TT 2023: Michael Dunlop sets fastest ever lap around Mountain Course with unofficial lap record in final qualifying

The Ulster rider clocked 135.531mph on the Hawk Racing Honda on his flying lap, posting a time of 16m 42.189s after a standing start lap of 134.270mph.

His previous best lap was 133.962mph, which he set on his way to victory in the Senior TT on the Hawk BMW S1000RR in 2016.

Peter Hickman remains the official lap record holder with his lap of 135.452mph set during the 2018 Senior.

It was a searing performance by 34-year-old Dunlop, who was also fastest in the Supersport (127.51mph) and Supertwin sessions on another sun-kissed day on the Island on Friday, setting an unofficial lap record on the Italian Paton of 123.474mph from a standing start.

The 34-year-old has won 21 races at the TT and is only two wins behind John McGuinness and five behind his uncle Joey’s all-time record haul of 26 victories going into Saturday’s opening Monster Energy Supersport TT.

Hickman recorded his second fastest TT lap ever on the Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW at 134.91mph on his second lap, 4.612s down on Dunlop’s time.

Dean Harrison was third fastest on the DAO Racing Kawasaki as he clocked his best lap of practice week at 134.216mph on his flying lap, while Milenco by Padgett’s Honda rider Davey Todd was fourth.

The Saltburn man did 132.194s from a standing start and is leading the charge for Clive Padgett’s team in the absence of Manx rider Conor Cummins, who is being treated in hospital for an infection.

Australian Josh Brookes impressed in fifth with a speed of 131.098mph on the Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW, while 23-time winner John McGuinness rounded out the first six on the Honda Racing UK Fireblade, lapping at 131.063mph.

Jamie Coward was next on the KTS Racing/Steadplan Honda (130.945mph) ahead of Rob Hodson on the SMT Racing Honda (129.279mph).

Banbridge man Shaun Anderson was 12th fastest in the Superbike times on the Team Classic Suzuki at 128.331mph.

In the Supersport session, Dunlop was 2.459s ahead of Harrison (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha), who did 127.216mph from a standing start.

Todd was third quickest at 127.715mph from Cork rider Mike Browne, who continues to shine for Dungannon team Burrows Engineering/RK Racing, lapping at 125.049mph on the Yamaha R6.

Hickman managed to squeeze in a lap on the Trooper Triumph by PHR at 124.842mph after he stopped on his Yamaha R7 Supertwin machine at Greeba and had to make his way back to the Grandstand, borrowing a BMW GS motorcycle from a fan to ride back.

Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan was ninth fastest on the PreZ Racing Yamaha (122.004mph) ahead of fellow Northern Ireland man Shaun Anderson (Team Kibosh Honda), who did 121.566mph.

Dunlop’s unofficial Supertwin lap record at well over 123mph was head and shoulders above everyone else in the class. He went through for a second lap on the Paton but stopped at Union Mills.

Coward was second fastest with a speed of 121.08mph on the KTS Racing/Steadplan Kawasaki, 21.748s down on Dunlop.

Browne, riding Graeme Hanna’s Paton for Burrows’ team, was third with a lap of 119.522mph ahead of Frenchman Pierre Yves Bian (119.131mph) on the VAS Engine Paton.

A handful of riders went out on their Superstock machines with Todd leading the times at 131.08mph from a standing start on the Padgett’s Honda ahead of Browne, who underscored his status as the fastest rider ever around the TT course from the Republic of Ireland with a speed of 129.664mph.

James Hillier was third on the OMG Yamaha at 129.099mph from McGuinness (128.476mph) and Michael Rutter on the Bathams BMW (126.979mph).

Jordan, a podium finisher 12 months ago, was seventh quickest at 117.455mph on the PreZ Racing Kawasaki.

In the Sidecars, Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley led the session at 117.807mph.

Race favourites Ben and Tom Birchall, who posted an unofficial lap record at 119.414mph on Thursday evening, encountered an issue with their LCR Honda and toured back to the Grandstand.

With a record-breaking qualifying week now complete, the first races take place on Saturday with the opening Monster Energy Supersport TT scheduled for 11:45 over four laps, and the first 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT (3 laps) at 14:15.