Since 2009 the always ultra competitive Super Twins class has thrilled, enthralled, captivated fans of the world’s fastest road race, the Ulster Grand Prix.
The racer who currently carries the honour of being the quickest Twins machinery exponent at Dundrod, is none other than twice Lightweight TT winner Ivan Lintin.
Renowned 650cc machinery great Lintin back in 2017 on route to a third UGP Super Twins success, set an incredible new class lap record of 120.402 mph, which equates timing wise to 3 minutes 41.292 seconds.
In the same race as Lintin scooping the 650 Twins record lap speed, 2013 TT Privateers Champion Dan Cooper also nudged over the 120 mph lap mark, circulating an average speed of 120.207, just over 0.35 off the new existing lap record.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
Last year’s gripping Twins UGP action saw various impressive new PB lap speeds banked, including those achieved by KTS Racing’s Jamie Coward (119.48), respective race victors Christian Elkin (119.423), Paul Jordan (119.161) and fastest Paton runner, Team ILR’s Joe Loughlin (119.022).
Finalising the current ten fastest 650 steed exponents at Dundrod are Lee Johnston (118.996), Ryan Farquhar (118.461), Adam McLean (118.352) and triple Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Derek Sheils (118.05).
Fastest overseas exponent is French star Xavier Denis (115.664) whilst no less than 19 racers to date have dipped over the 115 mph lap mark.
The overall list of those to achieve this accomplishment, reads as follows:
1 Ivan Lintin 120.402
2 Dan Cooper 120.207
3 Jamie Coward 119.48
4 Christian Elkin 119.423
5 Paul Jordan 119.161
6 Joe Loughlin 119.022
7 Lee Johnston 118.996
8 Ryan Farquhar 118.461
9 Adam McLean 118.352
10 Derek Sheils 118.05
11 Jonathan Perry 116.598
12 Derek McGee 116.587
13 James Cowton 116.546
14 Jamie Hamilton 116.266
15 James Chawke 115.727
16 Xavier Denis 115.664
17 Ryan Kneen 115.433
18 Michael Sweeney 115.044
19 Russ Mountford 115.005
Words by Stevie Rial