By After a tough start to the day, following series of incidents within the opening practice/qualifying sessions, day 1 of the 2017 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix ended with spectators around Dundrod, buzzing from the world class action, that they had witnessed.
Star of the show today, Peter Hickman fastest in Dundrod 150 Superbike, Ulster GP Supersport & Superbike Q1 sessions, also headed the Superstock class, lapping at a very impressive 131.771 mph.
Nearest challengers to the on top form Smiths Racing rider, where new to the Tyco BMW fold Dan Kneen (130.005) and Silicone Engineering Racing’s Dean Harrison (129.806).
Under a second covered the four fastest riders in Super Twins qualifying, as 650 giant Ivan Lintin propelled the Dafabet Devitt Racing Z650 Kawasaki to provisional pole, courtesy of lap speed of 117.435 mph.
Second, third and fourth quickest McAdoo Racing’s James Cowton (117.189), new KMR Kawasaki signing Derek McGee (117.056) and Cookstown BE Racing’s Derek Sheils (117.018), where all closely matched pace wise.
Q1 (Qualifying one) 125/Moto 3 honours, saw Paul Robinson (108.536) set the pace, just in front of pre race favourite, Christian Elkin, with event newcomer Joe Thompson impressing, finishing third quickest.
The highly rated Yorkshireman also went onto top the Dundrod 150 National/Challenge time sheets, lapping at 119.378 mph, whilst second quickest and fellow Dundrod newcomer Rob Hodson, also topped the 119 mph mark.
Photo by Rod Neill
Bruce Anstey’s highly anticipated two stroke Ulster GP debut, more than lived up to expectations, as the flying Kiwi dominated 250/400 qualifying.
34 times an international road race winner, the New Zealander’s lap speed of 113.420 mph, gave him an advantage out front of plus seven seconds over nearest challenger, Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan.
Fourth fastest overall RT&E Racing’s Callum Laidlaw (108.699) headed the strong 400 entry, in front of Ballymoney duo Seamus Elliott and Darryl Tweed.
All in all, a great start to the 2017 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix. Will Peter Hickman still prove the one to beat tomorrow? he’s looking formidable, but the competition is stern.
Qualifying results, per class, are as follows:
125/Moto 3 Qualifying:
1 Paul Robinson 108.536
2 Christian Elkin 108.454
3 Joe Thompson 104.318
4 Gary Dunlop 103.788
5 Paul Jordan 103.174
6 Nigel Moore 101.530
7 Lorenzo Tiveron 99.344
8 Melissa Kennedy 98.622
9 Jack Sands 97.977
10 Christopher Eder 97.476
11 Peter McKillop 96.778
12 John McAllister 95.014
13 Sarah Boyes 94.581
14 Sam Johnson 94.566
15 John Cooke 90.259
250/400 Qualifying:
1 Bruce Anstey 113.420
2 Neil Kernohan 109.916
3 Davy Morgan 108.934
4 Callum Laidlaw 108.699
5 Seamus Elliott 108.638
6 Paul Owen 108.374
7 Darryl Tweed 107.632
8 David Howard 106.058
9 Paul Gartland 104.548
10 Stephen Morrison 104.236
11 Gareth Keys 104.140
12 Andy McAllister 104.095
13 Peter Fletcher 102.023
14 Alan Johnston 102.013
15 Tam Nicholl 101.167
16 Mark Shields 99.860
17 Johnny McCay 99.243
18 Kenny Ruddy 98.423
19 Dave Walsh 96.784
20 Dave Woolams 95.643
21 Darren Duncan 94.826
22 Aaron Boyd 94.800
23 Stephen Carr 94.145
Super Twins Q1:
1 Ivan Lintin 117.435
2 James Cowton 117.189
3 Derek McGee 117.056
4 Derek Sheils 117.018
5 Dan Cooper 116.903
6 Adam McLean 116.746
7 Christian Elkin 116.222
8 Xavier Denis 113.559
9 Jonathan Perry 113.445
10 Alistair Kirk 113.260
11 Rob Hodson 112.899
12 Michael Dunlop 112.505
13 Maria Costello 110.789
14 Mark Purslow 110.765
15 Jamie Hodson 110.743
16 Michael Sweeney 110.710
17 Seamus Elliott 110.692
18 Marty Lennon 110.072
19 Forest Dunn 109.882
20 Glenn Walker 109.558
Superstock Q1:
1 Peter Hickman 131.771
2 Dan Kneen 130.005
3 Dean Harrison 129.806
4 Derek Sheils 129.088
5 Derek McGee 128.437
6 Lee Johnston 128.423
7 David Johnson 127.965
8 Jamie Coward 127.600
9 Sam West 126.917
10 Dan Cooper 126.767
11 Brian McCormack 126.599
12 Alistair Kirk 126.377
13 Ivan Lintin 126.141
14 James Cowton 125.890
15 Michael Sweeney 125.887
16 Daley Mathison 125.659
17 Mark Goodings 125.363
18 Phil Crowe 125.350
19 Paul Jordan 124.790
20 Dominic Herbertson 124.143
Words by Stevie Rial
