Press Release | August 13, 2016
This is a press release from Metzeler …
Northern Ireland (August 13, 2016) – Metzeler rider Ian Hutchinson continued his stunning form in the 2016 Road Racing season today, picking up four wins and setting a new lap record at the World’s Fastest Road Race, the Ulster Grand Prix. Fellow Metzeler riders Dan Kneen and William Dunlop also enjoyed podium finishes in the Superstock and Supersport classes respectively.
Hutchinson claimed two Supersport podiums
The popular Northern Ireland event again saw thousands of fans pack the hedgerows around the seven-mile Roads circuit to enjoy a day full of action-packed racing. Kicking things off was the Superstock race, and Tyco BMW star Ian Hutchinson leapt off the line from his fourth-row starting position, crossing the start line at the end of the opening lap in the lead. Battling throughout the six lap race, Hutchinson made his move back into the lead on the final lap, crossing the line 0.261s ahead of Michael Dunlop with fellow Metzeler rider Dan Kneen in third. Both Hutchinson and Kneen were using the road-legal Racetec™ RR treaded tire.
Hutchy now the fastest Road Racer in the world
Ian Hutchinson on the Tyco BMW Superbike
The first Supersport race again saw ‘Hutchy’ enjoy a fantastic start, running in second over the opening three laps. Closing dramatically on lap four, it looked set for another battle for the lead over the final laps, however, a red flag at the start of lap five saw the result declared, with Hutchinson and his Team Traction Control Yamaha squad securing second place.
The opening seven-lap Superbike outing proved an enthralling affair, with Hutchinson, Anstey and Dunlop battling for the lead throughout the race. Hutchinson held second for the opening half of the race, with the trio trading places regularly over the final few laps. Able to pull a gap over the final lap, the Tyco BMW star crossed the line first to claim the victory by 0.2s.
Saving it until the final run to the flag in the second Supersport race, Hutchinson ensured it was a grandstand finish, claiming victory on his TTC Yamaha by just over 0.1s ahead of William Dunlop, making it a Metzeler 1-2.
Rounding out the day in style, Ian Hutchinson and Tyco BMW doubled up on Superbike victories, setting a new Ulster Grand Prix lap record on the final circulation in the process. Hutchy’s lap of 3:18.704 was set on the Metzeler Racetec™ RR slicks and with an average speed of 134.089 mph, it makes Hutchy the fastest road racer in the world!
Metzeler UK Racing Manager Jason Griffiths commented: “What a fantastic way to end an incredible event for Metzeler. Ian Hutchinson was superb throughout the day’s racing, starting things off by completing the International ‘hat trick’ of North West 200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix Superstock victories using the Metzeler Racetec™ RR treaded tire. To follow that up with a Supersport victory and a double in the Superbike races, is truly exceptional. That final race also saw him set a new outright lap record on the final lap of the day, confirming Metzeler’s dominance. It was also great to see Dan Kneen, William Dunlop and James Cowton all claim podiums in the Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin classes respectively.”
Ulster Grand Prix Races: Superstock race
1. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
2. Michael Dunlop
3. Dan Kneen (METZELER)
Supersport Race 1
1. Bruce Anstey
2. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
3. Conor Cummins
Superbike Race 1
1. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
2. Bruce Anstey
3. Michael Dunlop
Supersport Race 2
1. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
2. William Dunlop (METZELER)
3. Peter Hickman
Superbike Race 2
1. Ian Hutchinson (METZELER)
2. Bruce Anstey
3. Michael Dunlop
