John McGuinness continues 2011 TT preparations with strong seventh
John McGuinness enjoyed another successful weekend of racing as his preparations continue for the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The 15-times TT winner had a strong run at Oulton Park in the latest round of the National 1000cc Superstock Championship, taking the Padgetts Honda to seventh at the flag.
Morecambe star McGuinness was inside the top 10 all weekend and has moved up to seventh in the championship.
A lap of 1m 40.391s placed McGuinness seventh after first qualifying and although he was shuffled back to ninth during Sunday’s final session, he improved his lap time to 1m 40.282s and was well in touch with the top six.
McGuinness and the Padgetts team were in confident mood going into Monday’s 15-lap race and after a good first lap the fast man ever around the Mountain course enjoyed a three-man dice for ninth with Michael Booth and Luke Quigley. Booth pushed him back to 10th on lap 8, but with Howie Mainwaring crashing and team-mate Adam Jenkinson retiring on lap 12 he was promoted to eighth.
McGuinness was closing in on Quigley and, lapping comfortably quicker than his rival and faster than he’d gone in qualifying, he overhauled him on the final lap for a strong seventh place.
McGuinness said:
“I’m really encouraged by this weekend and the result was very pleasing. The bike was mint from day one and Oulton's one of my favourite circuits, so I was confident of a good result and we were strong throughout.”
“Jimmy Storrar rubbed shoulders with me at the first corner and it unsettled me a bit, whilst I also got something in my eye which made visibility a bit tricky in the early stages, but I was happy with my lap times and could see Luke was tiring whilst I still felt fresh at the end of the race so it was good to get seventh on the final lap.”
“Yes, it was a bit of shame I couldn't have gone with Booth, but it was a good seventh place and I'd say it was one of my best short circuit rides since 2009.”
“I'm feeling good on the bike and everything's working well so roll on the next round!”