John McGuinness headed straight to Limavady for physio on his injured wrist after Thursday’s qualifying sessions. The Honda Racing rider opted not to ride in the evening’s Superstock and Supersport races in order to rest in preparation for Saturday.
Dean Harrison was out of luck in Thursday’s races suffering an engine problem in the Supersport race and then a spill at Mill Road roundabout in the Supertwins event.
Ian Hutchinson could get a different motor for Saturday’s Supersport race after team principal Shaun Muir said he may be given a softer engine to help with his injured finger.
Simon Andrews may switch off all his electronic aids on the BMW Superstock bike for tomorrow’s second race…
Alastair Seeley won two races on Thursday evening to take his overall tally to 12 and move into fourth on the all-time winner’s list. Only Robert Dunlop (15) and Michael Rutter and Joey Dunlop (both 13) have more.
All three race lap records were broken on Thursday – the new record holders are Alastair Seeley (Supersport – 116.606mph), Keith Amor (Supertwin – 108.644mph) and Horst Saiger (Superstock – 121.214mph).
Despite having a rider’s briefing on Thursday afternoon, warning them not to cut chicanes, no less than 10 riders were penalised in the Superstock and Supersport races. Offenders included Gary Johnson and Keith Amor (Supersport) and Dan Kneen (Superstock) with everyone being docked ten seconds.
Peter Hickman is the best newcomer to date with a superb ninth place in last night’s Superstock race. He posted a best lap of 118.311mph defeating, amongst others, William Dunlop, Bruce Anstey and James Hillier.
Stefano Bonetti marked his return to racing in the UK with strong 16th and 18th place finishes in the Superstock and Supersport races. The Italian is making his comeback after suffering multiple injuries in a crash at the 2012 Macau Grand Prix.
Maria Costello will not take part in tomorrow’s action after a crash in Supersport qualifying left her with a ‘little broken bone’.
Both Shaun Muir and Rebecca McGuinness were late to Northern Ireland after a strike by French Air Traffic control messed up flights from various airports in the UK. Mr Muir was not best pleased...
