Dunlop achieves its 2016 Isle of Man TT objectives

Dunlop Tyres reaffirmed its status as the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of the Isle of Man TT, leaving the Island with three victories; Superbike, TT Zero and Senior TT, two race records, and the absolute lap record on two and four wheels.

Going into race week with the objective of creating the 133mph club, Saturday’s opening race, the RST Superbike race, saw Michael Dunlop (Hawk Racing BMW) demonstrate the performance of the Dunlop race tyre with a 133.369mph lap from a standing start. His next lap was even faster, a time of 16:58.25, and an average speed establishing the absolute record.

John McGuinness took third for Honda Racing, a record-breaking 45th TT podium, with Peter Hickman (GBMoto Racing Kawasaki) just outside the podium places, a career-best fourth with a 132.465mph lap.

A great start to day two saw Michael Dunlop cross the line second in the Monster Energy Supersport TT race, although he was later excluded for a technical infringement. Four of the top seven finishing positions were taken by Dunlop-shod riders. Just outside the podium spot Conor Cummins (Valvoline Racing by Padgett’s Motocycles) finished fourth, ahead of 23-time TT winner John McGuinness (Jackson Racing Honda) and East Coast Construction Triumph racer Lee Johnston.

In Superstocks, John McGuinness took sixth after the fastest pit stop of the race, just ahead of Cummins, with David Johnson on the Norton ninth, and Steve Mercer tenth.

Wednesday brought another win and podiums for Dunlop riders on a day when early morning mist caused disruption. The second Supersport race, delayed by two hours, saw Dunlop-shod riders occupy five of the top eight places, including a podium finish for Michael Dunlop.

Bruce Anstey recovered from a tumble in practice week to take Dunlop’s third successive SES TT Zero victory, taking the lead from his Team Mugen team-mate McGuinness who suffered a temporary technical issue, and subsequently finished fourth.

The Isle of Man TT’s blue riband race, the Poker Stars Senior TT took place on Friday despite a delay of two hours. Michael Dunlop’s opening lap was inside the Senior TT lap record, just shy of his own absolute record set in Saturday’s Superbike race. Consistently setting fastest sector times over the opening lap, he went even faster on lap two. Pitting for new Dunlop tyres he still managed to smash his own record to the cheers of the massive crowd, to record a 133.962mph lap record.

On four wheels, the Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC race tyre took Mark Higgins to a record-breaking lap, smashing the existing record by 23 seconds in the Prodrive-built and developed Subaru WRX STi. The triple British Rally Champion broke the 2014 record, set on Dunlop road tyres, on Saturday, and shaved another 15 seconds off that on Monday to take a 128.73mph lap in a time of 17m 35.139s.

As a result of Dunlop’s impressive record at the most famous road race in the world, the company has now led the way in claiming the absolutely speed records over the past few years with John McGuinness record-holder in 127, 128, 129, 130, and 131mph, Bruce Anstey and McGuinness topping 132mph in 2014 and ‘15, and now Michael Dunlop’s staggering 133.962mph lap.

“No other race event tests a motorcycle, rider and tyre like the TT. High speeds, with a combination of fast corners, blind crests and a mix of real road surfaces, make it a true test of high speed stability, grip and braking performance. Dunlop is proud to have been chosen by the winners of the Superbike and Senior TT races. It caps a successful week where we were also chosen by the top three in the EWC Portimao 12hours,” said Xavier Fraipont, Managing Director, Dunlop Motorcycle and Motorsport EMEA.

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