By On schedule at 07:45 AM (local time) 11:45 PM (UK time), the first and sole practice session of the 55th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, sprinted into fruition.
Quickest post opening timed laps was reigning event Champion, King of Imatra Erno Kostamo.
He was quickly usurped by Dymokury, Horice lap record holder David Datzer.
Then with just under 35 minutes of the session to run, pre-event favourite Peter Hickman went fastest, lapping at 2:36.141 seconds.
Not long afterwards, the above showcased Kostamo sporting a Jarno Saarinen tribute helmet, surged back to P1 on the time screens, lapping in the low 2-minute 33 seconds’ bracket.
By mid-session distance the top five order was Superstock powered Kostamo, Davey Todd, MTP Racing’s Datzer, Michael Rutter, FHO Racing team-mate Hickman.
With ten minutes of free practice action still to commence, just 0.663 covered Kostamo, Todd and new P3 occupier Hickman.
Hickman went onto regain times sheet leadership, lapping at 2:30.513 seconds, only 0.124 quicker than 38 plate holder Kostamo.
Closing session stages saw Kostamo go briefly speediest again only for Hickman to then up the ante, setting the first sub 2:29 seconds lap time, then going around the 3.8 miles long Guia Circuit, a touch swifter after his final timed lap, lapping at 2 minutes 28.389 seconds.
BE/RK Racing’s Todd thanks to a valiant late effort finished second speediest behind Hickman, 1.304 down on his fellow countryman’s turn of speed.
Kostamo, Datzer, Phil Crowe, SMT Racing’s Rob Hodson rounded out the session’s top six fastest racers whilst seventh to tenth quickest respectively were Rutter, WH Racing’s Julian Trummer, Paul Jordan and Brian McCormack.
55th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – Free practice session result:
1 – Peter Hickman – 2.28.389
2 – Davey Todd – 2.29.653
3 – Erno Kostamo – 2.29.939
4 – David Datzer – 2.30.500
5 – Phil Crowe – 2.31.624
6 – Rob Hodson – 2.32.440
7 – Michael Rutter – 2.32.589
8 – Julian Trummer – 2.34.485
9 – Paul Jordan – 2.34.821
10 – Brian McCormack – 2.34.836
11 – David Johnson – 2.35.092
12 – Josh Brookes – 2.36.203
13 – Dominic Herbertson – 2.36.420
14 – Sam West – 2.37.915
15 – Lukas Maurer – 2.38.042
16 – Michael Evans – 2.38.545
17 – Joey Thompson – 2.38.993
18 – Timothee Monot – 2.39.381
19 – Kamil Holan – 2.39.919
20 – Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams – 2.41.951
21 – Nadieh Schoots – 2.44.380
22 – Mark Goodings – 2.46.054
23 – Olivier Lupberger – 2.46.642
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
