By Alastair Seeley, continued his stellar start to his 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 campaign, by topping the time sheets in an entertaining Superbike practice session.
Setting lap time of 4 minutes 25.1 seconds, the “Wee Wizard” was the foremost force throughout practice, finishing 1.5 seconds clear of the chasing pack, which was lead by fellow coast roads great, Michael Rutter on the Bathams SMT Racing S1000RR BMW.
Michael Dunlop cast aside any assumptions that he would struggle with the new GSX-R 1000 Suzuki, by securing the third quickest time in front of great rival Ian Hutchinson.
Photo by Rod Neill
Glenn Irwin on the BeWiser Ducati, immediately showed accomplished form as he finished fifth fastest, in front of Martin Jessopp (Riders Motorcycles BMW), John McGuinness on the all new CBR 1000RR Fireblade SP2 Honda and Jackson Racing’s Lee Johnston.
Rounding out the top ten in practice, was Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) and Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki).
Outside of the first ten on the timing sheets, additional riders to impress included reigning Irish road race Superbike champion Derek Sheils and Radcliffe’s Racing’s Jamie Coward.
Guy Martin’s maiden international roads outing in Honda Racing colours, began in low key fashion, by finishing 19th quickest, it’s clear though that Guy has more than one eye on TT 2017.
Vauxhall International North West 200 – Superbike Practice Times:
1 Alastair Seeley 4.25.100
2 Michael Rutter 4.26.670
3 Michael Dunlop 4.27.639
4 Ian Hutchinson 4.29.782
5 Glenn Irwin 4.30.030
6 Martin Jessopp 4.31.272
7 John McGuinness 4.32.280
8 Lee Johnston 4.32.477
9 Peter Hickman 4.33.815
10 Dean Harrison 4.34.657
11 Horst Saiger 4.35.196
12 James Hillier 4.35.349
13 Dan Kneen 4.36.276
14 Derek Sheils 4.36.522
15 Bruce Anstey 4.37.103
16 William Dunlop 4.37.825
17 Jamie Coward 4.38.228
18 Ivan Lintin 4.38.333
19 Guy Martin 4.38.905
20 Steve Mercer 4.39.056
Words by Stevie Rial
