BSB » UGP: McGuinness fastest man in the world.

22 August 2007
UGP: McGuinness fastest man in the world
Not content with being the fastest man around the Isle of Man TT Course, John McGuinness became the fastest man in the world at the Ulster Grand Prix meeting when he set the fastest lap ever recorded around the 7.4-mile Dundrod circuit – the fastest road race in the world.

Riding in Dundrod 150 Superbike race, the HM Plant Honda ace was embroiled in a terrific six-man dice for the victory with positions changing all the time but in the final third of the race, John made his charge and on the sixth and final lap of the race, he shattered the lap record with a speed of 131.717mph to firmly become the fastest rider in the world.

Such was the ferocity of the race though, this amazing lap wasn't enough to win the race and McGuinness fell agonizingly short, losing out to fellow Honda rival Guy Martin by the miniscule margin of 0.056seconds.

There was only 0.356 seconds between the top three but second place, and the new world record, was a great way to start the Ulster GP Bike Week. Sadly, the weather had other ideas and torrential rain throughout Friday night and Saturday morning left the course in treacherous conditions for the feature UGP races.

After a two-hour delay, the action finally got underway at mid-day but McGuinness was out of luck in both of his first two races. Riding the Padgett's Honda this time, he had qualified in very strong second place positions for both the 600cc Supersport race and the 250cc event but he was forced out of the former on the second lap and his day got worse with an opening lap retirement in the following 250cc event due to a broken piston ring.

With the rain and mist returning, the Ulster Grand Prix Superbike race started in terrible conditions and got worse as the race progressed, so much so that the organisers had little option but to stop the race on the fourth lap. John had slipped back to tenth by this time on his HM Plant Honda as visibility became negligible and with no sign of the weather improving, the remaining two races were cancelled.

"To be the fastest man around the TT course and now Dundrod, becoming the fastest man in the world in the process, is very satisfying and shows what I can still do. Sadly, Saturday just didn't work out for me and I've got to take my hat off to the other riders for riding the way they did,” said McGuinness, “Conditions were pretty awful and with all the water running off the hills, there was a lot of puddles and mud lying on the track so I rode as hard as I felt I could - I just couldn't believe how quick the rest were going! It's a shame for Clive and the Padgett's team to leave with two DNF's so I'll be looking to give them a good result at Cadwell this weekend."

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Related Pictures

Martin in the rain at UGP - image courtesy of Simon Patterson
Hutchinson on the back wheel over Deers leap UGP - image courtesy of Alan Armstrong

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Bad Boy - Unregistered

August 24, 2007 2:21 PM

Northern Ireland seems to have the right attitude to racing. Just close a road and let the boys get on with it. I have been over a few times and think its fantastic. The North West 200 is a much better spectator event than the TT. Its incredible, 200mph on ordinary roads and raced at one of the most scenic places I've ever been. They should do more to get more of us over there. I can honestly say to anyone who likes any form of motor sport, that to miss the NW200 would be crazy. Fantastic racing great beer and really friendly people!


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