Manx Grand Prix: Lee Hara cracks 120mph barrier to boost podium hopes ahead of Saturday's Supersport race
Coleraine’s Lee Hara continued to shine at the Manx Grand Prix as he broke the 120mph barrier in qualifying on Friday.
Hara was second fastest in the Senior class with a lap of 120.334mph on his Parts Doc Coleraine Yamaha R6, which was only 2.419s down on Scotsman Johnny Stewart, who did 120.593mph on the LPA Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
Hara is competing at the Manx GP for only the second time after making his debut in 2025 and will be targeting the podium when racing commences on Saturday with the MGP Sportbike and Supersport races.
Speaking earlier in the week, Hara said his Yamaha was handling much better than it did 12 months ago.
“You need to focus around here and it’s 37 miles of fast corners and jumps, so it’s a big change from doing three-mile road races at home,” said the 20-year-old.
“It’s the same bike as last year, same everything, but we have better suspension this year and it’s handling far better.
“I can push harder and last year I struggled with corner speed and whatnot, but this year so far it’s looking good. Any wee changes that we need to make we’ll make them and get the bike sitting ready for the races.”
Chris Cook, runner-up last year to Donegal’s Caomhan Canny in the Senior Manx GP, was third fastest at 117.684mph on the STS Racing Kawasaki 636.
Limavady’s Graham McAleese has been in fine form and was fourth quickest on the MD/Gmac Racing Yamaha R6 with a speed of 117.315mph.
The Supersport Manx Grand Prix is scheduled for three laps at 14:15 BST on Saturday.
The first race of the 2026 festival will be the Sportbike Manx Grand Prix, also over three laps, which is due to start at 10:15 BST.
Stewart, Hara, Irish riders Liam Chawke and Andy Farrell and Eddy Wormald are among the main protagonists in the Sportbike class.
Stewart lapped at 114.997mph on his Aprilia RS660, with Chawke (Jack Reid Cars/KMR Kawasaki), Farrell (Electric Van Company by Steadplan Aprilia RS660), Hara (GW Auto Repairs Aprilia RS660) and Wormald (Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha R7) all over the 113mph mark.
Newcomer Kevin Lavery from Northern Ireland has also caught the eye on his debut, lapping at 111.29mph on Friday on the LMLR Racing/KMR Kawasaki), while McAleese recorded a speed of 110.708mph on the FAO Racing/PMCG & DMAC Aprilia.