NW200: Irwin Acquires Superbike Pole, Sets Record Qualifying Time

NW200: Irwin Acquires Superbike Pole, Sets Record Qualifying Time

Although the winds were picking up allied to overcast clouds, conditions still remained pretty decent for second Superbike qualifying at the FonaCAB & Nicholl Oils North West 200.

Switching to his favoured Honda Racing BSB steed from his International roads spec machine, proved quickly a shrewd move by Glenn Irwin, who was fastest out the blocks.

By second timed laps, Irwin was lapping sub 4 minutes 25 seconds, the pace was heating up!

22 minutes into the session and Irwin increased the pace further, lapping at 4 minutes 23.036 seconds.

Post mid-session distance Michael Dunlop jumped up to P2 on the live timing leader-board but was 2.364 in arrears to fellow countryman Irwin.

As Q2 proceedings entered its’ final stages, FHO Racing’s Peter Hickman dramatically went fastest, lapping at 4 minutes 22.447 seconds.

This placed him at the time 0.589 clear of respected roads, BSB rival Irwin.

Just as it seemed that Hickman had wrapped up pole position, Irwin registered with just minutes left of qualifying, a quite remarkable lap time of 4 minutes 20.205 seconds.

This is unofficially the fastest ever lap time outright and also the most rapid lap time ever, in terms of timed qualifying at the North West 200.

Irwin’s record-breaking lap time wasn’t surpassed as he headed Hickman by 2.242 seconds.

Joining Irwin, Hickman on the front row for Saturday’s Superbike races will be Buildbase Suzuki’s Richard Cooper (4.23.996).

DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison chipped away his pace and was rewarded by placing a solid fourth fastest.

19 times TT winner Dunlop, Milenco by Padgetts Davey Todd were respectively fifth, sixth quickest overall.

Whilst the remainder of the top ten from a history making SBK qualifying session were 7th James Hillier, Q1 form-horse Josh Brookes 8th, Lee Johnston 9th and John McGuinness MBE 10th.

North West 200 – Superbike Q2 result reads as follows:

1 Glenn Irwin – 4.20.205
2 Peter Hickman – 4.22.447
3 Richard Cooper – 4.23.996
4 Dean Harrison – 4.24.153
5 Michael Dunlop – 4.24.232
6 Davey Todd – 4.26.081
7 James Hillier – 4.26.711
8 Josh Brookes – 4.27.054
9 Lee Johnston – 4.27.640
10 John McGuinness MBE – 4.28.896
11 Alastair Seeley – 4.29.621
12 Michael Rutter – 4.29.928
13 Conor Cummins – 4.30.515
14 Ian Hutchinson – 4.30.640
15 Brian McCormack – 4.32.848
16 Nathan Harrison – 4.33.126
17 Sam West – 4.33.507
18 Jamie Coward – 4.33.764
19 Dominic Herbertson – 4.34.016
20 Michael Sweeney – 4.35.325
21 Paul Jordan – 4.35.793
22 Adam McLean – 4.36.119
23 Craig Neve – 4.36.129
24 Phil Crowe – 4.36.669
25 Gary Johnson – 4.37.189
26 Lukas Maurer – 4.39.179
27 Carl Phillips – 4.40.079
28 Mike Norbury – 4.40.462

29 Michael Evans – 4.42.550
30 James Chawke – 4.44.252
31 Julian Trummer – 4.45.908
32 Michael Booth – 4.45.919
33 Ilja Caljouw – 4.46.036
34 Mark Purslow – 4.46.052
35 Ryan Gibson – 4.46.267
36 Kamil Holan – 4.46.290
37 Xavier Denis – 4.46.527
38 Marty Lennon – 4.47.125
39 Paul Williams – 4.49.927
40 Josh Daley – 4.51.265
41 Chris Green – 4.52.145
42 Raul Torras Martinez – 4.53.421
43 Chris Sarbora – 4.53.477
44 Nadieh Schoots – 4.54.659
45 Donald MacFadyen – 4.54.810
46 Anthony Redmond – 4.55.233
47 Kris Duncan – 4.56.509
48 Olivier Lupberger – 4.58.247
49 Paul Cassidy – 4.59.205
50 Sam Johnson – 5.00.908
51 Dean Campbell – 5.03.610
52 Jean Pierre Polet – 5.04.420
53 Patricia Fernandez – 5.05.139
54 Jamie Williams – 5.08.543
55 Joe Thompson – 5.15.239

Photo credit: Rod Neill

Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou

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