It's here - TT 2014 will blast off this afternoon and this evening.

Roads around the TT Course will close at 6pm but earlier on the Mountain Road - the section from Barrule Park to the Bungalow will shut from 4.45pm and from the Bungalow to the Creg-Ny-Baa at 5pm.

The opening session will be untimed and will feature firstly the newcomers who will embark on their first lap of the Mountain Course - it will be an escorted speed-controlled circuit led by experienced competitors.

Before then there is another practice session and the first two races at the Blackfords Pre T.T. Classic meeting at Billown.

Roads around the Billown Circuit will close at 12.15pm for further practice sessions ahead of the main race day on Monday.

There are two races - the Singles and the first sidecar.

The main focus will be on Bill Swallow to see if he can take his 16th victory and move ahead of Bob Heath at the top of the all-time winners at the meeting.

And look out for the oldest competitor - Ted Fenwick's bike will sport the number 86 which is also his age!

Roads will reopen at Billown no later than 4.15pm.

Later at the Grandstand, after all the research, nervous newcomers will leave the line and plunge down Bray Hill on closed roads for the first time.