Harrison fastest as Irwin struggles in North West opener

It was a perfect opening practice session at the 90th anniversary of the International North West 200 as the sun dazzled the north Coast.

Bradford’s Dean Harrison got off to a flyer on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki in the Superbike class as he piloted the ZX10R-R machine to the top of the timing boards. Harrison held a slender advantage from local favourite Michael Dunlop with just over half a second separating the pair.

Carrickfergus rider Alastair Seeley was third fastest on day one and looks to have got to grips with the PBM Be Wiser Ducati V4 machine as he was only 1.6 seconds off the pace. Lee Johnston, Peter Hickman and James Hillier completed the top six.

Seeley was fastest in the Supersport class as onboard the EHA Racing Yamaha R6. Seeley finished the session fastest with little over a tenth of a second separating him from Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston. Michael Dunlop was third in the standings on the MD Racing Honda with Harrison and Hickman rounding out the top six.

Jamie Coward was fastest in the Supertwin practice session as he finished top of the pile on the KTS Racing Kawasaki. He was pushed all the way by veteran Michael Rutter who finished 0.2 seconds behind Coward with Christian Elkin completing the top three.

It was a disappointing start for Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team, whose machines were tipped for the top prior to the big kick-off. Both Jeremy McWilliams and Derek McGee had to retire from the Supertwin class with machine trouble.

Superbike champion Glenn Irwin also had a mixed opening practice at the North West. Registering a fourth in the Supertwin practice session, Irwin slipped down the timing screens in the Superbike and Superstock classes however it is predicted that the three time North West winner will be back to his best on Thursday.

The paddock can enjoy a rest day tomorrow before the action continues on Thursday with three races scheduled after practice.