Lougher hoping for more
TT winner Ian Lougher’s hopes of better fortune at the Manx Grand Prix have yet to be answered.
The Isle of Man has been a happy hunting ground for Lougher in the past, although he had probably hoped for more from the Centenary TT – where he scored a fourth place in the Senior, fifth in the Superbike and 10th and 14th in the other races, the Supersport and Superstock.
After a good start to MGP practice week, when Lougher topped the Junior Classic times, the weather – in particular the mist – has cut short the last two sessions.
It will be a disappointment for the Welshman, who had hoped for better things back on the TT Mountain Circuit after a disheartening trip to the Dundrod track for the Ulster Grand Prix.
Lougher started the six-lap 125cc race from pole, but soon found himself lying second to Robert Dunlop. A fantastic manoeuvre put his Jackson RS125 Honda into the lead, ending the first lap four seconds ahead.
With track condition’s improving, Dunlop ate into the lead and by lap four was back in front. Louhger had to settle for second.
Lougher was hoping for wet conditions in the 1000cc Production race, to put the Fireblade on a level playing field with the rest of the machines. From the off he looked good, passing Bruce Anstey to take third. However, as the race continued the circuit dried and the tyres started to go off.
He became a sitting duck and had to settle for seventh.
While a dry line had appeared for the 600cc Supersport race, Lougher was starting from 17th and would have a battle on his hands to challenge the riders at the front. He quickly overhauled three rivals before starting a two-lap tussle with James McBride.
Eventually he broke away and closed down fifth and fourth placed riders Cameron Donald and Keith Amor. It was a dramatic three-way fight which saw veteran Lougher emerge as the victor, taking fourth place at the flag.
The first Superbike race turned out to be the final event of the day when organisers decided the rain had made conditions too dangerous.
In changeable conditions, Lougher went for heavily cut Dunlop slicks for the Stobart Vent-Axia Motorsport machine. He was quick away at the start, but clashed with fellow rider Stephen Thompson on the AIM Yamaha. Undeterred, Lougher battled on, moving up to fourth by lap two. Within minutes the rain was falling heavily and there was no way his tyres could cope with the weather, forcing him to retire.
He headed to the Isle of Man for the MGP – where he is riding the 350 and 500 Hondas of Derbyshire publican John Davis – hoping for better luck. However, it didn’t start well, he first practice was cancelled because of bad weather.
When the MGP action truly came to life on Tuesday evening, Lougher put his 350 to good use in the Junior Classic practice to top the timesheets with a 101.005mph lap, the only rider in the class to better a 100mph average.
Wednesday evening’s session was cut short before the classic machines could go out, so they were first out on Thursday evening.
Lougher took to the 500 Honda in the Senior Classic class, but got what would prove a frustrating run off to a bad start by stalling the heavy twin and needed a push-start to get it going.
After just one lap the session was red flagged as mist once again rolled in off the sea and forced the practice to be abandoned.
As the machines pulled back in, Lougher was lying 15th with an average speed of 91.64mph.
Race week should prove exciting, as Lougher will be determined to make the most of his trip to the Isle of Man.