After the frustrations of previous days, the Supersport, Superstock and Lightweight machines at last took to the Mountain Course, for the first time, this week, today in decent conditions, albeit with the odd damp patch or two.
Supersport:
Ian Hutchinson showcased the huge potential of the all new YZF R6 Yamaha, by propelling his McAMS backed Team Traction Control prepared machine, to the top spot in Supersport practice, setting a lap speed of 121.147 mph.
Michael Dunlop second quickest, was the only other rider to lap in excess of 121 mph, lapping at 121.020 mph on his own teams Yamaha.
Gary Johnson got his TT 2017 campaign underway in style, finishing third fastest, whilst Bruce Anstey and James Hillier fourth and fifth quickest, both showed accomplished form.
Radcliffe’s Racing’s Jamie Coward (118.979 mph) impressed as did new to the Jackson Racing fold Dan Kneen, who lapped at 118.731 mph.
Additional riders to crack the 118 mph mark where William Dunlop, Lee Johnston and Silicone Engineering Racing’s Dean Harrison.
Others to produce notable times included Dan Hegarty (117.616), Junior Manx GP winner Andy Dudgeon (115.297) and WH Racing’s Dominic Herbertson (117.215) and extremely impressive newcomers Adam McLean (112.89) and Joe Thompson (110.779).
Photo by Nick Wheeler
TT 2017 – Tuesday Practice – Supersport Results:
1 Ian Hutchinson 121.147
2 Michael Dunlop 121.020
3 Gary Johnson 120.311
4 Bruce Anstey 119.794
5 James Hillier 119.776
6 Jamie Coward 118.979
7 William Dunlop 118.781
8 Dan Kneen 118.731
9 Lee Johnston 118.386
10 Dean Harrison 118.356
11 Conor Cummins 118.147
12 Dan Hegarty 117.616
13 Steve Mercer 117.337
14 James Cowton 117.221
15 Dominic Herbertson 117.215
16 Guy Martin 117.092
17 Horst Saiger 116.986
18 Ivan Lintin 116.567
19 Michael Sweeney 116.429
20 Peter Hickman 116.141
21 Andy Dudgeon 115.297
22 Dan Stewart 115.250
23 Dan Cooper 114.77
24 Anthony Redmond 114.537
25 Daley Mathison 114.533
26 Martin Jessopp 114.479
27 Michal Dokoupil 114.253
28 Matt Rees 113.735
29 Mark Parrett 113.565
30 Robert Wilson 113.543
31 Chris Petty 113.531
32 Joe Akroyd 113.442
33 Craig Neve 113.148
34 Mark Goodings 113.007
35 Adam McLean 112.89
36 Brian McCormack 112.88
37 Gavin Lupton 112.719
38 Jim Hodson 112.345
39 Davey Lambert 112.271
40 Dave Sellers 111.755
Lightweight:
Lightweight practice saw Michael Rutter propel the SC Project Paton to the top of the time sheets, via lap speed of 113.946 mph.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Paton team mate Stefano Bonetti finished fifth quickest, whilst reigning Lightweight TT champion Ivan Lintin (113.856), led the Kawasaki challenge in finishing second fastest.
Dan Cooper (111.833) and new KMR Kawasaki signing Peter Hickman (111.605 mph) both had a productive first night of practice, Martin Jessopp (110.828), John Barton (110.811 mph), McAdoo Kawasaki’s James Cowton (110.057 mph) all showed good form, as did JHS Racing’s Dave Moffitt.
Same notion applied to Super Twins Manx GP winner Jamie Hodson, Anthony Redmond, Rob Hodson, Greenhous Vauxhall backed Barry Furber and Cookstown BE Racing’s Derek Sheils.
TT 2017 – Tuesday Practice – Lightweight Results:
1 Michael Rutter 113.946
2 Ivan Lintin 113.856
3 Dan Cooper 111.833
4 Peter Hickman 111.605
5 Stefano Bonetti 111.347
6 Martin Jessopp 110.828
7 John Barton 110.811
8 James Cowton 110.057
9 Dave Moffitt 109.703
10 Jamie Hodson 109.656
11 Anthony Redmond 109.582
12 Rob Hodson 108.953
13 Barry Furber 108.820
14 Derek Sheils 108.717
15 Callum Laidlaw 108.578
16 Maria Costello MBE 108.491
17 Timothee Monot 108.323
18 Mark Purslow 107.8
19 Ian Gardner 107.093
20 Bjorn Gunnarsson 105.002
21 Forest Dunn 104.856
22 Wayne Axon 104.833
23 Lee Hembury 104.502
24 Rikki McGovern 104.18
25 Josh Brookes 104.179
26 Pete Murray 104.134
27 Rob Livesey 103.725
28 Tim Sayers 103.577
29 Danny Webb 102.242
30 Alan Bud Jackson 101.029
Superstock:
Dan Kneen got his TT 2017 campaign off to the best possible fashion, by heading the Superstock times, this evening.
Piloting the DTR Powered by Penz 13 BMW, his lap speed of 124.642 mph, was just enough to hold off Bathams SMT Racing’s Michael Rutter, to clinch the top spot in practice.
Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Steve Mercer (123.870) wasn’t far behind, as was Bruce Anstey (123.722), whilst Lee Johnston (123.008), also surpassed the 123 lap speed mark.
James Cowton impressed in finishing sixth quickest, his lap speed of 121.633 was quicker than the likes of Conor Cummins, Ivan Lintin and holder of the number 1 plate, David Johnson.
Rob Hodson (119.876) and Stefano Bonetti (119.702), both quietly going about their business looked both in fine fettle, same applied to Noel Williamson Racing’s Alan Bonner (119.561).
TT 2017 – Tuesday Practice – Superstock Results:
1 Dan Kneen 124.642
2 Michael Rutter 124.117
3 Steve Mercer 123.870
4 Bruce Anstey 123.722
5 Lee Johnston 123.008
6 James Cowton 121.633
7 Jamie Coward 121.238
8 Conor Cummins 121.181
9 Ivan Lintin 120.718
10 David Johnson 120.445
11 Rob Hodson 119.876
12 Stefano Bonetti 119.702
13 Alan Bonner 119.561
14 Andy Dudgeon 118.911
15 Dominic Herbertson 118.905
16 Horst Saiger 118.869
17 Danny Webb 118.11
18 Ben Wylie 117.525
19 Mark Parrett 117.11
20 Michael Russell 116.9
Words by Stevie Rial