Richard Britton Racing
News 2005 4th June 2005
TT Friday Practice Report
After two blank days caused by a combination of mist and rain, practising for the 2005 Isle of Man TT Races continued in sunny, if blustery, conditions on Friday night. It was the last practice session before racing proper gets underway on Saturday.
One of the first riders to leave the start, and the first retirement of the night, was Martin Finnegan who only made it as far as Quarterbridge – about a mile from the start – on his Superstock. However, Martin quickly made his way back to the Grandstand, switched to his Superbike and recorded a lap of 120.910 miles an hour which he later improved to 123.362.
New Zealander Bruce Anstey did it the other way round. He lapped at 122.705 on his Superbike, went through on a flying lap but stopped at Ballaugh Bridge on his second circuit. He then got a lift back to the start, arriving just in time to go out again on his Superstock machine, lapping at 122.611.
Nick Crowe and Darren Hope weren’t exactly hanging about either, recording laps of 110.496 and 112.585 miles an hour.
The honour of having the night’s fastest speed overall went to Adrian Archibald who recorded 124.848 on his Superbike Suzuki. He was followed by Richard Britton (124.708) and John McGuinness (124.341.)
Fastest Supersport was Ryan Farquhar’s Kawasaki at 121.924. Next in line were John McGuinness (119.734) and Richard Britton (119.714.) Ian Lougher was fastest in the Superstocks. He took his Honda round at 123.084, just ahead of Paul Hunt (122.687) and Bruce Anstey (122.611.)
In all there were 226 machines on the course during the practice session. The total was made up of 74 Supersports, 66 Superbikes, 64 Sidecars, 18 Superstocks, and four Senior outfits.
