Pokerstars Senior TT set to be a classic
The 2013 PokerStars Senior TT looks set to be an absolute classic as Michael Dunlop seeks to equal Ian Hutchinson’s incredible record of five wins in a week.
The Ulsterman has taken TT 2013 by storm setting new lap and race records in nearly every race he’s contended including a 131.22 mph lap on a Superstock machine and 128.667 on his MD Racing Supersport Honda.
With wins in the Superbike, Superstock and the two Supersport races the Ballymoney rider has already equalled the record established by Phil McCallen back in 1996 of four wins in a week but he’s eyeing Ian Hutchinson’s 2010 feat of five solo race wins in one meeting with the Senior.
On the form he’s shown so far Dunlop goes into Friday’s blue riband race as the fans’ favourite but Gary Johnson showed on Wednesday night it is far from being a foregone conclusion.
The Lincolnshire rider responded to Michael’s challenge with a practice lap of 130.162 mph on his Lincs Lifting Ltd Honda Fireblade – a clear declaration of intent for the Senior.
He might be Michael’s teammate at Honda TT Legends but John McGuinness will be making every effort to retain his domination of the premiere TT class and his new absolute lap record of 131.6708 mph in Sunday’s Superbike race shows he’s more than capable of delivering the goods.
Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald and Guy Martin are all well within spitting distance of a podium position and can’t be discounted as potential winners having all shown they have the pace to run at the front this week.
Conor Cummins and William Dunlop have been making big strides on the set up and handling of their Milwaukee Yamahas and both will be keen to put frustrations behind them and score a solid result. The chance to stand on a Senior TT podium only comes once a year.
Michael Rutter has shown great form over the past two TTs and dry conditions favour the West Midlands man. With a new personal best lap record of 129.357 mph the Honda TT Legends rider will go into the race full of confidence and his morale boosting victory in the SES TT Zero on Wednesday will only have added to it.
Dean Harrison is having a storming TT 2013 and will definitely be looking to claim places from some of the more established names. A strong finish in the Dainese Superbike race was topped by a superb fourth in the Royal London 360° Superstock so Dean will be well-up for the race on his RC Express Racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s James Hillier has shown over the last week he’s more than up to the task of a big bike TT race and with a fistful of 128 mph laps in the Superbike race he’ll certainly be in with a chance of being in the final reckoning of the Senior.
After an impressive 13th place ride on Sunday Lee Johnston will be looking for another top fifteen result, as will Aussie newcomer Josh Brookes. Brookes astounded fans with his top ten finish in the Superbike race and best lap of 127.726 mph – smashing Steve Plater’s longstanding newcomers lap record of 125.808 mph. The BSB star didn’t have such a good run on the Stocker – having to pit after just one lap with a stretched chain - he rejoined the race but had lost a great deal of time. No doubt he’ll be looking to make amends in Friday’s big race.
Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects is the second race showing of the all-new Norton SG2 machines. The V4 powered bikes had a mixed showing on Sunday with Ian mackman finishing in an excellent 18th place while Dan Hegarty was frustratingly forced to retire with a piece of gravel lodged in a brake caliper. Both will be out to prove the Norton's full capabilities on Friday.
Jamie Hamilton, Steve Mercer, Dan Kneen, Ben Wylie, Rob Barber and Brian McCormack all took top twenty results in the Superbike race so will be looking to at least equal that in the Senior but with the likes of Mark Parrett, Paul Owen, Jonathan Howarth and Paul Shoesmith knocking at the door it’ll be a fast and furious race.
The Isle of Man Meteorological Office is predicting light winds, dry roads and temperatures up to 21°C for Friday so competition is likely to be hot and fast. The question on many fans lips is will we see a 132mph lap?