From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

TT-Formula One Race Isle of Man TT Festival
May 31, 2003.

Ian Lougher and Honda VTR1000SP2 second in TT-F1 race

The opening day of the annual Isle of Man TT racing festival produced maiden victories first for Ulstersman Adrian Archibald in the demanding six lap Formula One race and then for Bedlington sidecar crew Ian Bell and Neil Carpenter.

For Archibald it was an emotional time, with tears of joy and sorrow as he finished the low cloud and fog delayed six lapper some 75 seconds clear of Ian Lougher, riding last year’s World Superbike Championship winning Honda SP2.

His victory came at the end of a traumatic time for him and the TAS Suzuki team. They had agonised on whether or not to race following the horrific accident at Crosby during Thursday’s practice session that cost the life of team-mate, the nine times race winner and outright lap record holder David Jefferies.

Archibald immediately dedicated his success to the memory of the Yorkshireman.

Lougher had been in contention early on, as John McGuinness, riding Ducati led, averaging 125mph over the opening two laps, but Archibald on the charge had overtaken the Welshman, moving into second place to the Lancastrian at the first round of pit-stops.

That was a turning point in the race, with Archibald exiting quicker, and from then on holding the upper hand, with consistently fast lapping, and a second slick pit-stop as he extended his lead to half a minute.

McGuinness made an unscheduled stop after the fifth lap, anxious after losing fourth gear, but rejoining the race, adrift of Lougher, but holding on to third, just, from Jason Griffiths.

Archibald, a hugely popular race winner, was mobbed as he returned to the paddock by his team, unashamedly tearful at his poignant triumph: “After all of the problems of the week, this is obviously very good ­ I just wanted to win this one for David and his family. I was very nervous to begin with ­ it took me a few laps to settle in, but then I got away.”

Lougher, six times a winner on the Island, for once was content to settle for second best: “I’m happy with that, after a hard practice week but feel we are getting a good set-up, and hopefully we can do a more bit more work on the bike’s suspension before the Senior race which hopefully I can win. This is a brilliant bike and I’d like to thank Honda for giving me that chance to race it.”

Bell and Carpenter romped to maiden Sidecar TT glory in the evening sun, leading throughout a race of attrition which saw a number of crews pull in with machine problems.

They were in control as early as Glen Helen on the opening lap, with Honda entry Dave Molyneux already struggling, giving the ‘thumbs down’ to the crowd, as he signalled the beginning of the problems that were to cost him dearly, and the Manxman who had topped the practice leaderboard pulled out at Ramsey bus station on the first lap.

Bell powered relentlessly on heading off the challenges coming in from Jurby duo Nick Crowe and Darren Hope who were racing for only the second time on the Island, and clocking impressive times as they a comfortable second place ahead of Steve Norbury and Andrew Smith.

They had inherited that position when Gary Horspole and Kevin Leigh ground to a halt at Laurel Bank and held on to it despite the stern efforts of Andrew Laidlaw and Patrick Farrance.

Results: TT Formula One race (six laps)
1 Adrian Archibald, Suzuki 1hr 31m 58.9s, 123.05 mph

2 Ian Lougher Honda, 1:33:13.6

3 John McGuinness Ducati, 1:33:21.7

4 Jason Griffiths Yamaha, 1:34:21.1

5 Richard Britton Suzuki, 1:34:28.6

6 Ryan Farquhar Suzuki, 1:34:34.8

7 Shaun Harris Suzuki, 1:35:10.1

8 Gordon Blackley Suzuki 1:35:11.1

9 Chris Heath, Suzuki, 1:36:10.7

10 Paul Hunt, Suzuki, 1:36:12.2

Results ­ Sidecar race ­ three laps
1 Ian Bell/Neil Carpenter, DMR Yamaha 1 01 39.0

2 Nick Crowe//Darren Hope, Ireson 1:02:30.6

3 Steve Norbury/Andrew Smith, Shelbourne Yamaha 1:02:54.3

4 Andrew Laidlow/Patrick Farrance, Baker Yamaha 1:03:13.8

5 Tony Baker/Mark Hegarty, Baker Yamaha 1:04:12.3

6 Allan Schofield/Mark Cox, Jacobs 1:04:13.6

7 Geoff Bell/Jake Beckworth, Bell Yamaha, 1:04:21.2

8 John Holden/ Colin Hardman, Yamaha, 1:04:55.5

9 Mick Harvey/ Stephen Taylor, Shelbourne, 1:05:04.2

10 Andy Brown/John Dowling, Ireson Yamaha, 1:05:25.9