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Rescheduled to 6:30 PM, the opening three-lap Carole Nash Super Twins race, promised much.
Paton vs Kawasaki vs Yamaha, established TT giants’ vs rising talents vs plucky privateers, the ingredients were there for another Mountain Course classic.
In contrast to previous solo races, first away holding the illustrious No.1 plate was Cowton Racing’s Dominic Herbertson.
Lap 1:
Going to the form book, SC Project Paton mounted Michael Dunlop stormed into the lead at Glen Helen, opening up a 4.533 seconds advantage over Jamie Coward.
Michael Browne was just 1.216 behind Coward with Peter Hickman aboard R7 Yamaha tackle fourth.
By Ballaugh Bridge, Dunlop had stretched his advantage out front to nine seconds plus.
Stefano Bonetti fifth at Glen Helen, retired at Douglas Road Corner.
On the run to Ramsey Hairpin, opening Superstock race runner-up Dunlop added almost four seconds to his race-lead.
Twice TT Privateers Champion Coward was now 12.956 in arrears to the 23 times TT winner.
Coward soon overhauled Herbertson to lead on the road and at the Bungalow, slightly reduced Dunlop’s grip on race proceedings.
At lap one’s finalisation, the top six order was Dunlop, Coward +14.343, Browne, Hickman, Josh Brookes and starting his 84th TT race Michael Rutter.
Lap 2:
After scheduled pit-stop tasks, pace setter Dunlop quickly reeled in on top chaser Coward, overtaking the Hebden Bridge racer to alongside leading on the timing screens, lead on the road as well.
Dunlop had a nigh-on twenty seconds lead at Glen Helen with Coward just 0.491 in front of BE/RK Racing’s Browne.
Onto Ballaugh Bridge and Coward grittily moved 1.991 to the good over Irish Road Race Supersport Champion Browne.
Out front, Dunlop was in complete control of his mission to make it 24 TT victories.
Hickman and Brookes remained evenly matched in the battle for fifth whilst North West 200 winner Pierre Yves Bian held sixth.
As the third, final lap dawned Dunlop led new place holder Browne by 21.908 seconds, who had got the better of Coward by the Bungalow.
Lap 3:
Although attentions rightly were upon prospective race victor Dunlop, lots of attention was also on the compelling fight for second between Browne and Coward.
Nip and tuck post Glen Helen, Ballaugh Bridge, Sulby, at Ramsey Hairpin Browne led Coward, with just 1.218 separating the rising TT stars.
As Dunlop took the applauds, plaudits for TT win No.24, becoming the second most successful racer in TT history, who would emerge second?
The answer was first time podium finisher, Irishman Browne finishing 2.237 ahead of 2019 Junior Classic TT winner Coward.
Outright lap record holder Hickman, Dafabet Racing’s Brookes, 2021 IRRC Supersport Champion Yves Bian completed the first six finishers.
Herbertson, Rutter, Barry Furber gaining a PB TT finish, Rob Hodson wrapped up the top ten.
Michael ‘Jack’ Russell (13th) made it five finishes from five races, as he continues his ten finishes from ten TT starts goal.
Sole TT newcomer competing Jack Petrie placed 28th whilst others obtaining creditable finishes included Chris Moore (14th), Martin Morris (15th), Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams (16th), Jonathan Goetschy (18th), Paul Cassidy (20th) and Gareth Arnold (22nd).
TT 2023 – Carole Nash Super Twins Race 1 Result:
1st – Michael Dunlop
2nd – Michael Browne
3rd – Jamie Coward
4th – Peter Hickman
5th – Josh Brookes
6th – Pierre Yves Bian
7th – Dominic Herbertson
8th – Michael Rutter
9th – Barry Furber
10th – Rob Hodson
11th – Michael Evans
12th – Michal Dokoupil
13th – Michael Russell
14th – Chris Moore
15th – Martin Morris
16th – Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams
17th – Dave Hewson
18th – Jonathan Goetschy
19th – Miroslav Sloboda
20th – Paul Cassidy
21st – Pete Murray
22nd – Gareth Arnold
23rd – Jamie Cringle
24th – Andy Hornby
25th – Tom Weeden
26th – Dave Madsen Mygdal
27th – Masayuki Yamanaka
28th – Jack Petrie
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Lap 2:
After scheduled pit-stop tasks, pace setter Dunlop quickly reeled in on top chaser Coward, overtaking the Hebden Bridge racer to alongside leading on the timing screens, lead on the road as well.
Dunlop had a nigh-on twenty seconds lead at Glen Helen with Coward just 0.491 in front of BE/RK Racing’s Browne.
Onto Ballaugh Bridge and Coward grittily moved 1.991 to the good over Irish Road Race Supersport Champion Browne.
Out front, Dunlop was in complete control of his mission to make it 24 TT victories.
Hickman and Brookes remained evenly matched in the battle for fifth whilst North West 200 winner Pierre Yves Bian held sixth.
As the third, final lap dawned Dunlop led new place holder Browne by 21.908 seconds, who had got the better of Coward by the Bungalow.
Lap 3:
Although attentions rightly were upon prospective race victor Dunlop, lots of attention was also on the compelling fight for second between Browne and Coward.
Nip and tuck post Glen Helen, Ballaugh Bridge, Sulby, at Ramsey Hairpin Browne led Coward, with just 1.218 separating the rising TT stars.
As Dunlop took the applauds, plaudits for TT win No.24, becoming the second most successful racer in TT history, who would emerge second?
The answer was first time podium finisher, Irishman Browne finishing 2.237 ahead of 2019 Junior Classic TT winner Coward.
Outright lap record holder Hickman, Dafabet Racing’s Brookes, 2021 IRRC Supersport Champion Yves Bian completed the first six finishers.
Herbertson, Rutter, Barry Furber gaining a PB TT finish, Rob Hodson wrapped up the top ten.
Michael ‘Jack’ Russell (13th) made it five finishes from five races, as he continues his ten finishes from ten TT starts goal.
Sole TT newcomer competing Jack Petrie placed 28th whilst others obtaining creditable finishes included Chris Moore (14th), Martin Morris (15th), Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams (16th), Jonathan Goetschy (18th), Paul Cassidy (20th) and Gareth Arnold (22nd).
TT 2023 – Carole Nash Super Twins Race 1 Result:
1st – Michael Dunlop
2nd – Michael Browne
3rd – Jamie Coward
4th – Peter Hickman
5th – Josh Brookes
6th – Pierre Yves Bian
7th – Dominic Herbertson
8th – Michael Rutter
9th – Barry Furber
10th – Rob Hodson
11th – Michael Evans
12th – Michal Dokoupil
13th – Michael Russell
14th – Chris Moore
15th – Martin Morris
16th – Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams
17th – Dave Hewson
18th – Jonathan Goetschy
19th – Miroslav Sloboda
20th – Paul Cassidy
21st – Pete Murray
22nd – Gareth Arnold
23rd – Jamie Cringle
24th – Andy Hornby
25th – Tom Weeden
26th – Dave Madsen Mygdal
27th – Masayuki Yamanaka
28th – Jack Petrie
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou 
