By Warm, moist, scattered showers, potent breezes, the weather was as changeable as the course conditions throughout day one of the 80th Oliver’s Mount Racing Anniversary, Visit North Yorkshire Gold Cup.
After practice sessions held in gradually improving conditions, qualifying action got going with the first group of HMH Civils Supersport participants, which did not last long, following a multi racer incident at Jefferies Jumps.
Mikey Browne, the reigning Steve Henshaw Gold Cup Champion ended fastest, closely followed by Tom Weeden and Dean Harrison.
Honda Racing UK’s Harrison would finish fastest from a shortened second SSP qualifying tilt, curtailed thanks to the good old weather lords, setting the first unofficial lap time of the meeting inside 1 minute 50 seconds (1.49.763), enough to give him overall middleweight category qualifying laurels.
Weeden (Club 77 – Triumph), who went onto to capture pole for tomorrow’s Classic Superbike encounters, was second quickest again, just 0.337 in arrears to this year’s Superbike and Senior TT winner Harrison.
Manx GP history maker Johnny Stewart, back astride his trusty Kawasaki-steed, finished third fastest with Q1 leader Browne fourth speediest.
Fifth, sixth swiftest were Peter Hickman and team-mate, making a striking competition comeback, Davey Todd.
The 2024 Senior TT winner has most certainly not lost any of his turn of speed, core talent, core roads scene craft.
Galashiels ace Stewart was also near the forefront of Friday’s Super Twins circulations, taking second on the combined qualifying times sheet behind TH Racing’s Joey Thompson.
Lead Paton equipped rider, Q1 pace setter Rob Hodson placed third rapidest with Ryan Dixon (TH Racing), afore-mentioned fourteen times TT victor Hickman (Swan Racing/PHR Performance Triumph), Stephen Gorton (Leigh MOTs) fourth to sixth quickest.
We have got to mention additionally last-minute entrant, Scarborough newcomer Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing) exploits, finishing an impressive eighth fastest.
Kieran Clarke/Rob Coppock bested the Ramsdens Steve and Matty for Sidecars qualifying success whilst Two-Strokes, 400cc, 125/Moto 3, CB 500, Supermoto poles were netted respectively by Junior Manx GP runner-up Dan Sayle, Dan Frear, Chris Meyer, Steven Allan and Oliver’s Mount Racing Director Andy Hayes.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
