The 2005 MGP kicked off last night with the first practice night. Unfortunately, and typically, things didn't start too well as the bikes were delayed for over an hour before eventually leaving the Grandstand 65 mins late, at 7.20.Firstly, a grain truck had spilled most of its load near to the Wildlife Park, and then a house fire in Kirk Michael delayed proceedings even further due to its proximity to the course. When it eventually Ballagarey corner in Geln Vine. The fire was only accessible by the closed road and a fire appliance was summoned from Douglas.First out on the course, a usual, were the newcomers on their untimed marshal-guided lap. Number 9 Stu Bainborough from Castletown led the field, closely followed by numbers 8 and 7 respecively (Dennis Booth and Tim Maher.) Only when they reached Kirk Michael were the Senior and Junior bikes were released, to prevent the newcomers being caught. With the session now limited to one lap due to the delay, many riders took the oppurtunity to re-acquaint themselves with the course. Fastest in the Junior was Alan Jackson (4) at 113 mph and Seamus Greene (10) was quickest of the Senior runners, lapping at 110 mph. Full practice times as yet haven't been released - it seems as though it will be Monday before the MGP actually starts properly - as there was no Manx Radio commentary last night eitherLast out were the Classic and Ultra-Lightweight bikes at about 7.55. Chris Palmer (5) and Bud Jackson (32) were amongst the front runners on their Senior 500 machines. Palmer raced Fred Walmsley's Norton at the Pre-TT Classic event in May and is expected to go well at the MGP. Many of the usual suspects were out on their senior bikes - indeed there were relatively few Junior Classic machines - and Richard Britton (8) also went out for his first ever Classic-mounted lap of the course, aboard the Brian Richards Norton. Although there are no times yet, when they are released it's likely that Alan Oversby (1), John Goodall (6), Wattie Brown (4) and Andy Russell (15) will be amongst the top few.Last year's Junior race winner (and now local resident) Chris McGahan (1) was flying on the 346 Hales Drixton Honda. Also looking quick in the Juniors were Mark Parrett (16) (another TT Rider trying his hand at the classics, and travelling Parrett-fashion as only he can!) and Bob Millinship (12) who finished 6th last year.Next practice is scheduled for tomorrow evening, Monday, with the Classics and Ultra Lightweights first away at 6.15.