Skerries 100: Michael Dunlop tops Open Superbike qualifying times on BMW from Michael Sweeney
Michael Dunlop topped the qualifying times in the Open Superbike class at the Country Crest Skerries 100 on Saturday.
Dunlop, riding his MD Racing BMW, was 0.715s up on Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW), with Brian McCormack third fastest on his Roadhouse Macau BMW, 2.178s further behind.
Ryan Whitehall, Marcus Simpson and James Chawke completed the top six.
Dunlop is racing at the 2.92-mile Skerries course for the first time since 2018 and wore a newcomers’ bib in the opening practice session.
The 36-time Isle of Man TT winner was second fastest in Supersport qualifying behind home favourite Sweeney (EM Yamaha), who was three tenths of a second faster than the Northern Ireland rider.
Dunlop is riding a Yamaha R6 this weekend instead of the Scars/MD Racing Ducati Panigale.
The 37-year-old also topped the times in the 250cc-400cc class in a rare Irish road race outing on a 250 Honda.
He won four races last weekend at the Tandragee 100 to earn the Man of the Meeting award, taking victories in the Open, Supersport, Moto3 and Tandragee 100 races.
Dunlop is the outright lap record holder at Skerries following a speed of 111.582mph set in 2016.
He has won eight times at the famous Irish road race, one less than Skerries man Sweeney.
Roads close on Sunday at 8am with 11 races planned.