TT 2007
John McGuinness became the star of the Centenary TT Races taking victories in the two feature races, the Superbike and Senior TTs.
With an opening lap speed of 127.804mph, in the Superbike TT, despite a few damp patches, McGuinness led Guy Martin by 4.5 seconds with Ian Hutchinson in third ahead of Martin Finnegan and Ian Lougher but the Hydrex Honda of Martin was making a fight of it and the gap had only extended by half a second at Ramsey Hairpin. However, a blistering run over the Mountain saw him break the class lap record at 128.279mph and a perfect pit stop saw his lead rocket up to 17 seconds - from here on in his lead was never under threat.
McGuinness set the Isle of Man alight in Friday’s Senior TT when he not only led the race from start to finish but also became the first man to break the magical 130mph barrier. A second lap speed of 130.354mph sent the HM Plant Honda rider into the record books once more and the win was his 13th victory in total. In a repeat of Monday’s TT Superbike race Martin and Hutchinson again took second and third positions.
Bruce Anstey claimed the 4-lap PokerStars Superstock race in record-breaking fashion. The flying Kiwi shattered the lap record from a standing start and went quicker still on the second lap (128.400mph) to take command of the race, eventually running out the winner by 40 seconds. HM Plant Honda riders McGuinness and Hutchinson occupied the second and third steps on the podium.
Hutchinson took his first ever TT victory when he claimed a dramatic and record-breaking PokerStars Supersport race by just 2.84 seconds. The HM Plant Honda rider seized control at half race distance when early leader Anstey’s Suzuki refused to fire as he left the pits and the Bingley rider needed no second invitation. The race went all the way to the chequered flag though and no less than ten seconds covered the top four with McGuinness taking second once more, this time on the Padgett’s Honda, ahead of Martin (Hydrex Honda) and Anstey. All four riders broke the old lap record with Martin taking it on the final lap at 125.161mph.
Dave Molyneux came from behind to take the opening F2 Sidecar race – his 12th win, Partnered for the first time by Rick Long, who equalled the late Wolfgang Kalauch’s passenger record of 7 TT wins, the duo overcame all their problems in practice to overhaul long time race leaders John Holden and Andrew Winkle on the final lap, winning at an average speed of 111.668mph.
The second F2 Sidecar race was equally as dramatic as Molyneux and Long claimed their second win of the week. It was Moly’s 13th win and Long’s 8th, firmly cementing their standing as the most successful driver and passenger in the TT’s history. However, it could have been so very different had Nick Crowe and Daniel Sayle not retired on the final lap.
The duo created their own bit of history as they moved the sidecar lap record to an astounding 116.667mph and they led the race by a commanding 38 seconds. No sooner had they crossed the line though their race was over with the engine expiring as they climbed Ballahutchin after exiting Union Mills.
Molyneux was glad to accept the lead and he came home over 25 seconds clear of Holden and Winkle with Steve Norbury and Scott Parnell again taking third, for a repeat of first sidecar podium.