By High-speed competition, distinct noises, racing aficionados in abundance returned today to England’s only current road race circuit, Oliver’s Mount.
Following the morning practice sessions, timed qualifying stints took centre stage in the afternoon at a wind-swept Scarborough.
Fastest two strokes speedster at this year’s Manx Grand Prix, Jim Hind and his potent TZ 250 Yamaha steed proved the combination to beat in Lightweight qualifying.
Hind’s Q2 times sheet topping time of 1 minute 55 seconds exactly, placed him 2.317 clear of top pursuer, Armoy lap record holder Davey Todd.
Living up to his pre-event favourite billing, Milenco by Padgetts Todd went onto stylishly bank pole position for tomorrow’s eight lap Supersport races.
The second 15-minute Supersport qualifying session saw Todd, post his ninth, final timed lap, register a new unofficial PB Scarborough lap time of 1.46.926 seconds.
1.359 seconds in arrears to Todd was Tobermore’s Adam McLean whilst third quickest, Lightweight pace setter Hind was the final racer to go sub 1.50 seconds.
Others showing a swift turn of speed included rapid newcomer, Manxman Joe Yeardsley, finishing a very creditable sixth fastest overall.
In terms of the always competitive, entertaining Super Twins class, the fight for qualifying victory was captivating, enthralling.
Mid way through second qualifying, aforementioned Scarborough returnee McLean, competing under the KMR Kawasaki banner this weekend, lapped below the 1.53 second mark, to nudge Dafabet Racing’s Rob Hodson off provisional pole position.
Recent Classic Superbike Manx GP winner Hodson, wasn’t giving up and soon lapped at 1.52.713 seconds.
This left him just 0.007 of a second why of McLean’s best time, which ultimately proved enough to finish quickest Twins exponent.
Sidecars wise, Mount maestro Lee Crawford, joined this weekend in the Team A.R.C outfit by Jake Lowther, got the better of 12 times TT winners Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall for overall three wheeling qualifying success.
Crawford/Lowther although absent from Q2, pace during Q1, lapping at 1.54.394 seconds, wasn’t matched by the Birchall’s, who’s best time stood at 1.55.611 seconds.
Friday’s qualifying action concluded with triple Irish roads Superbike Champion Derek Sheils, vaulting to Classic Superbike pole position.
The Republic of Ireland’s fastest Oliver’s Mount exponent, lapped at 1 minute 50.626 seconds, finishing just over 1.1 seconds quicker than Greenall Racing team-mate Rob Hodson.
Third to sixth quickest were 19 plate holder Dave Bell, John Dieterman, Barry Furber and Keith Pringle.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
