By With more ideal conditions around the fabled, mythical Mountain Course, it was not a surprise to see the anticipated Superbike upping the ante this evening.
Sensationally from a standing start, Gas Monkey Garage by FHO Racing’s Peter Hickman lapped over 133 mph, (133.22).
Just over six seconds down on Hickman’s new practice week topping lap speed was DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison (132.33).
Milenco by Padgetts Davey Todd (132.19) unofficially for the first time joined the ‘132 Mph Club’.
Michael Dunlop looking in better fettle with his Hawk Racing Suzuki steed, for the first time this week lapped in the 131’s (131.44).
Fifth fastest behind Dunlop after opening timed big bike laps was No.11 plate holder Conor Cummins (130.49).
So, what was next in terms of Superbike competition at TT 2022?
It seemed that Hickman looked good for a high 133-mph lap but then having registered at Cronk Ny Mona, the world’s fastest road racer didn’t make it to Glencrutchery Road, having ran out of fuel.
Current Senior Champion Harrison banked another 132-mph lap whilst Manxman Cummins (130.87), John McGuinness MBE (129.278), Phil Crowe (127.686), Nathan Harrison (126.541), PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan (125.581) all recorded new best lap speeds.
Despite aforementioned issues, Hickman went onto finish quickest tonight by 6.83 seconds over respected rival Harrison.
The in-form Todd placed third fastest whilst the remainder of tonight’s top 10 most rapid Superbike exponents, were as follows:
19 times TT winner Dunlop, ten times TT rostrum finisher Cummins, 23 times TT winner McGuinness MBE, Rich Energy OMG Racing’s James Hillier (128.431), KTS Racing’s Jamie Coward (127.977), Market Rasen’s Phil Crowe and Shaun Anderson (126.989).
TT 2022 – Thursday evening Superbike practice result:
1st – Peter Hickman – 133.22
2nd – Dean Harrison – 132.333
3rd – Davey Todd – 132.187
4th – Michael Dunlop – 131.44
5th – Conor Cummins – 130867
6th – John McGuinness MBE – 129.278
7th – James Hillier – 128.431
8th – Jamie Coward – 127.977
9th – Phil Crowe – 127.686
10th – Shaun Anderson – 126.989
11th – Dominic Herbertson – 126.596
12th – Nathan Harrison – 126.541
13th – Derek Sheils – 126.495
14th – Gary Johnson – 125.9
15th – Michael Rutter – 125.841
16th – Paul Jordan – 125.581
17th – Craig Neve – 125.36
18th – Michael Browne – 125.076
19th – Rob Hodson – 124.502
20th – Michael Sweeney – 124.38
21st – Matt Stevenson – 124.073
22nd – Brian McCormack – 123.558
23rd – Ian Hutchinson – 123.499
24th – Michael Evans – 123.414
25th – Brandon Cretu – 123.159
26th – Michael Booth – 122.888
27th – Stefano Bonetti – 122.782
28th – David Datzer – 122.335
29th – David Jackson – 122.284
30th – Mark Goodings – 122.23
31st – Josh Daley – 122.041
32nd – Jim Hind – 121.737
33rd – Mark Parrett – 121.417
34th – Milo Ward – 121.18
35th – Julian Trummer – 120.878
36th – Raul Torras Martinez – 120.773
37th – Forest Dunn – 120.578
38th – Richard Charlton – 120.153
39th – Xavier Denis – 120.119
40th – Thomas Maxwell – 120.094
41st – Jonathan Perry – 119.818
42nd – Davy Morgan – 119.785
43rd – Timothee Monot – 119.6
44th – Julien Toniutti – 119.524
45th – Lukas Maurer – 119.335
46th – Richard Wilson – 119.266
47th – Mike Norbury – 118.445
48th – James Chawke – 118.009
49th – Dave Hewson – 117.97
50th – Barry Furber – 117.715
51st – Tom Weeden – 117.636
52nd – Joey Thompson – 117.133
53rd – Ilja Caljouw – 113.807
54th – Glenn Irwin – 110.906
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
