By Quickly after Superbike/Superstock Q1, the first Super Twins qualifying stint of this year’s Southern 100 entered the horizon.
Unfortunately, just minutes into the session, red flags arose following an incident at Ballawhetstone.
Information was then disclosed, that the rider involved was ‘Tommy Club’ member David McConnachy, who was reported to be talking and conscious.
Post a fifteen minute plus delay, organisers then made the decision to curtail the remainder of Super Twins timed qualifying.
Despite the arduous course conditions, increasing vexatious rain, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of countless pilots sampling the next session.
No.1 middleweight class exponent in terms of white plate holders was S100 newcomer, Joshua Potts.
Potts PB lap time of 2:46.967 seconds, saw him finish a shade over one-second faster than fellow Billown first timer, Jacque Foley.
Towards the sessions end, pace setter Potts crashed out at Church Bends, causing red flags to arise again.
70 plate holder Potts was described post his misfortune, to be conscious and talking to doctors.
Following a moderate delay, Supersport yellow plate holders Q1 commenced at 8:57 PM.
With slightly improving conditions, speeds increased a touch, in particular via Monday night pace setter Jamie Coward, nudging over the 100-mph lap-mark.
Provisional pole sitter Coward (2.32.339) via his late burst of swiftness, finished almost five seconds ahead of top challenger, 22 times Southern 100 winner Michael Dunlop (2.37.233).
Third fastest Michael Browne (2.39.873) also lapped sub 2:40 seconds whilst Dean Harrison (2.40.694) aboard the Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha, also showcased adept speed.
Rhys Hardisty (2.41.696), Superbike/Superstock Q1 winner Marcus Simpson (2.42.428) finalised the timing screens top six.
Completing the overall Supersport Q1 leader-board were Davey Todd (2.43.061), Dafabet Racing’s Dominic Herbertson (2.43.109), Andy Sailor (2.45.693) and Don Gilbert (2.46.079).
In a major disappointment for the three-wheeling fraternity, the scheduled, following opening Sidecars qualifying session, failed to materialize due to fading light.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
