Ellan Vannin Fuels Solo Championship Race Report
The main solo event; the Ellan Vannin Fuels Championship over 9 laps of the 4.25 miles circuit. Conditions were just about perfect. Mike Browne was, understandably, a non-starter for this race. Davey Todd made another lightning start on his brand new machine; built from scratch post the TT. He led by 30m from Michael Dunlop as they swooped through the S-bend for the first time. The other front row man; Jamie Coward; held third 20m behind Dunlop. Dean Harrison was close behind in fourth; he was 2s ahead of Dom Herbertson and Nathan Harrison. Lap 2 saw Dunlop move a little closer to Todd. Dean Harrison had overtaken Coward; behind them Herbertson; Nathan Harrison and Rob Hodson were having a private scrap for fifth. Todd and Dunlop were the same distance apart on lap 3; but were being hauled in by Dean Harrison who was fastest man on track on laps 2, 3 and 4. Coward was in a lonely fourth; with Nathan Harrison 30m ahead of Herbertson in fifth.
It was closer on lap 4; Dunlop just a few metres behind Todd; whilst Harrison had cut his deficit to Dunlop to just 20m. The race was providing excellent entertainment for the large crowd. The gaps were the same on lap 5 as the pace picked up. Lap 6 saw Dunlop right in Todd’s wheel track; Dean Harrison was having a minor brake issue that caused him to lose some ground.
No change on lap on laps 7 or 8 as Dunlop stayed close, waiting for the chance to pounce. Behind them, Rob Hodson was closing his deficit to Nathan Harrison. On the final lap Todd led by 10m from Dunlop who gained great drive out of the corner. He managed to pass Todd on the run into Stadium; but then had to let the brakes off and run wide at Castletown Corner or risk losing the front end. This allowed Todd to power past going out of the corner. Todd thus secured his second Championship victory by 3.123s; Dunlop set the best lap at 116.670mph on the 8th lap. Dean Harrison took the final podium place 5.285s down on Dunlop. Jamie Coward, Nathan Harrison and Dom Herbertson completed our top 6. Erno Kostamo continued to impress; he was best newcomer, having lapped at 109.542mph on lap 8. It was obvious from the interviews after this race, and the morning’s Senior, that Michael and Davey have a huge respect for each other.
Words: Richard Radcliffe
Image: Callum Staley
