Sunshine and speed at the opening Vauxhall International North West 200 practice today.

Michael Rutter made hay in the glorious sunshine during the opening practice for the Vauxhall International North West 200 today.

The Batham’s Brewery sponsored rider topped the Superbike practice on his S1000RR BMW and finished in the top three in the Superstock and Supersport sessions.

“It is like the old days.” the 13 times North West winner beamed afterwards.

“It is a really nice way to start things off and although we have a few little issues to resolve all the bikes are going really well.” The day had not started so brightly for the Birmingham rider after a faulty battery saw his Smith’s Triumph fail to start at the beginning of the Supersport session but after a quick change Rutter eventually grabbed second spot on his first competitive outing on the British built bike.

He went on to post a 121.106mph lap on his BMW superbike to pip Alastair Seeley on the Mar-Train Kawasaki to take provisional pole in the big bike class.

“We just put the bike in the lorry after the Oulton Park BSB meeting and used the same settings for here after we changed the gearing.“ the 42 year old explained.

“If we had to race tomorrow I would be happy.”

Austrian Horst Saiger was the surprise leader in the Superstock class on the dominant ZX10 Kawasakis with Rutter slotting in behind on his stocker version of the BMW S1000RR. His team mate, Crumlin’s Stephen Thompson was third on a similar machine.

William Dunlop was the only local rider who managed to top one of the four timed sessions, taking the honours in the Supersport class on the Tyco Suzuki GSXR600.

“It was a great start to the day and it is great to have this great weather.” the Ballymoney man smiled before complaining that it was “too hot!”

“I have always been happy with the Suzuki chassis but it seems that both the Tyco boys and Metzeler have found something else for the 600 because it is really fast as a pole position around here proves.”


William’s younger brother, Michael, had a tougher day during his first outing on the ‘roads’ version of his new factory supported BMW superbike. Although the German machine was one of the fastest through the speed trap, the 25 year old had to settle for 8th place in the Superbike listings.

“We just used the session to make sure everything was OK.” he said afterwards.

“We are waiting for an electronics man to arrive to get some settings sorted. We aren’t really riding the bike yet.”

Local favourite Alastair Seeley had a few gremlins of his own with the Mar-Train Yamaha R6 and ZX10 Kawasaki. Although the Carrickfergus man has still to post a qualifying time in the Superstock category, he still managed top three placings in both the Superbike and Supersport listings.

“The weather is so good I think that I am in the Bahamas.” the 34 year old joked afterwards.

“I could have done with another couple of laps on the 600 and I did my fastest lap on the Superbike on a tyre that I didn’t really like but we are not far away with any of the bikes and after we sit down and have a good debrief we will make the improvements that we need to.”

Keith Amor unofficially blitzed James Hillier’s Supertwin lap record on the SGS KMR Kawasaki as he took pole ahead of team boss Ryan Farquhar and young team mate Conor Behan.

“I had to learn my way around again.” The Scot said after his first North West for five years.

“It is so fast here and a bit scary but I really enjoyed being back. I am under no illusions, I know that the twins races will be dogfights but I am looking forward to them.”

Macau Grand Prix winner, Ian Hutchinson, having his first UK road race ride since 2012, had an unhappier comeback after crashing out of the Supersport practice at Mill Road roundabout on his Milwaukee Yamaha R6.

Hutchinson was taken to hospital with a mangled finger but he made his way back to the track for an outing on his superbike during the final Superstock practice.

James Hiller was unhurt after sliding off his Quattro Plant Kawasaki at the Magic Roundabout but French newcomer Franck Petricola was more seriously injured after crashing his Ice Valley BMW at Primrose.

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