2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 2 : 28/05/2019 : Results

Check out the Gallery from the 28/05/2019 Qualifying Session Here : https://tbni.blog/2019/06/02/2019-isle-of-man-tt-qualifying-session-2-28-05-2019-gallery/

Dean Harrison at TT Qualifying 28/05/2019
Dean Harrison at TT Qualifying 28/05/2019

After a glorious Monday morning and afternoon in the South of the Island at the Blackford’s Pre-TT Races in Billown the rain started pretty much as soon as the last sidecar got itself back to the paddock and that was that. Monday night’s TT Qualifying Session was cancelled.

And boy did it rain! The road back from Billown consisted of bikes parked under trees, riders frantically trying to get waterproofs on – anything thing that could offer some form shelter was utilised for man and machine. The funniest image I have taken away from the rain storm – as it was a rain storm – was four ‘power rangers,’ no offence ‘power rangers’ – off their bikes as they stood in a brick bus shelter, lids and all still on, just watching the rain bounce off the road and their machines. All in a perfect line looking like if a bus came along they would be happy to abandon their machines and just bus it back to Douglas.

The result was no qualifying and a statement that the Monday night Schedule would be held on Tuesday.

Remember ‘there is no such thing as bad weather only bad gear.’

* Does not apply to racing.

Tuesday came, and it was like the Isle of Man had shifted to the Med. It was a bit cool, but it was glorious wall to wall sunshine with not a cloud in the sky.

TT Start / Finish Line 28/05/2019

Qualifying was ‘Go.’

On the Superbikes Dean Harrison was still showing great from form Sunday and took the fastest time, lapping at 129.531mph. Conor Cummins also showing more of the same took the second spot and James Hillier was snapping at his heels, with the riders lapping at 128.088mph and 128.075mph respectively.

Superbikes Qualifying – Fastest Laps

Superstock machines were again lead by Dean Harrison at 129.336mph on his Silicone Engineering Kawasaki. David Johnson and Sam West taking the second and third spots of this session.

Superstock Qualifying – Fastest Laps

On the Supersports Peter Hickman got himself back to the top of the lists, lapping at 123.917mph on his Triumph / K2 Trooper Beer Triumph by Smiths Racing. Derek McGee brought some his of amazing Irish National talents and skills taking the second best time of the session at 122.037mph on his B & W / Diamond Edge Cuttin Kawasaki. The third fastest supersports position went to Lee Johnston on his Ashcourt Racing Yamaha with an average speed of 121.378mph

Supersports Qualifying – Fastest Laps

The last out in the session where the sidecar outfits. John Holden and Lee Cain took the fastest lap on their Silicone Engineering/Barnes Racing Honda lapping at 114.988mph. Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley took second with their Rowtec Engineering / Morris Lubricants Suzuki, Alan Founds and Jake Lowther were third fastest in their Cloud Vapers Yamaha. The times were 114.399mph and 112.352mph respectively.

Sidecars Qualifying – Fastest Laps

Check out the full detailed results here : https://www.iomttraces.com/racing/schedule/tuesday-28th-may

2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 2 : 28/05/2019 : Results

2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 1 : 26/05/2019 : Results

Due to poor weather conditions across the island on Saturday 25th May 2019 Qualifying was postponed until 26th May 2019 for an early afternoon Sunday session.

Dean Harrison was fastest on the Supersports, getting 6 laps on the sheets on his Silicone Engineering Kawasaki, his fastest coming in at 126.094mph. Michael Dunlop on his MD Racing Honda was second fastest with best average of 123.899mph Conor Cummins was third on the Malenco Padgetts Machine completing 4 laps, his fastest being 123.714mph.

On the Lightweights Jamie Coward continued his great form on his (takes a deep breath) SB Tuning / CMS / KW Electrical Kawasaki, his fastest lap coming in at 119.964mph. Another second spot for Michael Dunlop on his Paton / Paton SC-Project Reparto Cors lapping at 118.524mph. Paul Jordan continued with his great 2019 so far on his RC Express Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki posting a average speed of 117.455mph.

Check out the full detailed results here : https://www.iomttraces.com/racing/schedule/sunday-26th-may

2019 Isle of Man TT Qualifying Session 1 : 26/05/2019 : Results

Blackford Pre-TT Classic Races : Billown : 27th May 2019 Gallery

Jamie Coward storming off to his win in the 2019 Blackford's Pre-Tt Classic Superbike Race on 27th May 2019
Jamie Coward storming off to his win in the 2019 Blackford’s Pre-Tt Classic Superbike Race on 27th May 2019

I got over to the Isle of Man for the last day of the Blackford Pre-TT Classic Races in Billown, Isle of Man which takes place on the Southern 100 course.

This is a brilliant event with really good racing over small engine 250cc classes right through to Classic Superbikes and Sidecars.

If you are lucky enough to be over prior to the start of the TT it is an absolute necessary stop – three days of great multi start racing. Or even better if you are planning your trip over for the TT you really should consider factoring in an extra couple of days and take in this event.

Don’t forget the Post-TT Races – so you should maybe factor in an extra day on the end of your trip!

The gallery from this event is at the bottom of the post, be sure to click ‘Read More’ and scroll to the bottom.

Check out the Results from the 2019 Pre-TT Classic Races Here :

2019 Pre-TT Classic Results

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Up Next : 2019 Isle of Man TT Festival : SATURDAY 25TH MAY – FRIDAY 7TH JUNE 2019 :

2019 Isle of Man TT Banner

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER MOST OF PRACTICE WEEK HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND CANCELLED.

SESSIONS ARE BEING RESCHEDULED ON A LIVE BASIS BASED ON THE CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THE SAFETY OF THE RIDERS PARAMOUNT.

CHECK OUT THE BELOW LINK TO THE BLOG POST FOR FULL UP TO DATE INFORMATION AND A LIST OF LINKS TO FOLLOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS CURRENT AND VALID.

CONDITIONS AND DECISIONS ARE LITERALLY BEING MADE ON AN HOUR TO HOUR BASIS.

2019 Practice Sessions :

Qualifying runs each evening from Saturday 25th May to Friday 31st May 2019 (Excluding Sunday 26th)

2019 Race Sessions : (Subject to Change at very short notice – follow iom_tt on Twitter to stay up to update on the day).

2019 Isle of Man TT Schedule 

For full details on the Isle of Man TT Schedule click here :

https://tbni.blog/2019/01/28/2019-isle-of-man-tt-schedule-practice-and-race-programme/

2019 North West 200 : Race Results 18/05/2019

2019 NW200 90th Anniversary Banner

Before you go any further check out the previous qualifying sessions :

https://tbni.blog/2019/05/14/2019-north-west-200-qualifying-results-14-05-2019/

https://tbni.blog/2019/05/16/2019-north-west-200-qualifying-results-16-05-2019/

And Thursday’s Race Session (16/05/2019) :

https://tbni.blog/2019/05/16/2019-north-west-200-race-results-16-05-2019/

After glorious weather all week Saturday Race Day came and the good weather left.  From before 8:00am the rain set in and truthfully never really let up all day.

The result was – initially – red flags, delays, more delays, a helicopter taking down power lines (true story) and then eventually a great afternoon and early evening’s racing.

It was about 2:40pm by the time the supersports started for the third time that the schedule started to move.  The rain continued, but so did the motorcycles and we were really treated to some awesome races.

Thank goodness for the contingency legislation, which meant the roads could remain closed until 9pm.  Unfortunately we ran out of time and light to run the feature Superbike race, which was cancelled for safety reasons – and that although disappointing for all the super bike fans – made perfect sense and was absolutely the right call to make.

Here is how things panned out…

Scroll right to the bottom to get to get to the gallery for some photo candy…

 

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2019 North West 200 : Race Results 16/05/2019

2019 NW200 Banner

Before you go any further check out the previous qualifying sessions :

Thursday night brought us the first three races of the 2019 North West 200 – and what an amazing three races they were.

The weather was glorious, the clouds had broken and the sun was setting nicely out into the Atlantic Ocean, all of which set the scene for some epic road racing along our stunning Northern Irish North Coast.  

Track temperatures were hovering close to 30 degrees celsius and the wind, although still blowing was nothing more than a gentle coastal breeze.

Perfect conditions for some Thursday night road racing and things all kicked off with the Supersport 600cc machines, followed by some big(ish) bike action of the superstockers and finishing things off with the supertwins.

Here is how things unfolded…

North West 200 : 16th May 2019 Race Results :

Race 1 – Tides Restaurant Supersport Race (6 laps)

I said earlier on today today to watch out in this class.  I said earlier on today that Lee Johnston was definitely worth watching in this session and oh my word…  Just look what happened!

Lee Johnston takes the win from Seeley who unfortunately after 6 laps of hardcore battle with General Lee Johnston fell at the last.

Importantly he was up and walked away from his off, and hopefully he is good for Saturday, but until the unfortunate incident of Alistair Seeley coming off the bike that was a true modern day motorcycling duel!

Really thrilling racing, which finished with a red flag following the spill from the Wee Wizard.

Seeleys crash.

There was a different crash at Church on last lap. Not massively serious.
#NW200 pic.twitter.com/5Voix6wwzU

— @AHardyBreed (@AHardyBreed) May 16, 2019

An unlucky retirement for Paul Jordan also who is having a great meeting, thankfully nothing serious for Paul, he just felt unwell.

A great start to the race session and here’s to a quick and full recovery for Alistair Seeley – we all want to see him on the Ducati on Saturday!

Race 1 – Tides Restaurant Supersport Race (6 laps) Race 1 – Tides Restaurant Supersport Race (6 laps) Race 1 – Tides Restaurant Supersport Race (6 laps)

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2019 North West 200 : Qualifying Results 16/05/2019

2019 NW200 Banner

Check out the timings from Tuesday’s Qualifying Session here : https://tbni.blog/2019/05/14/2019-north-west-200-qualifying-results-14-05-2019/

The last chance saloon – Thursday qualifying.

The final opportunity for the competitors to make the last tweaks and get themselves a qualifying time towards the front row.

Four sessions in this qualifying period lets all the classes get out for one final blast around the triangle, supertwins, superstocks, supersports and superbikes.

After an amazing sun kissed Tuesday session it is a lot more overcast today, however, importantly it is dry and nice and warm.  At the start of this session track temperature was 20 degrees celsius and bit of a head wind was slowing things ever so slightly – everything is looking good and once again here is to a safe, enjoyable and fast session.

North West 200 : 16th May 2019 Qualifying / Practice Results :

Supertwin Second Qualifying

Right at the start of the session was a little bit of drama for Jeremy McWilliams sliding off at Magherbouy Chicane.  McWilliams has registered a qualifying time, but probably won’t have completed enough laps to qualify for the racing – so it will all come down to the Clerk of the Course to use their privilege in determining whether he will be allowed to take the grid.

Derek McGee has shown his excellent form again this morning getting himself to the top of today’s session, second overall.  Looks like his form in the Nationals wants to transfer into the Internationals.

Glen Irwin also started with a what looks like a new fire in his belly.  He sounded very down on Tuesday, but has started today with a bit of venom, just over 1/10 of second off Derek McGee’s top time for the day.

Jamie Coward finished third for the day but took the overall top spot.

2019 NW200 Supertwin Second Qualifying 2019 NW200 Supertwin Second Qualifying 2019 NW200 Supertwin Second Qualifying

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Metzeler Tourance : Long Term Review

Metzeler Tourence Long Term Review

Metzeler Tourance : Long Term Review :

When I got my 2010 BWM R1200GS Adventure (in September 2016) it came with the stock tyres (I believe they were an optional extra – but they were fitted by BMW Motorrad) – a pair of Continental TKC80. Basically they are ‘knobblies.’

That’s fine, ‘knobblies’ have a very real purpose, but let’s be honest most R1200GSA riders don’t need them – note I said most. If we are being even more honest I also think it is safe to presume that most customers who put these on their R1200GSA are doing so cosmetically – they look cool. Again, note I said most.

I hated them.

They were noisy, bumpy and (for me) I felt they really lacked grip which meant I lacked confidence on the tarmac. I have no doubt if you were on something a little less solid than road worthy tarmac then they would excel, but for mainly road use – they simply were not for me.

I concede that they look cool, but I am well past the stage of wanting a tyre that looks cool – I just want it to stick really nicely to what is underneath that tyre – for me that is 95% tarmac.

So the first thing I did was change them and I opted for a set of Metzeler Tourance.

Continental TKC80 v Metzeler Tourence on a BMW R1200GSA
Continental TKC80 v Metzeler Tourance on a BMW R1200GSA

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2019 North West 200 : Qualifying Results 14/05/2019

2019 NW200 Banner

The first International Road Race is here and it is the 90th Anniversary of Northern Ireland’s Largest Sporting Event – The 2019 International North West 200!

The weather is looking glorious for the week ahead and this morning into the afternoon brought us the first of two practice sessions.  

Everything from the newcomers to the Superbikes was catered for and here is how things sit after the first qualifying session.

Times will quicken as the teams do a bit of chopping and changing, maybe a little tinkering and tweaking, but things will get quicker and with the sun shining here’s to a massive 90th Anniversary and to a safe and enjoyable event for all riders, teams, marshal, spectators, me and you!

North West 200 : 14th May 2019 Qualifying / Practice Results :

Newcomers Free Practice

You’ll recognise these guys because for today and Thursday’s Practice Sessions they will be wearing orange bibs.  Keep an eye on them them, stars of the future are in here!

2019 NW200 Newcomers Free Practice Qualifying 2019 NW200 Newcomers Free Practice Qualifying

Supersport First Qualifying

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