Classic TT: Michael Dunlop ups ante with 117mph lap on Milenco by Padgett's Honda RS250 as TT legend John McGuinness sets Historic Senior pace
Michael Dunlop raised the bar in Lightweight qualifying at the Classic TT after lapping at over 117mph on the Milenco by Padgett’s Honda.
Dunlop did two laps in qualifying on Friday afternoon, setting the fastest speed in the class so far at 117.596mph.
Qualifying commenced at approximately 13:30 BST after a three-hour delay to allow wet roads around the Mountain Course to dry.
Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson has confirmed that the evening contingency session will not be utilised.
Only a handful of riders ventured on their Lightweight machines, with the session dominated by Historic Senior and Junior machines.
Dunlop won the Lightweight race for the first time in 2025 on his own 250cc Honda and is bidding for a repeat after teaming up with Clive Padgett, who previously supplied his father Robert with 125cc and 250cc machinery in 1994.
Cork’s Mike Browne lapped at 116.639mph on the Laycock Racing Yamaha TZ250 earlier in the week, which remains the second fastest time in the class.
Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness continued to set the pace in the Classic TT Historic Senior class.
McGuinness, a former winner of the race, topped the leaderboard at 113.092mph after completing two laps on the Winfield Paton.
McGuinness, who is celebrating 30 years of racing on the Isle of Man at the Classic TT, was 20.837s up on Irishman Mike Browne (Peter Lodge Racing Norton), who lapped at 111.163mph from a standing start.
Manxman Joe Yeardsley was third fastest riding the Ruthless Racing Honda 500 with a speed of 105.052mph, with Skerries man Michael Sweeney fourth on Friday, lapping at 102.552mph on the IMS/CSC Racing Yamaha TX500.
Dean Harrison (Craven Classic Racing/Ted Woof Honda 350) led the times in the Historic Junior class at 104.373mph, which put him 14.383s clear of last year’s winner Paul Jordan (Davies Motorsport Honda 350), who lapped at 103.232mph from a standing start.
Jamie Coward was third fastest on the second Craven Classic Racing/Ted Woof Honda 350 at 102.404mph with Dominic Herbertson fourth quickest on the Nigel Haith Racing Honda 350 with a lap of 100.114mph.
Castleblayney’s Joe Loughlin remained fastest in the Ultra-Lightweight category on the G2 Technical Services Kawasaki ZXR400 with a speed of 110.31mph, which was 39.910s faster than Joey Thompson, who did 106.847mph on the EM Plastering powered by Genertech Honda VFR400.