2011 solo champion sets new lap record on his way to first victory of the week
MICHAEL Dunlop opened his 2012 Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 account in style on Tuesday evening with a flag-to-flag victory and outright lap record in the Corlett Trophies 600cc/1000cc race.
In near-perfect conditions, the 2011 champion piloted his MD Racing Honda to top spot clocking a total time of 18 minutes 25.692 seconds (110.673mph) over the eight-lap Senior Solo Founders contest in the first race of this week’s festival. Dunlop also set a Billown course record on his way to victory, stopping the watches at 2m 15.892s (112.589mph) on his fourth lap.
Tyco Suzuki men Guy Martin and Conor Cummins filled the other two podium places, the latter man from Ramsey overtaking Ryan Farquhar on the last lap to claim third.
Behind Farquhar, Ian Lougher slotted into fifth ahead of top newcomers Jamie Hamilton and Dean Harrison.
Ivan Lintin edged out Jamie Coward on the last lap to come home first 600 in 11th.
In the evening’s other race Billown newcomer Tim Reeves and passenger Dan Sayle took the honours in the Vehicle Sourcing Centre Sidecar Race.
Reeves and Sayle came home ahead of 2009 champions Ian and Carl Bell, with Billown newcomers Ben and Tom Birchall finishing their debut race round the Southern course in third.
Full reports on both races in this week’s Manx Independent, in shops Thursday morning.
Racing continues on the Billown Course tonight, with a four more races. First off is the eight-lap Senior Race followed by the 250cc/650ccs, the first 600cc race of the week and the Junior Solo Founders 125cc/400cc/450cc contest. Roads close at 6.05pm and are due to open no later than 9.40pm.