Classic TT: Michael Dunlop tops first full practice session

Author: Oli Rushby Posted: 27 Aug 2015

This year’s Classic TT riders enjoyed their first full qualifying session this evening as the Mountain Course bathed in sunlight, a stark contrast to the weather conditions that saw the last three days practice either cancelled or cut short.

The F1/F2 and 500cc classes were first out and it was Michael Dunlop who led the way on his Team Classic Suzuki. He blasted to a lap of 122.96mph from a standing start, which ended up being the fastest lap of the night and the first 120+mph lap of the festival.

He wasn’t alone in the 122 club though, with Ryan Farquhar setting a lap of 122.134mph aboard the Team Winfield Harris Yamaha.

The next nine riders all lapped in excess of 117mph, finally getting the chance to put their F1 machines properly through their paces. The top ten includes names like James Hillier, Ivan Lintin and David Johnson.

Bruce Anstey’s chance of posting a fast lap was curtailed as the stunning Padgetts YZR500  broke down at Sulby on the second lap.

Bennetts-backed John McGuinness set the fastest 500cc time with a sub 21 minute lap (110.634mph), with the Morecambe Missile looking to add a Classic TT victory to his impressive mountain course CV.

Pocket-sized Northern Irishman Lee Johnston was fastest in the 350cc class aboard the Black Eagle MV Agusta with a lap of 102.321mph.

Tomorrow’s session sees the 500’s out first at 18.20 with the F1 and F2 machines due to go out at 19.25 and the riders will be hoping for another clear session ahead of Saturday’s first race, the Bennetts 500cc. 

Formula 1

1. Michael Dunlop – Team Classic Suzuki – 122.964mph
2. Ryan Farquhar – Winfield Harris Yamaha – 122.134mph
3. James Hillier – Greenall Racing Kawasaki – 118.569mph
4. Ivan Lintin – Steelcote Solutions Kawasaki – 118.563mph
5. David Johnson – Team York Suzuki – 117.817mph
6. Russ Mountford – Silcone Engeineering Kawasaki – 117.461mph
7. Peter Hickman – Mistral Racing Kawasaki – 117.246mph
8. Dean Harrison – Steelcote Solutions Kawasaki – 117.267mph
9. Dan Kneen – Padgetts Motorcycles Yamaha – 117.139mph
10. Mark Miller – Yamaha Classic Racing Team – 117.109mph

500cc 

1. John McGuinness – Team Winfield Paton – 110.634mph
2. Michael Rutter – Seeley/Ripley Land Racing – 106.364mph
3. Dean Harrison – Black Eagle MV Agusta – 105.751mph
4. Jamie Coward – Craven Honda – 105.445mph
5. Alan Oversby – Davies Motorsport – 104.613mph
6. Chris Swallow – Norton – 103.419mph
7. William Dunlop – Davies Motorsport – 103.374mph
8. Ian Lougher – Flitwick Motorcycles Paton – 102.396mph
9. Lee Johnston – Black Eagle MV Agusta – 102.321mph
10. Danny Webb – Team Molnar Manx – 101.802mph

350cc

1. Lee Johnston – Black Eagle MC Agusta – 102.321mph
2. Alan Oversby – Davies Motorsport – 98.283mph
3. Jamie Coward – Craven Honda – 97.311mph
4. Danny Webb – Molnar Manx – 96.791mph
5. Keith Amor – Tony Dunnell /RigDeluge Manx – 96.042mph
6. Chris Swallow – Mike Fawcett – 94.900mph
7. Doug Snow – John Snow Ducati – 94.583mph
8. Nigel Moore – Andy Mitchell Honda – 93.059mph
9. Bill Swallow – AJS – 92.058mph
10. Meredydd Owen – Owen Racing – 91.718mph

 or !