McGuiness sets pace at Isle of Man

From the Isle of Man TT

A dry, sunny evening met the competitors for Tuesday evening’s qualifying session and, apart from a stiff a breeze, conditions were almost perfect for the second night of the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

After a 10-minute delay, the riders were out at 6:30pm and Michael Dunlop and Guy Martin who, as on Monday, were the first to leave the line, Martin on the Superbike and Dunlop on the Supersport machine. Cameron Donald and Gary Johnson were the next pairing to go, swiftly followed by Ryan Farquhar, Bruce Anstey, Keith Amor and Dan Stewart. All were Superbike mounted as was Adrian Archibald, out for the first time on a brand new ZX-10R Kawasaki. Fifteen-time race winner John McGuinness was in the eighth pairing away.

Johnson was the first man back at 127.71mph just ahead of Martin at 126.325mph, followed by Donald at 125.05 and Anstey at 126.24. Amor and Stewart were slightly slower at 125.9mph and 125.8mph while McGuinness moved up to second quickest on 126.975mph.

Meanwhile, Dunlop was the fastest 600 with a lap of 123.59mph followed by James Hillier on 118.415mph and Luis Carreira on 118.402. Conor Cummins was also improving steadily, breaking the 120mph at 120.203mph. McGuinness clocked the quickest time through the Sulby speed trap at 190.6mph

Johnson pulled in and switched to his 600 with Donald doing likewise to the Superstock bike but many of the other riders went straight through, keen to get two early laps in on the Superbike. Martin increased his speed to 128.261mph but McGuinness followed him in at 129.041mph. Dunlop increased his 600cc lap speed to 125.464mph with both Hillier and Carreira in the 119mph bracket but Davy Morgan stopped at the Mountain Box, Conor Cummins at Greeba Castle and Michael Rutter at Quarter Bridge although the latter was able to proceed.

Donald briefly went quickest in the Superstock class with a lap of 124.447mph as McGuinness reported track conditions to be good except for a slightly dusty road at Ramsey. His only concern was leathers that were too tight but he was soon back out on the circuit, this time on his Padgetts Superstock Honda.

Michael Dunlop then topped the Superstock class with a lap at 126.26mph while Johnson went quickest through the speed trap at 192.3mph. Rutter’s adjustments also paid dividends as he put in a lap of 124.143mph but Farquhar was out at Kerromoar.

Most of the main contenders were able to complete five laps during the session with Donald putting in a late flyer of 128.08mph on his Superbike.

To listen live to Radio TT’s commentary for all qualifying and Races and follow live timing at the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races go to www.iomtt.com.