Classic TT: Lap Speeds Rocket Up As Anstey Sparkles On YZR 500

With the best weather conditions of practice week to date, it’s no wonder that this evening’s Classic TT practice session would see lap speeds rocket up, as Padgetts Bruce Anstey sparkled on the exotic YZR 500 Yamaha.

Finishing quickest tonight via lap speed of 124.888 mph, the 12 times TT winner is showing ominous form ahead of Monday’s four lap Motorsport Merchandise Superbike race.

Fellow roads ‘Alien’ Silicone Engineering Racing’s Dean Harrison (123.288) is steadily beginning to find the sweet spot with his ZXR 750 Kawasaki mount, same applies to the Team York Suzuki duo of David Johnson (121.863) and Gary Johnson (121.732).

Photo by Mark Corlett

Backing up his big bike heroics, Bruce Anstey re asserted his Lightweight 250 authority lapping at 118.812 mph, unofficially breaking his own outright lap record.

Behind the Flying Kiwi, Manx Sidecar TT great Dan Sayle (115.563) raised an eye brow or two with his pace, whilst JRC Racing’s Ivan Lintin (112.694) and Dan Kneen (109.203) both showcased their proven class around the Mountain Course.

Fifth quickest Michael Dunlop (112.130) who same as last evening broke down at Ballacraine on the Team Classic Suzuki, is step by step bringing himself into podium finishing contention.

Hugely impressing aboard the Team Winfield Paton albeit with what in my opinion, is a lot more powerful machine compared to many of his fellow competitors, Josh Brookes surged to the top of the Senior 500 practice leader board lapping at 109.509 mph.

Photo by Nick Wheeler

The former British Superbike Champion has to be considered now one of the firm favourites for race honours, discount at your peril though the likes of second and third fastest tonight William Dunlop (105.858) and Ripley Land Racing’s Michael Rutter (105.426).

Looking back on the Junior 350 action this Wednesday evening, it was Davies Motorsport’s Alan Oversby (101.079) setting the pace in front of six times international road race winner and leading Black Eagle MV runner, Lee Johnston (99.612).

Peter Boast (96.822), Cameron Donald (95.935), Jason Markham (95.354) all showed good form as did Mountain Course veteran Chris McGahan (93.525).

Superbike:

1 Bruce Anstey 124.888
2 Dean Harrison 123.288
3 David Johnson 121.863
4 Gary Johnson 121.732
5 Horst Saiger 121.134
6 Derek Sheils 118.968
7 Josh Brookes 118.586
8 William Dunlop 118.581
9 Andy Dudgeon 118.061
10 Danny Webb 117.994
11 Michael Rutter 117.515
12 Dan Stewart 117.469
13 Conor Cummins 116.881
14 Dan Hegarty 116.742
15 James Hillier 116.640
16 Matt Rees 115.464
17 Richard Wilson 113.965
18 Scott Wilson 113.470
19 Timothee Monot 113.426
20 Ben Wylie 112.758

Lightweight:

1 Bruce Anstey 118.812
2 Dan Sayle 115.563
3 Ivan Lintin 112.694
4 Ian Lougher 112.460
5 Michael Dunlop 112.130
6 Chris Moore 111.646
7 James Cowton 111.179
8 Phil Harvey 110.015
9 Dan Kneen 109.203
10 Dan Cooper 109.198
11 Paul Owen 108.845
12 Rhys Hardisty 108.096
13 Davy Morgan 107.016
14 Rikki McGovern 106.243
15 Shaun Anderson 105.318
16 Chris Swallow 104.522
17 Carsten Svendsen 104.171
18 Alex Sinclair 103.717
19 Dan Hegarty 103.487
20 Neal Champion 102.644

Junior:

1 Alan Oversby 101.079
2 Lee Johnston 99.612
3 Peter Boast 96.822
4 Cameron Donald 95.935
5 Jason Markham 95.354
6 Chris McGahan 93.525
7 Steve Ferguson 93.469
8 Sam Johnson 88.246
9 Bernie Wright 87.981
10 Dave Edwards 87.699
11 Grant Sellars 86.879
12 Dave Madsen Mygdal 86.753
13 Jeff Ward 85.857
14 Jamie O’Brien 85.513
15 Mark Woods 85.442
16 Ian Thompson 84.987
17 Andy Wilson 84.517
18 Christopher Bray 82.056
19 Justin Roebury 80.684
20 Shelley Pike 78.577

Senior:

1 Josh Brookes 109.509
2 William Dunlop 105.858
3 Michael Rutter 105.426
4 Maria Costello MBE 105.290
5 Bill Swallow 105.042
6 Michael Dunlop 104.377
7 James Cowton 104.033
8 Olie Linsdell 100.874
9 Mark Parrett 100.414
10 Mark Herbertson 99.537
11 Ian Lougher 98.248
12 Chris Swallow 97.843
13 Phil McGurk 97.733
14 Meredydd Owen 97.613
15 Kiaran Hankin 97.132
16 Bob Owen 96.865
17 Alec Whitwell 96.492
18 John Leigh Pemberton 95.407
19 Bruno Leroy 95.202
20 Nick Jefferies 95.181

Words by Stevie Rial

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