PRODUCTION 1000

Today’s postponed 1000cc Production race was won by New Zealand’s Bruce Anstey

(TAS Suzuki) at record lap and race speed. He overcame an early challenge from John McGuinness (Yamaha) to win by 18 seconds at 123.72mph, a time of 54 minutes 53.5 seconds.

On the opening lap, the top four placemen all broke the lap record. Formula One and Lightweight winner John McGuinness (Yamaha) led the way at 125.03mph, 6.3 seconds inside the late David Jefferies’ former mark.

Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) was 1.1 seconds behind at 124.91mph, Ian Lougher (Honda) third at 124.86mph just two-fifths of a second down on Anstey and Jason Griffiths (Yamaha) fourth at 124.39mph. Fifth was Adrian Archibald (Suzuki) and sixth Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki).

Early on the second lap Anstey took the lead from McGuinness and proceded to open out, leading by 5.2 seconds as the pit stops were taken. Anstey took over the lap record in 18 minutes 05.7 seconds, 125.10mph even while slowing to refuel! McGuinness did the overture with 18 minutes 12 seconds, 124.38mph, but it wasn’t proving enough to hold Anstey.

After the pit stops Anstey was 14 seconds clear of the Yamaha, with Griffiths overtaking Lougher for third. Fifth lay Archibald and sixth Martin Finnegan (Suzuki), but the latter was too keen in the Stop Box and picked up a ten second penalty. Then, to add insult to injury, he retired a minute or so later at Braddan.

Richard Britton, Mark Parrett, Gary Carswell and Guy Martin were seventh to tenth inclusive with just one lap to go.

Over the Mountain roared the field, with Kiwi Anstey declining to be denied his third TT victory. McGuinness kept the pressure on, but had his own case to deal with fending off team mate Jason Griffiths, just 1.9 seconds in arrears.

The top six were: Anstey, McGuinness, Griffiths, Lougher, Archibald and Britton. First 750cc home was Paul Hunt (Suzuki), finishing 11th and picking up a useful £1,500.