IOM TT: Donald sets first 131mph lap
Aussie fast man smashes Island lap record during evening practice
CAMERON DONALD has smashed the lap record for the TT course during the Island's penultimate practice session with an astonishing 131.457mph lap.
The Aussie took his Relentless TAS Suzuki to the stunning time, the fastest ever seen in the final moments of the evening practice session, taking a full eight and a half seconds off John McGuinness' 2007 record-setting lap of 130.354mph. Because Donald's time was set in practice it won't stand as a new record for the Island though, to get that he will have to beat McGuinness' best in one of next week's races.
It was an evening session of outright unofficial lap records with Michael Dunlop setting a new best ever time of 126.290mph on his 600 R6 Yamaha - the fastest ever lap around the course for a middleweight.
Pre-event favourite McGuinness was sidelined on his HM Plant Honda Fireblade with a misfire on the bike, so couldn't try to match Donald's 17m 13.25s pace.
Other riders who went very fast in the perfect conditions included Steve Plater who clocked a 128.982mph best with Guy Martin (128.735) and Ian Lougher, Gary Johnson and Ian Hutchinson (all over 127mph) getting quick before today's final practice session.
Fastest solo laps so far:
1 Cameron Donald (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) – 131.457mph
2 John McGuinness (HM Plant Honda) – 130.171mph
3 Bruce Anstey (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) – 130.129mph
