Dundrod 150 superbike race

The Dundrod race circuit in Northern Ireland has re-asserted itself as the fastest road race circuit in the world today when Conor Cummins lapped at an unbelievable speed of 133.282mph in Thursday afternoon’s Dundrod 150 Superbike race.

The Manxman had already lapped in excess of 132mph during practice, comfortably quicker than John McGuinness’ lap record of 131.717mph from 2007, but officially broke the record in the 6-lap race, a warm-up for Saturday’s Ulster Grand Prix, on the McAdoo Racing Kawasaki.

When told of his record breaking feats the 23-year old was the master of understatement when he said the lap was ‘pretty decent’ but later revealed, “it was bloody hectic out there and the pace was unreal.

When I was leading, I wasn’t sure of what pace to go at so just went as fast as what I thought was necessary. Then Guy and Hutchy came by and it upped the pace a bit so I got stuck in. I was stronger than them from the hairpin through to Quarry Bends so I used that to my advantage.

Even though it was so close, it was a good clean race and everything just clicked – it feels pretty good to have lapped at 133mph!”
The race saw a terrific 5-way battle in the early stages as Cummins set the early pace from Ryan Farquhar (out on his Superstock machine), Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey and Hutchinson and on lap 2 all five broke the old lap record.

By lap 3 Martin had hit the front with a lap of 132.244 but Hutchinson had gone quicker at 132.518mph as he moved through the pack and there was still less than 2 seconds separating the five riders.

A lap later Martin continued to lead and it was Anstey who then went quickest at 132.541mph, the difference between first and fifth now just 1.2seconds!
Going into the last lap, Martin continued to lead but Cummins was back up to second, having overhauled Hutchinson at the hairpin, and drafted by the Hydrex Honda rider along the flying kilo to hit the front once more.

From there he was never headed and he was able to take the win from Hutchinson, who also lapped above 133mph on the final lap, Martin, Farquhar and Anstey, the latter two dropping back slightly in the final third of the race.

There were just 0.99 seconds between the leading trio at the line with the average speed for the six laps being a mighty 131.445mph.

Race Result
1 Conor Cummins (McAdoo Kawasaki) – F.Lap 133.284mph
2 Ian Hutchinson (Padgetts Honda) – F.Lap 133.060mph
3 Guy Martin (Hydrex Honda) – F.Lap 132.532mph
4 Ryan Farquhar (KMR Kawasaki) – F.Lap 132.402mph
5 Bruce Anstey (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) – F.Lap 132.543mph
6 Gary Johnson (Robinson Concrete Honda)
7 Ian Lougher (Blackhorse Yamaha)
8 Michael Dunlop (Street Sweep Yamaha)
9 Adrian Archibald (AMA Racing Suzuki)
10 William Dunlop (CD Racing Yamaha)