Plater shows his mettle with record newcomer practice lap

The leading contenders for Saturday’s Superbike race continue to make their mark
in the Bennetts TT practice sessions as records tumbled in near perfect conditions. A packed grandstand was bathed in sunshine as blistering times were posted on the track.

John McGuinness dominated the session and confirmed that he will again be the man to beat in Saturday’s Superbike race. His second lap of 129.084 was confirmed as a record practice lap time and he was only fractionally outside his outright lap record of 129.45mph set at last year’s Senior TT.

After a fifteen minute hold up at the beginning of the session, caused by road traffic accidents outside the course, Adrian Archibald and Michael Rutter were first off but it was Ian Hutchinson who served notice that he was coming into form with a 127.48mph lap, the fastest first lap. However, John McGuinness then replied with his sensational practice lap record. Guy Martin served notice that McGuinness wouldn’t have things all his own way with a fastest lap of 128.166 while Ian Lougher and Martin Finnegan also featured in the top five times of the night.

Michael Rutter on the Isilion MSS Discovery Kawasaki had clutch problems on his first lap but his team rallied round and he was able to finish the session in a credible seventh with a time of 125.003.

Bruce Anstey continues to dominate the Superstock and Supersport classes with the fastest time in both classes on the night. His 125.120mph in the Superstock’s saw him finish ahead of John McGuinness (124.295mph) and he also finished top of the pile in the Supersport class with a 122.619mph which put him ahead of the impressive Guy Martin (122.229mph).

In the sidecars Dave Molyneux was finally able to put his problems behind him and he got valuable track time with a couple of quick laps including 111.874mph on his second lap but he was again forced to play second fiddle to the week’s leading pair Nick Crowe/Dan Sayle who clocked the night’s fastest time – 114.125mph.

James Coward was reported to have lower leg fractures after an accident at Crookshanks.

A total of 250 machines went through scrutineering. 1 Senior, 75 Superbikes, 33 Superstock, 74 Supersport and 67 Sidecars.

Friday’s practice will begin at 6.15pm