MCGUINNESS CLOSES IN ON OUTRIGHT LAP RECORD AT TT 2007
Plater shows his mettle with record newcomer practice lap
The leading contenders for Saturday’s Superbike race continue to
make their mark in the Bennetts TT practice sessions as records tumbled
in near perfect conditions. A packed grandstand was bathed in sunshine
as blistering times were posted on the track.
John McGuinness dominated the session and confirmed that he will
again be the man to beat in Saturday’s Superbike race. His second lap
of 129.084 was confirmed as a record practice lap time and he was only
fractionally outside his outright lap record of 129.45mph set at last
year’s Senior TT.
After a fifteen minute hold up at the beginning of the session,
caused by road traffic accidents outside the course, Adrian Archibald
and Michael Rutter were first off but it was Ian Hutchinson who served
notice that he was coming into form with a 127.48mph lap, the fastest
first lap. However, John McGuinness then replied with his sensational
practice lap record. Guy Martin served notice that McGuinness wouldn’t
have things all his own way with a fastest lap of 128.166 while Ian
Lougher and Martin Finnegan also featured in the top five times of the
night.
Michael Rutter on the Isilon MSS Discovery Kawasaki had clutch
problems on his first lap but his team rallied round and he was able to
finish the session in a credible seventh with a time of 125.003.
Bruce Anstey continues to dominate the Superstock and Supersport
classes with the fastest time in both classes on the night. His
125.120mph in the Superstock’s saw him finish ahead of John McGuinness
(124.295mph) and he also finished top of the pile in the Supersport
class with a 122.619mph, which put him ahead of the impressive Guy
Martin (122.229mph).
In the sidecars Dave Molyneux was finally able to put his problems
behind him and he got valuable track time with a couple of quick laps
including 111.874mph on his second lap but he was again forced to play
second fiddle to the week’s leading pair Nick Crowe/Dan Sayle who
clocked the night’s fastest time – 114.125mph.
James Coward was reported to have lower leg fractures after an accident at Crookshanks.
A total of 250 machines went through scrutineering. 1 Senior, 75 Superbikes, 33 Superstock, 74 Supersport and 67 Sidecars.
Friday’s practice will begin at 6.15pm
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