2016 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Practice, Monday Results, May 30
Under dry conditions, the first Superbike and Superstock qualifying practices got underway Monday at the 37.73-mile Mountain Course for this year’s Isle of Man TT.
Newly signed Tyco BMW pilot Ian Hutchinson – an 11-time TT winner – wasted no time familiarizing himself with the S1000RR. The Brit “Hutchy” was quickest with a fastest lap of 129.964 mph, finishing just ahead of fellow BMW rider and also 11-time TT winner Michael Dunlop (Hawk Racing BMW).
Together, the BMW duo held the tip-five fastest laps on the opening day of IOM TT practice for Superbike machines; Hutchinson had the first and fifth quickest laps, and the Northern Irishman Dunlop second through fourth.
Next up was Honda Racing CBR1000RR SP pilot John McGuinness, the 23-time TT winner who posted a 128.871 mph fastest lap to earn third quickest. McQuinness is three TT wins shy of the record held by the late Joey Dunlop. The “Morecambe Missile” McGuinness was followed by teammate Conor Cummins, who posted a 127.241 mph to earn fourth.
Though the BMW and Honda liter bikes impressed, much focus was on the rider who finished fifth overall – Bruce Anstey. The local began the session on his Valvoline Racing/Padgetts Honda CBR1000RR SP Fireblade, but after a single sighting lap, switched to the RC213V-S Honda MotoGP replica. Anstey, a 10-time TT winner, earned fifth aboard the agile RC213V-S with a lap of 127.071 mph.
Rounding out the top 10 fastest times Monday in the Superbike class were Bathams SMT Racing BMW’s Michael Rutter (127.031mph); Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s James Hiller (125.404); Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison (125.404); IC Racing Yamaha’s William Dunlop (125.182); and RTR Kawasaki’s Daniel Hegarty (124.104mph).
As for the American Mark Miller, who is piloted the #32 Splitlath EBR in the IOM TT, he finished Monday qualifying 43rd, with a speed of 117.945.
In the Superstock class, which also had its first sessions Monday, Harrison topped the class with a 128.044. He was followed by Michael Dunlop (126.726), GBmoto Racing Kawasaki’s Peter Hickman (125.725), McGuinness (125.574), Jackson Racing Honda’s Steve Mercer (124.881) and RTR Kawasaki’s Daniel Hegarty (124.104).
Due to having the opening Supersport practice/qualifying sessions on Saturday, many riders didn’t ride their 600cc machines on Monday. But once again, the man who led Saturday, Kawasaki’s Harrison, was quickest in Supersport, posting a 124. 461 mph in the only lap he took around the Mountain Course.
Harrison was followed by East Coast Construction Triumph’s Lee Johnston (122.241), who completed his first laps after breaking down on Saturday, with 122.067mph and Jackson Racing Honda’sMercer (122.067).
Meanwhile, the newcomers were also increasing their speeds steadily, Jochem van den Hoek lapping at 108.85mph, Alessandro Polita 108.831mph, Forrest Dunn 106.464mph and Mike Booth 105.135mph, the Isle of Man TT reports.
Karl Foster was reported to have sustained ankle and wrist injuries in an accident at the 32nd milestone and was air lifted to Nobles Hospital.
Practice for the 2016 Isle of Man TT continues Tuesday, beginning at 4:20 p.m. local time.
For more, visit the Ultimate MotorCycling Isle of Man TT page.
Photos by Wayne Freestone
2016 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Photo Gallery, Monday May 30
