DAN KNEEN AND JOHN BARTON POST THEIR FASTEST TIMES OF THE WEEK AS MGP CLASSIC SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING HOTS UP

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Riders were again able to enjoy good conditions on the Mountain Course for the fifth qualifying session of the 2012 Manx Grand Prix Races although damp patches were reported at Black Dub, Lambfell and Governors Dip.

Dan Kneen posted his fastest time of the week in the Classic Superbike class with 112.348, just outside Russ Mountford’s fastest of the week (112.447) set yesterday while Rider liaison officer John Barton also posted his first 110mph lap of the week as he looks to emulate last year’s podium place on the 750cc Suzuki GSXR. Fellow Classic Superbike competitors Mick Godfrey on the Kawasaki and Alan Oversby on a Suzuki also posting fast laps ahead of next Friday’s much anticipated race.

Olie Linsdell topped the 500cc Classic session on his Enfield (106.470) with Roy Richardson (104.420) on the Aermacchi and Chris Palmer (104.350) on the Matchless also to the fore with Palmer also topping the evening’s Classic 250 qualifying session with 100.1 on his 349cc Honda. In the Junior Post Classic Phil McGurk topped the board with 105.160 from Peter Symes on a 250cc Honda (103.370).

James Cowton and John Simpson both posted impressive times as newcomers with Cowton posting the fastest Junior newcomer time of the week on his 600cc Honda with 113.719mph to Simpson’s 113.390. Cowton, who will riding in the Newcomers C race for 400cc machines rather than the A race on Saturday, also topped the 400’s session with 102.660.

Jamie Coward again showed that he would be the man to beat in Monday’s Junior race with the fastest time of the evening (118.220) on his opening lap, slightly slower than his fastest time of the week, although the Yorkshire rider’s luck was out on the second lap when he initially pulled in near Bray Hill. He eventually continued but was forced to pull in at Sulby Bridge giving him a long journey back to the paddock.

Keith McKay was reported off at Braddan Oak with a shoulder and rib injury and was taken by ambulance to Nobles Hospital. Daniel Crozier was taken by airmed to hospital with a shoulder injury following an accident at Kerrowmoar while Andy Wilson was treated by a Travelling Marshal but reported as OK following an incident at Tower Bends.

Pictures: Dave Kneen