Kiwi Anstey dominates in the TT Zero race
Bruce Anstey retained his SES TT Zero title with victory in Friday’s afternoon’s race at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.
The popular New Zealand rider was never headed and won the race in a time of 117.710 with a race time of (19:13.924) from his Mugen Shinden teammate Guy Martin 113.632 mph (19:55.331) with Nottingham University’s Daley Mathison 109.209mph (20:43.748) taking the final podium place. Dean Harrison, competing for Belgian team Sarolea who achieved their fastest lap with a time of 108.064mph and won a bronze replica, finished fourth in 108.064 mph 20:56.924.
Anstey had already established a commanding lead of over 10 seconds from Martin by the first checkpoint at Glen Helen with Mathison 14 seconds back in third but already establishing a 2 second gap over his nearest challenger Harrison in fourth.
By Ballaugh Anstey’s lead had stretched to 18 seconds from his Mugen team mate although Martin clocked the fastest time through Sulby speed trap with 162.9 to the Kiwi’s 162.1. The time was noticeable as it was faster than any of the Lightweight times through Sulby during the previous day’s race.
Guy Martin hit 162.9 mph through the Sulby straight speed trap
By Ramsey Anstey’s was a decisive lead of almost thirty seconds from Martin with Mathison maintaining third from Harrison.
Anstey maintained a healthy lead over the nine mile Mountain section and duly brought his machine home to win the race from Martin with Mathison claiming University honours in third and Harrison getting the Sarolea machine over the line in fourth after last year’s disappointment.
Final podium spot went to Mathison in third place
The returning Spanish rider Antonio Maeso brought the second Nottingham University machine home in fifth in a time of 91.197mph 24:49.385 with James Cowton for the Brunel University team in sixth in 90.963 mph 24:53.229 , Adam Child on the MCN Moto Corsa seventh and Matthew Rees racing for Bath University in eighth.
The race was notable for the fact that all eight starters finished this year’s race.
Speaking at the post race press conference Anstey said
“Thanks to Mugen for bringing me back at the last minute. I was really hoping to do a 120mph lap but the conditions weren’t right. Maybe next year i will?
I was really comfortable dropping in to the team at the last minute with only a few days notice. It’s a great ride – just like a 250 and it has got great corner speed. I think that the corner speed is faster than what you do on a superbike”
Martin also stated.
“ I enjoyed that and as Bruce says you have to ride it like the old 250cc 2 strokes i will certainly have to work on my style to get the ultimate best out of the machine, But what a bike the technical side is just spot on i love it “
Words by John Mushet
Images by Glynne Lewis
