Bathams/SMT BMW veteran Michael Rutter bagged top spot in the Superstock class in today’s opening qualifying session for the 20917 Vauxhall North West 200 but was chased hard by Alastair Seeley, who was fastest in the Supersport practice to add to his sheet-topping ride in the Superbike class.
Rutter pit in a 4’24.634 to take top spot but Seeley was only 0.141s behind him with Lee Johnston in third place. The little Irishman is riding his own BMW in the class as Honda couldn’t make a Superstock SP2 available to him. Ian Hutchinson is in fourth with Dean Harrison in fifth.
Martin Jessopp ended in sixth place and 5.721s down but had previously ended the Supertwin practice in top spot. Michael Dunlop pit his own Suzuki in seventh, one ahead of Peter Hickman with William Dunlop and Horst Saiger completing the top ten.
In the 600 class, Seeley holds a 1.495s advantage over Harrison in second place with Johnston in third. Jessopp is in fourth place with John McGuinness in fifth. Ian Hutchinson was a non-qualifier but hadn’t ridden the McAMS Yamaha before today. Former British 250GP contender Phil Stead is making his debut at the North West this year at the age of 45 and finished 24th in class.
