The opening practice session of the 2017 Manx Grand Prix, saw three of the Isle of Man’s fastest rising roads stars set the Lightweight, Junior and Senior pace.
Piloting the proven Cowton Racing ER6 Kawasaki, Jamie Williams got his second Manx GP off to a perfect start, lapping at 110.683 mph to head the Lightweight time sheets.
Dundrod 150 National podium finisher Jonathan Perry (110.671) was just a whisker behind the Manxman, whilst Spain’s Victor Lopez Santos (110.593) also showed impressive early practice week form.
Andy Farrell (109.241) and the highly rated Australian Royce Rowe (108.668) where also on the pace as was event stalwart Andy Fenton (107.576).
Standout newcomers from last years Manx GP, Paul Smyth Racing’s Brendan Fargher (114.236) and Martin Bullock Manxsport’s Michael Evans (114.518) topped the Junior and Senior classes respectively.
Nearest challengers to the talented Manx duo were Stockton On Tees based Tom Robinson (113.988) and Chris Preston Racing’s Glenn Harrison (113.828).
Others to impress included Darren Cooper (111.896), 2015 Newcomers A winner Peter Wilkinson (111.881), Rhys Hardisty (111.724), Adrian Hartog (111.283), Paul “Potchy” Williams (110.591) and event returnee Stephen Smith (108.870).
Looking back on the 2017 Manx GP newcomers first laps of the Mountain Course, some had differing fortunes to others.
Six event debutants Ramon Basomba, Steve Tobin, Derek Wilson, Lief Williams, David McConnachy and Fabrice Faivre where all ok following incidents respectively at Governors Bridge, Westwood, Union Mills and Mayhill.
Those who enjoyed a more productive practice session included rising Oliver’s Mount stars Brad Vicars and Mike Norbury, holder of the number 1 plate in the Newcomers A race Dan Beighton and America’s Adam Bauer.
2017 Manx Grand Prix – Saturday evening practice results, are as follows:
Lightweight:
1 Jamie Williams 110.683
2 Jonathan Perry 110.671
3 Victor Lopez Santos 110.593
4 Andy Farrell 109.241
5 Royce Rowe 108.668
6 Andy Fenton 107.576
7 Darren Cooper 107.455
8 Nick Jefferies 106.678
9 Paul Williams 106.663
10 Peter Wilkinson 106.292
11 Gary Vines 106.059
12 Dave Butler 105.406
13 James Chawke 105.229
14 Marc Ironside 104.918
15 Stephen Nathan 104.771
16 Rob Whittall 104.404
17 Matt Mylchreest 104.072
18 Rad Hughes 102.584
19 Scott Miller 101.797
20 Richard Saville 101.615
Junior:
1 Brendan Fargher 114.236
2 Tom Robinson 113.988
3 Glenn Harrison 113.828
4 Jamie Williams 113.046
5 Dean Osborne 112.670
6 Royce Rowe 112.170
7 Darren Cooper 111.896
8 Peter Wilkinson 111.881
9 Rhys Hardisty 111.724
10 Adrian Hartog 111.283
11 Jonathan Perry 110.953
12 Phil McGurk 110.951
13 Paul Williams 110.591
14 Matt Mylchreest 110.271
15 Stuart Hall 110.252
16 Allan Brodie 109.770
17 Victor Lopez Santos 109.439
18 Jason Brewster 109.108
19 Stephen Smith 108.870
20 Wayne Humble 108.817
Senior:
1 Michael Evans 114.518
2 Brendan Fargher 114.236
3 Tom Robinson 113.988
4 Glenn Harrison 113.828
5 Jamie Williams 113.046
6 Dean Osborne 112.670
7 Royce Rowe 112.170
8 Darren Cooper 111.896
9 Peter Wilkinson 111.881
10 Rhys Hardisty 111.724
11 Adrian Hartog 111.283
12 Jonathan Perry 110.953
13 Phil McGurk 110.951
14 Paul Williams 110.591
15 Matt Mylchreest 110.271
16 Stuart Hall 110.252
17 Allan Brodie 109.770
18 Victor Lopez Santos 109.439
19 Jason Brewster 109.108
20 Damian Horan 109.006
Words by Stevie Rial