Michael Dunlop on the Hawk Racing BMW at the North West 200 on Tuesday.

13:20 hrs. - Michael Dunlop sets Superbike pace on Hawk Racing BMW

Michael Dunlop has set the pace in the opening Superbike practice session at the Vauxhall International North West 200.

Dunlop left it late to knock 15-time winner Alastair Seeley off the top spot at the Triangle course, lapping at 121.653mph to head the times by almost six tenths of a second on the Hawk Racing BMW.

Carrick rider Seeley clocked 121.386mph in second place as he begins his quest to become the most successful rider ever at the event this week, when one more win will put him ahead of road racing legend Robert Dunlop on the roll of honour.

Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson – who went through the speed trap at 203mph – was third fastest on the S1000RR, one second down on Dunlop, with Honda Racing’s John McGuinness next (120.231mph), 3.1 seconds off the leader.

Veteran and 13-time winner Michael Rutter impressed in fourth place on the SMT Bathams BMW with a lap of 119.860mph, while James Hillier completed the top six on the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki.

British Superbike star Peter Hickman was seventh fastest on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki as he makes only his second appearance at the North West, while Manx rider Conor Cummins (Honda Racing) was solid in eighth place.

The top ten was completed by Bruce Anstey on the Valvoline Padgetts Honda and Lee Johnston (East Coast/Burdens BMW).

Jeremy McWilliams, who was riding the Mar-Train Yamaha R1 on the roads for the first time, was 11th fastest.

The 52-year-old is standing in for Dan Kneen, who was ruled out of the North West with a broken arm following a training accident on his bicycle.

Ryan Farquhar, making his roads debut on the second of the Tyco BMW machines, was 15th quickest, one place behind William Dunlop on the MSS Kawasaki Superstock machine.

Earlier, Seeley was quickest in the Supersport session on the Gearlink Kawasaki, lapping at 116.412mph to go 3.8 seconds clear of Hutchinson on the CAME BPT Yamaha.

Martin Jessopp was third fastest, nine tenths behind Hutchinson, with Johnston on the East Coast Triumph, John McGuinness (Jackson Honda) and Dean Harrison on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki rounding out the first half dozen.

Michael Dunlop was seventh fastest on his MD Racing Yamaha ahead of Anstey and William Dunlop – also Yamaha-mounted – who is running his own team with backing from IC Racing and MMB.

James Hiller completed the top ten on the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki.

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Kyle White

North West 2016 CP Hire / Spidi Qualifying Superstock Races

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North West 2016 Vauxhall / Anchor Complex Qualifying Superbike Races

North West 2016 Actavo / BetMcClean Qualifying Supersport Races

Michael Rutter on the Bathams SMT BMW Superstock machine at the North West 200 on Tuesday.

Thirteen-time North West 200 winner Michael Rutter set an unofficial lap record in the Superstock class as the veteran racer clinched provisional pole on the Bathams SMT BMW on Tuesday.

The session was red-flagged with just over a minute remaining after an incident at Mill Road Roundabout, which was not serious in nature.

In warm sunshine on the north coast, Rutter lapped at 121.847mph to head Alastair Seeley (Briggs BMW) by nine tenths of a second, with Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson third quickest on the S1000RR, almost 2.3 seconds down on Rutter, who achieved his most recent victory in the Superstock class in 2012.

Superbike pacesetter Michael Dunlop maintained his strong start to the event Tuesday as the Ballymoney man went fourth fastest on his MD Racing BMW at 120.651mph, while behind him, the injured Lee Johnston (East Coast/Burdens BMW) and Martin Jessopp on the Riders Motorcycles BMW completed the top six.

Lincolnshire’s Gary Johnson was next on the Penz13.com BMW followed by Dean Harrson (Silicone Engineering Kawasaki) and Austrian Horst Saiger on his Kawasaki ZX-10R in ninth.

William Dunlop was tenth on the MSS Kawasaki ahead of Kiwi Bruce Anstey (Valvoline Padgetts Honda) and Ryan Farquhar on the IEG BMW.

Meanwhile, in the Supertwins session, Yeovil man Jessopp put down a marker around the Triangle course on his Kawasaki, only just edging out Devitt RC Express Kawasaki’s Ivan Lintin by 0.046 seconds with a best lap of 107.348mph.

Ulsterman Farquhar was third, 1.5 seconds behind Jessopp on his SGS International KMR Kawasaki followed by James Hillier on the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki.

Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan impressed as he put the B&W Kawasaki into fifth place ahead of Jeremy McWilliams (SGS KMR Kawasaki).

Peter Hickman was seventh fastest on the Cookstown/B.E. Racing machine as the 29-year-old makes his debut in the class at the North West 200.


Final qualifying takes place on Thursday, with roads closed from 9.15am-3pm ahead of the evening race schedule, which includes the opening Supersport, Supertwins and Superstock events, with roads closing from 5.15pm.

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Michael Dunlop set the Vauxhall International North West 200 on fire today, after posting the fastest lap in the Superbike class on his Hawk Racing BMW in the last seconds of the session.

The Ballymoney man, who was having his first pure roads outing of the year after opting to race in the BSB series rather than at the early season Irish Nationals, was over half a second faster than arch rival, Alastair Seeley.

“Aye, it was steady enough.” the 27 year old said after laying down the opening mark of the meeting in glorious sunshine.

“That is our first run out with the superbike and we have a bit to go yet with it but now we have a guide.”

Alastair Seeley, who is bidding to win a record 16th North West 200 race, was runner up in the session on the Briggs Equipment BMW.

“I hit the footpath at Juniper on the last lap and did a bit of motocrossing but I wasn’t on a quick lap anyway.” the Carrickfergus man said.

“We have a couple of tweaks to make to the bike and then I will happier but it is coping well with the bumps and that makes it easier.”

Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson was third fastest, a further second back. Hutchinson and Dunlop were joint quickest through the speed trap, breaking the beam at 203.4mph.

“I am never a great qualifier but I am on the front row in each class so I am happy enough with that.” the Bingley man said.

“I don't think we have much more work to do with the bikes really.”

North West veterans John McGuinness and Michael Rutter circulated together for much of the session on their official Honda and Bathams/SMT BMW superbikes with McGuinness finishing fourth fastest just ahead of Rutter.

James Hillier was the fastest Kawasaki taking sixth place on the Quattro Plant ZX10R just ahead of Peter Hickman on the similar JG Speedfit bike.

Conor Cummins (Honda), Bruce Anstey (Valvoline Padgetts Honda) and Lee Johnston (East Coast Construction/Burdens BMW) completed the top ten.

Dan Kneen’s stand in in the Mar-Train Yamaha squad, Jeremy McWilliams caused a minor sensation after posting 11th fastest time on his first ever laps of the superfast 8.9 mile Triangle circuit on the R1 Yamaha.

“I run into traffic or I think I could have been higher up the order.” the 51 year old said.

“Everything happens so fast out there on one of these superbikes as you approach Station at 190mph. The onboard television cameras don't do justice to the speed. It is scary and requires a huge amount of concentration.”

GearLink Kawasaki’s Alastair Seeley finished a massive 3.8 seconds faster than Ian Hutchinson (Came BPT Yamaha) in the Supersport qualifying session with Martin Jessopp taking third spot on the Riders Motorcycles Triumph.

“My bike was missing a little bit as well.” Seeley said afterwards.

“I know the bike having raced with the team in the British championship in 2013 and they have given me everything that I have asked for with the bike.” the 36 year old said.

Hutchy had only ridden his R6 Yamaha for the first time at Oulton Park BSB last week before posting his runner up qualification time.

“It is great to have the good weather because it allows you to get some laps in and not be worrying about slipping off.” he smiled.

“We just need to make the bike stop better now and we wont be far away.”

“The boys said I was third and I didn’t believe them.” a surprised Martin Jessop said.

”Seeley came past at University and I couldn’t stay in his slipstream so I know that our gearing is way off.”

Jessopp topped the times in the Supertwins session on his Riders ER6 Kawasaki twin ahead of class specialists Ivan Lintin (RC Express Kawasaki) and Ryan Farquhar on his SGS/KMR Kawasaki. James Hillier (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) was fourth fastest and in form Paul Jordan (B+W Kawasaki) was fifth ahead of that man McWilliams on a second SGS/KMR ER6.

“I can’t believe that either!” Jessop said.

“I have never run the bike on a road before. The boys said to just do a few steady laps and get the fuelling right but we ended up fastest.”

Michael Rutter posted an impressive fastest time on the Bathams/SMT BMW he usually rides in the British Superstock series.

“I am well happy with that.” the 13 times North West winner said.

“It is good to be here on a bike that I ride all of the time. I can just jump on and get going with this bike because I know it but with the superbike that hasn’t turned a wheel before this week I am not sure what it is going to do.”

Rutter’s last race win at Portrush was in the Superstock event in 2012 and he believes he can win again.

“It was great to ride along the coast road in the sunshine today and see everyone at the side of the road.” the 44 year old said.

“I haven’t seen this place like that for about ten years and it felt just like the old days.”

Seeley (Briggs BMW) and Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson were second and third with Michael Dunlop fourth fastest on the MD Racing BMW.

The opening practice session of the 2016 event was brought to a premature end with just a few minutes left to run of the Superstock session when Ben Wilson crashed his EHA Aprilia at Mill Road roundabout, sustaining a broken leg in the incident.

Practice commences on Thursday morning at 10 am with roads closing at 9.15am.


WILLIAM DUNLOP CHANGES TEAMS FOR NW200.

Four time North West winner William Dunlop had been due to ride a R1 Yamaha in the superbike class at the 2016 Vauxhall International North West 200 but after a split with CD Racing the Ballymoney man will only compete in the Supersport and Superstock classes at the seaside event.

“I will race a IC Racing Yamaha R6 and the MSS Kawasaki superstock spec ZX10R.” Dunlop explained.

The 30 year old finished 9th fastest in the 600cc class and 10th on the stocker. His 182mph speed trap time was almost 5mph faster than any other machine but Dunlop says he isn’t comfortable with the new machine just yet.

“It is quick but we are struggling to get it out of corners at the moment.” he said.

“But we aren’t far away in either class and I am happy with that.”


RYAN FARQUHAR HAS FIRST RACE RUN ON TYCO BMW SUPERBIKE.

Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar was 15th quickest in superbike practice on his first race outing on the Tyco BMW S1000RR.

“The bike is really fast but we need a few adjustments.” he explained.

“We tested at Kirkistown last week and I had a good set-up for there but it isn’t working here. We need to make some changes to the chassis and to the engine braking and we are still too low geared at the moment.”

Farquhar performed slightly better in the Superstock category, posting 12th fastest time on his IEG BMW and claimed provisional runner up slot in the Supertwins class.


LEE JOHNSTON STRUGGLING WITH INJURY

Lee Johnston pulled in during the Superstock practice after banging his injured leg at Juniper.

“I was in so much pain I was crying.” The Fermanagh man said after retiring his ECC/Burdens BMW with fifth fastest time.

Johnston sustained an injured groin after suffering a high speed splits in a crash at the Scarborough Spring Cup a month ago but the winner of last year’s Superstock race at Portrush has still his sights set on race glory on Saturday.

“Once racing starts I’ll forget all about the pain.” he smiled.

Jeremy McWilliams proved he was the right choice to deputise for injured Dan Kneen today when he qualified the Mar-Train Yamaha R1M superbike inside the top dozen for the International North West 200.

Making his first competitive superbike outing in seven years McWilliams posted an average lap speed of 118.060mph to provisionally qualify 11th for this weekend’s blue riband event. Despite only managing a few last minute practice laps at Kirkistown on Monday the former grand prix star was quickly on the pace at the famous 8.97 mile triangle circuit posting a top speed of 197.5mph to qualify just ahead of road race regulars William Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar.

Earlier in the day McWilliams had posted the same result in the supersport class with a lap of 112.73mph and he followed that up with the 14th fastest time in the superstock class with a lap of 116.586mph.

Team Principal – Tim Martin

“Today has gone exceptionally well considering we had no rider 48 hours ago. Jeremy is the ultimate professional to work with and he proved he is still both fast and exceptionally fit. He completed nineteen laps today and was on his quickest lap of the day on his twentieth when the red flags came out. That lap would have put him well inside the top ten for superstock but we have another go on Thursday and it doesn’t look like there are any weather issues to worry about. The supersport and superstock bikes are pretty sorted, we have a little work to do to make the superbike better for Thursday and I think we will see Jeremy climbing that leader board even further.”

Rider – Jeremy McWilliams

“Today was good, I made a few mistakes on the six hundred on what was my quickest lap and had put together a really good lap on the superstock bike before the red flags came out with one corner to go so the timesheets could have looked a bit better at the end of the day. The bikes are good though, we need to work a little on the power delivery of the superbike but I’m really enjoying the stock and supersport bikes. It was a very busy day but I felt good at the end and would have liked a few more laps on the stock bike so riding in all the classes isn’t an issue. I know where both the bikes and I can improve so I’m looking forward to Thursday to see where we end up.”

Final qualifying takes place on Thursday between 10am and 3pm and is followed by the first supersport, supertwin and superstock races later in the evening.