Record-breaking victory for TT star Martin
Wednesday 09 July 2008
TT
Stars of the Isle of Man TT dominated the first race of the Steam Packet International Southern 100 Road Races.
The 4.25-mile Billown circuit in the south of the Island, which played host to the Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight TT races for the first time this year, is back in action this week for the popular southern 100 event.
At the end of the opening race on Tuesday evening - the Corlett’s Trophies Senior Solo Founders Race – the top 10 was dominated by stars and regulars from the TT races.
At the end of nine laps of racing it was Guy Martin on the 1000cc Hydrex Bike Animal Honda who took victory. Guy will have been delighted to have enjoyed some success in the Isle of Man in 2008 following his nightmare TT, where he started as one of the favourites but came away with just one podium finish and a string of retirements.
TT veteran Ian Lougher had led the early running, ahead of fellow TT stars Ryan Farquhar, Martin and Conor Cummins.
On lap two the close action continued, with the top four split by just half a second, and Farquhar putting in a 107.749mph lap.
Martin moved his way into the lead at the end of lap three, followed by Lougher and Farquhar. He managed not only to maintain that lead, but also to build his advantage and, by lap six he was 2.9 seconds ahead of Farquhar, with Lougher holding onto third ahead of young Manxman Cummins.
The next lap saw Martin set a new lap record, with an average speed of 111.15mph, and continue on his way to victory.
Farquhar, on the Harker Kawasaki, took second, with Lougher, on the Black Horse Yamaha, third and Cummins, now riding for McAdoo Kawasaki, finishing fourth.
Michael Dunlop, who made a last minute decision to ride in the 2008 TT, took fifth, followed by Mark Parrett, Victor Gilmore, Davy Morgan, Paul dobbs and Gary Carswell rounding out the top 10.
The second race of the evening, the Mann Auto Car Sales 250cc, was won by pole sitter William Dunlop, who overcame challenges from TT winners Lougher and Palmer in the early stages. By half distance the advantage at the front was seven seconds.
When the flag dropped at the end of a scintillating race William led home brother Michael, with Palmer third.