TT2010 Superbike

The Superbike Race: A six lapper, the first race of the TT week offered a hint of an unheralded dominance at a TT by one Team. Ian Hutchinson, Padgett's Racing and Honda delivered the first of a string of successes never achieved before at a TT. I was very surprised to witness the consistent reliability of Honda machinery in the hands of Ian Hutchinson, conversely it was a TT to forget for Honda's leading rider at the TT for many years, multi champion John McGuinness, regardless of his Padgett's Racing or HM Plant sourced Hondas.

More surprises were in store, at the end of lap 2 Guy Martin riding the Wilson Craig Honda Fireblade was in second place, diving in for his obligatory pit stop Guy presumably using the on board 'pit stop limiter' nonetheless gained the ire of the pit lane speed monitor. The 'limiter and the monitoring equipment' appeared at odds to the tune of 0.112kmh!!, this extreme accuracy was measured using the bikes transponder between the start and finish pit lane white lines and resulted in Guy being given a 30 second penalty, totally absurd! Tail wind, variables in the calibration of recording equipment, tyre pressures etc. should all equate to a far greater tolerance, for example 1kmh. Post race, Wilson Craig apparently pursued the organisers regarding monitoring equipment calibration certification, ultimately Guy was awarded fourth place after an 'on track performance' that suggested a second place podium. Bottom line, there does need to be a greater tolerance in pit lane and proof that the pit limiters and speed monitoring equipment are calibrated in sympathy with one another, all to be proven during evening practice sessions, prior to race week.

THE START: Delayed by many hours due to persistent fog, the Superbike race was flagged away, selected riders are shown here...


#1: RELENTLESS SUZUKI, 1000cc SUZUKI, BRUCE ANSTEY (NZ)	#4: PADGETT'S RACING, 1000cc HONDA, IAN HUTCHINSON (UK)


#8: WILSON CRAIG RACING, 1000cc HONDA, GUY MARTIN (UK)	#9: AMA RACING, 1000cc SUZUKI, ADRIAN ARCHIBALD (NI)


#16: RIDERSMOTORCYCLES.COM, 1000cc HONDA, MICHAEL RUTTER (UK)	#68: SORRYMATE.COM, 1000cc HONDA, JENNY TINMOUTH (UK)

AROUND THE CIRCUIT: Various images captured around the circuit...


#2: JOHN McGUINNESS (UK), BALLAUGH BRIDGE	#3: IAN LOUGHER (UK), BALLAUGH BRIDGE


#4: PADGETT'S RACING, 1000cc HONDA, IAN HUTCHINSON (UK), BALLAUGH BRIDGE AND GOVERNOR'S BRIDGE


#6: CAM DONALD (AU), GOVERNOR'S BRIDGE	#8: GUY MARTIN (UK), GOVERNOR'S BRIDGE


#12: RYAN FARQUHAR (NI), BALLAUGH BRIDGE	#53: PAUL SHOESMITH (UK), BALLAUGH BRIDGE


#55: ROGER MAHER (IOM), BALLAUGH BRIDGE	#84: MARC GRANIE (FR), BALLAUGH BRIDGE

PIT STOPS: Various images of pit stops...


#1: BRUCE ANSTEY (NZ), HECTOR MAKING SURE IT'S FILLED	#4: IAN HUTCHINSON (UK), REFUEL MAN & MACHINE


#4: IAN HUTCHINSON (UK), NEW TYRE 'NOT READY'	#5: KEITH AMOR (UK), FUEL AND A NEW 'TIGHT' HELMET


#6: CAM DONALD (AU), CARE TO ENSURE FULL LOAD	#8: GUY MARTIN (UK), 0.112kmh INFRINGEMENT!


#10: CONOR CUMMINS (IOM), SLOW REAR TYRE CHANGE	#31: RICO PENZKOFER (GER), BMW S1000RR

THE ROSTRUM: Ian Hutchinson indicated both the rider and machine had the determination and reliability to pursue a great TT week. Michael Dunlop, whilst taking a good second place was totally at odds with accepting he had not won, Cam Donald recovered from an off circuit excursion and seemed very content with a third place result. Guy, well the whole Wilson Craig team were seething!!


IAN HUTCHINSON	MICHAEL DUNLOP, IAN HUTCHINSON, CAM DONALD (l to r)	BURNING AMBITION HERE!!

MORE TT2010 COVERAGE: Please continue my 'TT2010 coverage' by selecting from the following pages...

I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......