Bray Hill Blues; visor issue costs Dunlop as Hicky wins 14th TT

If Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum decide to make a movie based on the TT, their script writer will have to be very special to better the script written by the hand of fate for the Superbike TT. The weather was just about perfect; increasing amounts of sunlight breaking through the thin, high cloud, light breezes; cool temperature and we had a perfectly dry track.

The race started on time; the great John McGuinness (Honda) was the first to power away to the plunge down Bray Hill.  Jamie Coward (KTS Steadplan Honda) was next; hoping that late changes would solve a handling problem. The perennially fast starting Dean Harrison was next on the Honda Racing Fireblade; that had been giving front end handling problems when the fuel load lightened.

In what seemed no time at all the first riders reached the timing beat at Glen Helen. It was Davey Todd on the Milwaukee BMW who was quickest over the 9 miles from the start; he led by 0.4s from Peter Hickman on the FHO BMW; with Dean Harrison 3^rd, 0.66s behind. Michael Dunlop (Hawk Honda) was 4^th; Josh Brookes 5^th on the second FHO BMW and James Hillier 6^th on the WTF Honda. For Brookes the race was over at Handley’s due to machine problems. At Ballaugh, Todd led by 0.166s from Harrison with Dunlop 3^rd, 1.42s behind. Hickman, Hillier and Jamie Coward completed the top 6.

There were a smaller number of spectators than is usual at May Hill. The conditions were ideal as John McGuinness charged between the walls and onwards to White Gates. Dean Harrison was next, having already taken the 10s starting difference out of Jamie Coward (Steadplan Honda). Michael Dunlop and James Hillier were next as the riders provided a fine spectacle for the spectators gathered to watch the action. The timing beam at White Gates showed that Davey Todd led by 1.19s from Harrison with Dunlop 3^rd; just 0.8s behind. Hickman, Hillier and Coward filled the leader board.

With a lap at 134.417s Todd led the race by 2.254s from Dunlop (134.118mph) as they started lap 2. Harrison (134.048 mph) was third, only 0.525s down on Dunlop. Hickman, Hillier and Coward completed the first 6. Conor Cummins (Milenco Padgett Honda) held 7^th, McGuinness 8^th, Davo Johnson 9^th; all lapped at over 130mph. Mike Browne set the best lap ever by an Aprilia with his 129.489mph.

It was tight at the sharp end; Todd led by 1.52s from Dunlop at Glen Helen, Harrison was 3^rd, with Hickman 4^th. They were over 19s ahead of Hillier who had Coward 2.3s behind him. Dunlop seems to be the master of the section to Ballaugh; he led there by 0.51s from Todd. Hickman was third; with Harrison 0.855s behind him. Lap 2 gave more fine action at May Hill where it was obvious that Dunlop had pulled the pin; he led by 4.45s and was on Superbike lap record pace. Hickman held 3^rd 1.87s down on Todd. Harrison; Hillier and Coward completed the top 6.

A sector record time allowed Dunlop to lead by 6.62s at the Bungalow.  A Superbike lap record of 135.543s gave him a lead of 9.2s over Hickman (134.701mph) as they came in for the first fuel stop. Todd lapped at 133.98mph to be just 0.416s behind Hickman. Harrison, Hillier and Coward completed the top 6; with McGuinness 7^th. Mike Browne in 9^th put his Aprilia around at 129.918mph; so near to the first 130mph lap for rider and bike.

Dunlop reached Glen Helen with a 9s advantage over Todd. Hickman had been dropped to third by a relatively slow pit stop. Harrison was 4^th with Coward 5^th; just 0.3s ahead of Hillier. As they passed us at May Hill; Dunlop led on the road and by 14.64s from Todd; with Hickman 4.04s adrift in 3^rd. A lap speed of 128.139mph gave Dunlop a lead of 17.316s from Todd; with Hickman 4.1s down on Todd. Harrison, Coward and Hillier completed our top 6.

Glen Helen on lap 4 saw Dunlop’s lead up to 17.6s and Todd 7.24s ahead of Hickman. When he powered up May Hill, Dunlop had a lead of 22.6s from Todd; who was now 6.24s ahead of Hickman. Harrison was far from out of the equation being just 2.75s down on Hickman.

Entering pit lane for the second fuel stop, a lap at 135.235mph gave Dunlop a lead of 25.135s from Todd. Harrison also lapped at over 135mph, and this had allowed him to grab third by 2.06s from Hickman. As Dunlop was about to leave it was noticed that his new visor had not clicked into place properly. To be able to attach it properly he had to stop on Bray Hill; take it off; take his gloves off; effect correct attachment; then put everything back on. This cost him over a minute. There were groans from the spectators as this was announced on Radio TT. Todd’s prospects were seriously damaged when his machine would not re-fire immediately and required a lengthy push down pit lane. For Harrison and Hickman there were no such problems.

At Glen Helen we had a new race; Harrison led by 11.17s from Hickman, Todd was 10.14s further back in third; with Dunlop 19.66s down in 4^th. John McGuinness was up to 5^th, with Hillier 6^th. Dunlop and Todd were on a mission; Dunlop set a sector record on the run to Ballaugh; with Todd just 0.3s slower. They aced the run to Ramsey; this time it was Todd who claimed the record. Dunlop used every inch of the road on the exit of Cruickshank’s Corner; whilst Todd did the same going out of White Gates. Hickman set a personal best to lead the race by 1.45s from Harrison as he passed us. Todd was the fastest on the mountain climb to edge closer to the leaders.

Hickman’s lap at 127.948mph gave him a lead of 2.097s over Harrison as they went past the Grandstand at full speed.  We had four of the finest of their generation battling for glory; the expectation was that the lap record set earlier in the race by Dunlop would be blown into the weeds. Sector best times were the order of the day for the leading group; with Dunlop setting the new sector record to Glen Helen. Hickman was fastest to Ballaugh; where he led by 6.516s from Harrison. Todd had cut his deficit to Harrison to 1.28s; meanwhile Dunlop was over 20s behind him with just 19 miles to go. The top riders were superb through Cruickshanks and White Gates; using all of the road in a dazzling display of skill and courage. Starting the mountain climb Hickman led 8.52s from Todd who was 0.9s ahead of Harrison. Dunlop was the fastest of all; but he was not going to secure a podium finish.

Hickman’s last lap of 135.534mph gave him his 14^th TT victory by 5.84s from Todd (135.664mph); with Harrison (134.335mph) taking the final podium finish. Dean will be happy with the progress made with the new Fireblade since the start of practice. Dunlop set a new Superbike lap record at 135.970mph to show what should have been. The TT can be cruel; yesterday’s euphoria replaced by bitter disappointment. He will take comfort from the fact that with a trouble free run he would have won; he will the man to beat in the Senior. Another fine ride took James Hillier to 5^th and let him gain revenge (for snatching a NW podium place) on John McGuinness who was just 2.887s behind him after 6 laps of the toughest road racing on the planet. Jamie Coward took 7^th, his last lap at 132.696mph shows that he is making progress with his new Fireblade. A wonderful ride saw local TT debutant Marcus Simpson take 12^th in his first ride on the course on a 1000cc machine. Other locals had ill luck, Conor Cummins and Mikey Evans forced to retire whilst Ryan cringle had an off at Waterworks; thankfully without injury.

This race will live in memory for a very long time; it saw Michael Dunlop set two new laps records yet fail to take a podium place. If the Senior Race can come close to this; it too will be very special.