By You could tell before second Superstock qualifying, that class participants were unsure about what conditions to expect. Drying, mixed, damp, dry lines, dry overall?
Stock 1000’s took to the Triangle at 11:11 AM with a vibrant mix of Kawasaki’s, BMW’s, Honda’s, Suzuki’s, Yamaha’s circulating alongside each other.
22 minutes into the 45-minute session, under twenty riders had set representative lap times.
Fastest of those to register lap times was Lami OMG Racing’s James Hillier (4:50.607 – 111.119 mph).
Fast forward to under thirty minutes of stock 1000 action to run, the Q2 top three was DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison (4:44.336), Bathams Racing’s Michael Rutter (4:49.617), aforementioned prior pace setter Hillier.
Conditions were gradually getting better as showcased by 14 times event winner Rutter, who had jumped to the top of the time sheets, having lapped at 4 minutes 40.356 seconds.
The seven times TT winner went quicker post his eighth timed lap, (115.842 mph – 4:38.759 seconds).
As we neared second qualifying’s conclusion, it was looking like the times from Tuesday would decide tonight’s front row, for the Briggs Equipment Superstock race.
This outcome proved correct, meaning pole position for Synetiq BMW’s Alastair Seeley ahead of eventual, final second qualifying top speedster Michael Dunlop (4:31.428 seconds – 115.842 mph).
Q2 runner-up Peter Hickman completes row one, with row two occupied by Davey Todd, Lee Johnston and leading Kawasaki pilot Harrison.
Row three features Josh Brookes, Conor Cummins and Honda Racing stalwart John McGuinness MBE.
Superstock Q2 Result, reads as follows:
1st – Michael Dunlop – 4:31.428
2nd – Peter Hickman – 4:34.880
3rd – Dean Harrison – 4:35.159
4th – Alastair Seeley – 4:35.682
5th – Conor Cummins – 4:37.137
6th – James Hillier – 4:38.036
7th – Davey Todd – 4:38.176
8th – Josh Brookes – 4:38.739
9th – Michael Rutter – 4:38.759
10th – Michael Browne – 4:43.368
11th – Nathan Harrison – 4:44.827
12th – John McGuinness MBE – 4:47.367
13th – Erno Kostamo – 4:51.716
14th – Craig Neve – 4:54.604
15th – Stefano Bonetti – 4:54.826
16th – Adam McLean – 4:55.133
17th – Jonathan Perry – 4:55.495
18th – Ryan Gibson – 4:57.204
19th – Brian McCormack – 4:57.851
20th – Matthieu Lagrive – 4:58.636
21st – Lukas Maurer – 4:58.742
22nd – Martin Morris – 4:59.067
23rd – Andrea Majola – 5:00.268
24th – Kamil Holan – 5:00.723
25th – Amalric Blanc – 5:02.283
26th – Emmett O’Grady – 5:03.493
27th – Michael Sweeney – 5:03.589
28th – Eddy Ferre – 5:04.186
29th – James Chawke – 5:04.496
30th – Raul Torras Martinez – 5:04.635
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
