take. There are a few variations on the shot you can see here but not much else. Just go with it, tomorrow you can pick somewhere else to build your IoM TT photographic portfolio.

Results

Dean Harrison #3 set the pace on his 2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SC82 with a hot lap of 133.069mph. Peter Hickman on a BMW was very close to taking the top spot with 8TEN team mate Davey Todd in third. 

Davey Todd #8 headed the Superstock with a lap of 131.231mph with Harrison in second and Michael Dunlop on the BMW in third.

IoM TT Superbike Qualifying.

Position	Rider	Bike	Lap
1	Dean Harrison	Honda	133.069mph
2	Peter Hickman	BMW	131.076mph
3	Davey Todd	BMW	130.402mph
4	Michael Dunlop	BMW	129.975mph
5	Nathan Harrison	Honda	128.825mph
6	Shaun Anderson	Suzuki	128.14mph
7	John McGuinness	Honda	128.031mph
8	Rob Hodson	Honda	127.491mph
9	David Johnson	Kawasaki	127.238mph
10	Josh Brookes	Honda	126.886

IoM TT Results Sidecars

Last years sidecar champions #1 Ryan Crowe and Callum Crowe lead the sidecars with a 118.80 mph lap. #2 Peter Founds / Jevan Walmsley were second with #4 LEE Crawford / Scott Hardie third.

You can find out more about PistonClick at the IoM TT here.

Thanks to RPW Photography for the images included in this report. All of the 2025 IoM TT Reports can be found below.