2016 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Results, Friday, June 3
In the opening six days of practice and qualifying for the 2016 Isle of Man TT Superbike class, the BMW S1000RR simply dominated. A BMW had achieved the fastest average lap in Superbike around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, but it was the fastest lap in Superstock Friday that got all the press.
Yes – the quickest average lap time so far in the 2016 TT was set in the Superstock class by 11-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson on the Tyco BMW S1000RR. The speed? How about 132.803mph, which is 0.102mph faster than the outright official lap record set by 23-time TT winner John McGuinness during last year’s PokerStars Senior TT (132.701mph, CBR1000RR SP Fireblade).
Qualifying second during Superstock was yet another BMW – the MD Racing BMW piloted by 11-time TT victor Michael Dunlop, who posted a quickest average lap of 131.879mph. Dunlop also was the first to break 132mph during Thursday’s IOM TT qualifying. The third fastest rider in Superstock was Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison with a 128.947mph.
In the Superbike class, the outright lap record was also broken, this time by Dunlop on the Hawk Racing BMW S1000RR; the Northern Irishman, and nephew of record TT winner Joey Dunlop (26), posted an average lap of 132.754mph – 0.053mph of a second quicker than McGuinness’ official outright lap record.
There was no surprise about who earned second – Hutchinson claimed runner up with a 131.521mph. The Brit was followed by Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison (129.996mph); Bathams SMT Racing BMW’s Michael Rutter (129.613mph); and Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins (129.499mph).
As for the outright lap record holder, McGuinness earned sixth overall in Superbike with a 129.206mph, and another sixth in Superstock with a 128.092mph.
As for the American Mark Miller, the Splitlath EBR pilot was 26th in Superbike (123.885mph) and 45th in Superstock (118.868mph).
IOM TT reports that Jochem van den Hoek was again the fastest newcomer, improving his speed to an impressive 121.06mph. Seamus Elliott and Alessandro Polita were also quick, posting 118.75 and 117.95 lap times respectively. Michael Booth also improved considerably, with his best lap being 116.65mph.
Saturday is set for a thrilling RST Superbike TT, the first race of the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fueled by Monster Energy; the RST Superbike TT gets underway at 11 a.m. local time.
For American fans, Velocity will provide same-day TT TV highlights beginning at 11 p.m. EST Saturday. Isle of Man TT fans can also follow the action via live timing and live Manx Radio commentary at iomtt.com.
For more, visit Ultimate MotorCycling’s Isle of Man TT page.
Photos by Wayne Freestone
2016 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Results, Friday June 3 | Photo Gallery
