Michael Dunlop won a thrilling Okells Junior Race in today’s Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts, the opening race of the day.

The debate on the start line was focused on the impact of refuelling but ultimately it didn’t prove decisive with Dunlop, who pitted at the end of the second lap prevailing over Rutter, who didn’t.

The Northern Ireland rider clawed back a deficit of over thirty seconds to take the chequered flag in a new race record for the class of 103.061 (1:27.51.735) for the class, beating Chris Palmers time set in 2013 by over a minute.

Michael Dunlop in the winner’s enclose later revealed that:

“The first couple of laps we had a bit of a problem with the throttle but I kept pushing harder and harder. I didn’t think someone as fat as me could win a race like this. I backed off a bit on the last lap once I’d got back in front.”

Michael Rutter clearly enjoyed the race, despite being pipped on the last lap and said:

“I rode the wheels off the Honda but couldn’t do anything about Michael. I could see the boards coming down but didn’t want to over rev the Honda. I saw Michael’s face smiling at me on the last lap. It was a brilliant last lap and an awesome race. I kept Michael in the slipstream but couldn’t beat him on speed.”

Ex GP World Champion Freddie Spencer got the race underway on time at 10.15 with Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson advising that conditions were excellent with good visibility all round the course apart from damp patches at Glen Helen, Ginger Hall and Ramsey Hairpin.

Dunlop, who topped the qualifying board on the Black Eagle Racing MV Agusta with 102.567, undoubtedly started favourite but Jamie Coward on the Ted Woof Honda Craven K4, brother William riding a Davies Motorsport Honda, Classic Racing specialist Alan Oversby on the Davies Motorsport Honda and last year’s race winner Michael Rutter on the ’72 Ripley Land Racing K4 Drixon Honda all posted 100+mph laps in qualifying.

As expected Michael Dunlop lead at the opening checkpoint by seven seconds from Rutter but there was disappointment for brother William who retired at Ballacraine on the opening lap. Coward held third place by 2 seconds from Oversby with James Cowton riding a ’62 Honda completing the top five and Cameron Donald, riding the Ripley Land Racing AJS was back in sixth almost ten seconds behind Coward.

Dunlop moved ahead of Rutter to lead on the road by Ramsey by over ten seconds but behind the leading pair Donald moved into the top five when Cowton retired on the run into Kirk Michael on the opening lap.

Dunlop maintained his ten second lead with his opening lap of 103.775/ 21:48.864 from Rutter (102.913/ 21:59.836) who in turn had a lead of over 27 seconds from third placed Jamie Coward (100.818/ 22:27.253). Oversby (100.458/ 22:38.31) and Donald (97.794/ 23:08.923) completed the top five with veteran campaigner Dave Madsen Mygdal on the Team Gimbert Racing Honda holding sixth a further 9 seconds back on the fifth placed rider.

While Dunlop was powering ahead at the front of the field on the second lap, his Black Eagle Racing teammate Dean Harrison was reported to have clutch problems and the Bradford rider duly retired in the pits at the end of the opening lap.

Rutter edged back in front of Dunlop on the road at Cronk-ny-Mona, reducing the deficit to under ten seconds in the process, and with Dunlop coming into the pits at the end of the second lap and Rutter running straight through, Rutter’s lead was over 35 seconds at Glen Helen on the third lap.

Coward (102.087), Oversby (101.728) and Donald (100.209) also ran straight through at the end of the second lap with the deficit between Coward and Dunlop reduced by Dunlop’s pit stop. Oversby maintained his fourth place, ten seconds off the final place with Donald over a minute behind Oversby completing the top five.

However, Dunlop was clearly on a charge on the third lap and Rutter’s lead was down to 23 seconds by Ramsey. Coward was reported as a retirement at Kerrowmoar, which saw Oversby slot into the final podium position, Donald up to fourth and Dan Cooper move into the top five.

Rutter lead was only fourteen seconds going into the last lap and was down to four seconds by Glen Helen. The Northern Ireland racer duly moved into a two second lead by Ballaugh Bridge, moved in front of Rutter on the road and took the chequered flag by 10.053 seconds from Rutter. Alan Oversby’s last lap of 101.116/ 22:23.294/ clinched third place in an overall time of 101.340/ 1:29.21.268 with Cameron Donald fourth in 98.844/ 1:31.36.622 and Dan Cooper (98.012/ 1:32.23.348) completing the top five.

Alex Sinclair on the SCS Racing Drixon Honda took the prize for leading privateer finishing 7th overall in 97.531/ 1:32.50.684. Maria Costello followed up her third place in the Bennetts Senior by winning the Phil Read Classic TT Trophy as the first 250cc to finish, overcoming losing four minutes at the start that saw her pushing the machine from the start line when it didn’t fire to finish in 19th overall with 90.755/ 1:39.46.570.

Cameron Donald on the Ripley Land Racing AJS, took the Peter Williams Trophy fashioned using a genuine titanium con rod from the original Wagon Wheels Matchless Arter. The trophy was awarded to the highest placed AJS or Matchess in the Senior and Junior, with Cameron’s 4th place beating Hefyn Owen’s 11th from Saturday’s Bennetts Senior Classic TT Race.

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A great pub in Bedfordshire... ideal to head to for good food, drink, entertainment and even to stay over! Motorcyclists are very welcome at this beautiful free-house village pub and hotel, situated in Barton-le-Clay. A modern twist to a traditional Pub, (no tv’s, pool tables and fruit machines) The Bull offers a range of traditional English food to suit your taste and pocket.   Popular with locals and travellers alike and a good base for exploring the surrounding area, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and great hospitality. Local attractions include Bletchley Park, the Shuttleworth Collection, Castle Ashby, Whipsnade Zoo and Silverstone. Enjoy all-day breakfast, various burgers and steaks, pie of the day, specials, a la carte and a Sunday Carvery with a choice of succulent hand carved roast meats. Stay over in comfortable and modern en-suite rooms and enjoy the food and beverages of The Bull without having to get geared up and head out in search of sustenance! A function room for meeting or groups of up to 100 people and various entertainment includes an Acoustic Lounge, Live Music, Comedy and Quiz Nights. Free Wi-Fi. Private parking, with CCTV and security systems. www.thebullbarton.com	A great destination for the motorcyclist - the Tayside Hotel in Perthshire ... Centrally located just of the A9, next to the River Tay in the village of Stanley.  Close to Perth and the towns of Kenmore, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and Killin, the famous Speyside region with its many renowned distilleries and onwards to Stirling, Inverness, Glencoe. A family run hotel, offering quality home cooking and comfortable accommodation in 14 bedrooms, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and genuine warm hospitality. After a days exploring return to enjoy a varied menu using the highest quality local produce, sourced from some of Scotland's best known suppliers. Bar lunches, suppers, formal dinners and Sunday lunch are served. The Fishermans Bar is the hub of the Hotel and it is here that visitors, fishers, shooters and golfers alike discuss the successes of the day while enjoying a pint of ale or a choice of around 30 single malts from across Scotland! An ideal location for an overnight stop or as a base to explore the area. Free Wi-Fi. Drying room and Motorcycle washing facilities. Private parking.     www.taysidehotel.co.uk	BMF Scotland Rally 23rd - 25th September After the success of 2015 Rally, more and better things at the 2016 Rally... Live music on Friday and Saturday night with Alma Fiera and the Signs. Disco by Trog. Ride out on Saturday to East Fortune Airfield home of the National Museum of Flight. The 2nd Rally held to replace the Kelso Bikefest Rally. venue: Stair Arms Hotel, Pathead, Midlothian, Scotland, EH37 5TX. On the A68 south of Dalkeith and Edinburgh. price: £14. Price includes a nip of whisky on arrival and a BMF Scotland Rally badge. www.bmf.co.uk facebook event For further information, contact Tom at [email protected]

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Motorcycle Live, the UK’s biggest bike show, is the ultimate day out for families with a passion for motorcycling – and with a new pricing structure that means a family of four can get in for less than £50, it’s never been better value for money.

The all-inclusive ticket provides FREE access to everything that Motorcycle Live has to offer, so visitors of all ages can check out the live stage entertainment, seek autographs from their racing heroes, climb aboard the shiny machinery on display and experience the awesome FMX Live freestyle motocross show presented by Arenacross, all without paying anything extra.

There are also eight FREE opportunities to ride a bike, including three that cater for children and teenagers. For the youngest of budding bikers, Kiddimoto returns to Motorcycle Live with its award-winning balance bikes on the inflatable Children’s Fun Track. For something with a bit more kick, Kuberg will be supplying a range of its electric off-road machines for the Kuberg MX Experience presented by MCF. Meanwhile, older teenagers can have a 20-minute motorcycle lesson at the Two Wheel Taster supported by Get On.

Motorcycle Live 2016 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 19-27 November. Advance tickets are on sale now, priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under (accompanied by a paying adult). There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a Spada bag worth £29.99**.

To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk. 

Stormin' The Castle  

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Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend Party & London Ride-Out

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Grampian Motorcycle Convention

Mike Ellis Memorial Run 2016

Route 59 Ride Out

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See more details and more events see here -

www.thebikerguide.co.uk/motorbikeeventsseptember.html

Twenty-three time TT Race winner John McGuinness, riding the Team Winfield Paton, won his first Classic TT Race in today’s Bennetts Senior Classic TT Race on the Isle of Man. The Morecambe rider, who has retired in his three previous attempts, set a new lap record of 113.342mph and race record in the process.

McGuinness and Dean Harrison, on the Black Eagle Racing MV Agusta, were separated by fractions of a second on the opening two laps before a decisive late pit strategy by Team Winfield eventually saw McGuinness take the win by twenty seconds.

Speaking from the winner’s enclosure at the end of the race, McGuinness said:

“We’ve been trying hard for the last four years which have been really frustrating but we’ve got it now. It was nip and tuck all the way with the young fella. I thought I might be able to get a lead and ease off but no chance. It’s been mega, I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve had to really learn to ride the bike, keep the momentum. It’s like riding a 250 round here.”

The sunshine came out on the Isle of Man for the first race day for the Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts and conditions were reported as dry all round the course.

John McGuinness was first away at 11.30am and was first on the road to Glen Helen and on time at the first checkpoint at Glen Helen, establishing a lead of 1.5 seconds from his nearest rival Dean Harrison, who won the corresponding race in 2015 with Maria Costello tucking into third a further seven seconds behind Harrison. McGuinness’s Team Winfield team-mate Conor Cummins on the second Paton was holding fourth with Alan Oversby on the Davies Motorsport Honda fifth, fifteen seconds behind the leaders.  

At the front of the field a close battle was developing between McGuinness and Harrison with Harrison edging in front at Ballaugh, only 0.162 ahead of McGuinness with Maria Costello maintaining third place but with the gap already extended to seventeen seconds from the leading pair.

Conor Cummins was reported to have retired at Quarry Bends which saw Michael Rutter on the Ripley Land Racing Matchless moving into the top five at Ramsey where Harrison had extended his lead to 0.3 seconds while Ian Lougher, riding the late entry John Chapman Racing RC181 Honda was reported to have retired at Union Mills on his opening lap.

McGuinness set a new lap record for the class on the opening lap 112.043 (20:12.289), which he held for less than a minute with Harrison clocking 112.077 (20:11.094), giving the Bradford rider a lead of 0.366 seconds. Maria Costello held third place with her opening lap of 107.499 (21:03.530) but was already over 50 seconds behind the leading pair.

That remained the top three at the end of the second lap, but with Harrison having opened up a lead of over a second earlier in the lap, McGuinness ate into the lead and set a new lap record of 113.342mph (19:58.394) for the class.

With Harrison slowing down coming into the pits, posting a second lap of 112.830/ 20:03.826, McGuinness established a lead of five seconds at the Grandstand at the end of the second lap with Costello third with her second lap of 107.846/ 20:59.462.

Meanwhile Rutter had moved up into fourth place by Ballaugh on his second lap ahead of fifth placed Oversby. However, it was clear that Rutter had machine issues as he came in to the pits and he duly retired at the end of the second lap.

Harrison’s pit of 46.973 seconds put the Yorkshire rider almost a minute behind McGuinness at Glen Helen on the third lap. Alan Oversby, like McGuinness, elected to run straight through at the end of his second lap, and edged in front of Costello on corrected time.

McGuinness came in to the pits at the end of the third lap, with a ‘splash and dash’ stop of 40.218 seconds which meant that his lead over Harrison was down to just over twenty seconds at Ballaugh on the last lap once the pit stops had unravelled. However, the Morecambe rider maintained the gap with a last lap 108.196/ 20:55.385 to win his first Classic TT Race title by twenty-one seconds in a new race record of 111.559mph/ 1:21.10.189/ from Harrison (111.070/ 1:21.31.627).

With Oversby coming in to the pits at the end of his third lap Costello duly moved back into the final podium place, which she clinched with a final lap of 108.686, which gave her an overall race time of 106.799/ 1:24.47.253.

James Cowton, due to start 19, set off from the back of the field on the Dave Kennah Racing Norton following machine issues, made a huge effort to get to 6th place before retiring on his third lap at Signpost Corner.

Dom Herbertson finished as the leading privateer in 6th place on the Herbertson Racing Honda in a time of 104.499mph/ 1:26.39.213.

Hefyn Owen riding the Owen Racing 500 Matchless is currently the leading contender for the Peter Williams Trophy, which was created by Rob Ianucci, an enthusiast for AJS and Matchless race bikes made from a titanium conrod from the iconic ‘Wagonwheels’ machine.

The trophy is awarded to the highest placed AJS or Matchless rider in either the Junior or Senior Classic TT races. All eyes will be on Monday’s Okells Junior Classic TT Race to see if Owen’s 11th placed finish proves decisive.

There are still race day tickets available for Classic TT on Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickes phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011 or visit the Duke Shop behind the Grandstand.