Tonight’s Supersport qualifying stints got underway just past 6:40 PM, with white plate holders first to circulate around the iconic, 4.25 miles long Billown course.
Top white plate holder marginally quicker than Barry Furber was rapidly improving Irish road racer Stephen Tobin (2.30.785), who lapped close to the 2-minute 30 second mark.
Whilst those carrying white plates, made the most of track time available, lots of focus was it’s fair to say on the corresponding yellow plate holder session, which featured many of the anticipated front runners.
A hugely competitive session would see DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison (109.951) grab pole position for tomorrow’s opening Supersport race stint, via a stirring sixth, final timed lap of almost 110 mph.
Harrison’s sharp injection of speed was so potent that come qualifying’s completion, he was 0.915 quicker than long time top qualifier Michael Dunlop (109.233).
Like Harrison, TT Privateers Champion Jamie Coward (109.131), Milenco by Padgetts Davey Todd (108.757) set their best times post their last timed laps, to solidly third, fourth position starts for Wednesday’s Supersport race.
Fifth fastest Rob Hodson edged past the 107-mph lap barrier, finishing just over 0.7 ahead of sixth quickest PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan.
Wrapping up the top ten yellow plated Supersport qualifiers were Pre-TT Classic podium finisher Joe Yeardsley, Duke Road Race Rankings leader Michael Sweeney, Senior Manx winner Nathan Harrison and Welshman Rhys Hardisty.
Southern 100 – combined second qualifying result:
(Best lap speed located near racers name)
1 – Dean Harrison – 109.951
2 – Michael Dunlop – 109.233
3 – Jamie Coward – 109.131
4 – Davey Todd – 108.757
5 – Rob Hodson – 107.085
6 – Paul Jordan – 106.553
7 – Joe Yeardsley – 104.934
8 – Michael Sweeney – 104.756
9 – Nathan Harrison – 104.205
10 – Rhys Hardisty – 103.706
11 – Richard Charlton – 103.611
12 – Jamie Williams – 103.601
13 – Marcus Simpson – 103.533
14 – Sam West – 103.041
15 – Marc Colvin – 102.126
16 – Russ Mountford – 101.521
17 – Stephen Tobin – 101.469
18 – Frankie Stennett – 101.264
19 – Barry Furber – 101.190
20 – Paul Cassidy – 101.114
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou