Classic TT: Anstey clocks fastest ever 250 lap
New Zealand's Bruce Anstey set a new lap record for the 250cc class as he powered to a commanding victory in the Sure Lightweight race at the Classic TT on the Isle of Man.
Anstey led all the way during the four-lap race on the Padgetts Honda RS250 and shattered the 1999 record set by John McGuinness, raising the bar to 118.74mph on his second lap as he pitted for fuel.
The 47-year-old, who was celebrating his second Classic TT win after his success in the Formula 1 race in 2014, had 64.4 seconds in hand over runner-up Ian Lougher, who was riding a Yamaha TZ250 for Irish team LayLaw Racing.
Phil Harvey completed the top three places on his Honda, over three minutes down on race winner Anstey.
The jubilant Kiwi said: "Ian [Lougher] was starting behind me so I wanted to make sure I got away from him so he couldn't see me. I just put my head down on the first two laps but it was so windy I was struggling with gearing. I won the last 250 TT in 2002 and now I've won this one, so it's fantastic."
Anstey is among the favourites for Monday's Classic Superbike showpiece, when he will again ride the Valvoline Padgetts YZR500 Yamaha.
Michael Dunlop, who won the corresponding race last year, topped the times in practice with a lap in excess of 125mph on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69.
