William Dunlop holds provisional pole position for the Supersport class

North West 200

• Suzuki
• NW200
• Dunlop

Tyco Suzuki’s William Dunlop holds the provisional pole position for the Supersport class after the opening day of qualifying for the International North West 200 in Northern Ireland.

Dunlop also finished fourth in the Superbike class, just one place behind team-mate Guy Martin, who posted the sixth-fastest time in the middleweight division. Dunlop and Martin were seventh and 10th respectively in the Superstock session, which was red-flagged.
William Dunlop:
“I’m pretty pleased with that for an opening day at the North West. I had every confidence we could be up there on the GSX-R600 Supersport bike but was also looking for a top ride on the Superbike. I will take fourth place happily. We had no major problems and with more time on the Superstock bike in a full session we can get well-up the grid.”
Guy Martin:
“Can’t complain too much about that. Top-three on the Superbike and well within striking distance on the 600 shows we are already competitive. The weather was mint and the circuit is in pretty-good nick apart from turn two; but it’s the same for everyone. The Superstock session was cut short but yeah, a decent first day.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“The first day here can be a bit fraught but we’ve done well considering and haven’t struggled, showing the pedigree of all our GSX-R machinery. All the bikes are well qualified; we just need some fine-tuning and to keep our mind on the job now for Thursday morning. Then we go racing, but we’re ready for it.”
Tuesday Practice Times:
Supersport:
1 William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] 4min 41.401sec/114.754mph;
2 Michael Rutter [Triumph] +1.384sec;
3 Alastair Seeley [Yamaha] +1.423sec;
4 Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.568sec;
5 Gary Johnson [Triumph] +2.288sec;
6 Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +3.116sec;
7 John McGuinness [Honda] +4.633sec;
8 Michael Dunlop [Honda] +5.735sec;
9 Josh Brookes [Yamaha] +6.499sec;
10 Bruce Anstey [Honda] +7.845sec.
Supersport Lap Record: Keith Amor [Honda] 4min 37.591sec/ 116.329mph – [Supersport Race 2 - 2010].
Superbike:
1 Michael Rutter [BMW] 4min 26.643sec/121.106mph;
2 Alastair Seeley [Kawasaki] +1.601sec; 3 Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +2.104sec;
4 William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +3.443;
5 Martin Jessopp [BMW] +5.625sec;
6 Josh Brookes [Milwaukee Yamaha] +5.805sec;
7 Bruce Anstey [Honda] +6.138sec;
8 Michael Dunlop [BMW] +6.288sec;
9 Simon Andrews [BMW] +6.736sec; 10 Lee Johnston [Honda] +6.748sec.
Superbike Lap Record: Alastair Seeley [Suzuki] 4min 24.960sec/ 121.875mph – [Superbike Race 2 – 2010].
Superstock:
1 Horst Saiger [Kawasaki] 4min 32.427sec/118.535mph;
2 Michael Rutter [BMW] +0.099sec;
3 Stephen Thompson [BMW] +0.277sec;
4 Martin Jessopp [BMW] +0.511sec;
5 Simon Andrews [BMW] +0.805sec;
6 Lee Johnston [Honda] +1.727sec;
7 William Dunlop [Tyco Suzuki] +2.331.
10 Guy Martin [Tyco Suzuki] +3.540sec.
Superstock Lap Record: Michael Rutter [Kawasaki] 4min 28.757sec/ 120.153mph - [Superstock 2, 2012].
Thursday May 15 Practice Schedule:
Practice – Roads Close 09.15hrs to 14.45hrs.
1st Session Supertwin 10.00 to 10.50hrs.
2nd Session Superstock 11.05 to 11.55hrs.
3rd Session Supersport 12.10 to 13.00hrs.
4th Session Superbike 13.15 to 14.15hrs.

Thursday May 15 Race Schedule:
Racing – Roads Close 17.15 to 21.00hrs
. Race 1 Supersport (6 laps) 18.00hrs.
Race 2 Supertwin (4 laps) 19.00hrs.
Race 3 Superstock (6 laps) 20.00hrs.

Saturday May 17 Race Schedule:
Roads close 09.30hrs.
Race 1 Supersport Race (6 laps) 10.30hrs.
Race 2 Superbike Race (7 laps).
Race 3 Supertwin Race (4 laps).
Race 4 Superstock Race (6 laps).
Race 5 NW200 Superbike Race (7 laps).
Information from Team Suzuki Press Office – May 14.