TTXGP: Rob Barber takes first ever TTXGP win

TT history was created this morning when Rob Barber won the first-ever no emissions TT race.

Barber led the TTX GP from the early stages and crossed the line at the end of the one lap race with a time of 25m 53.5s, 87.43mph, just inside the 50cc TT lap record of 86.49mph, set by Ralph Bryans in 1966.

Barber, riding for Team Agni in the Pro class, finished a whopping 3m 11.43s ahead of second place Thomas Schoenfelder on the XXL Racing Team entry. Schoenfelder clocked the fast time through the Sulby speed trap of 106.5mph, the only rider to exceed 100mph.

Barber said: “I’m really pleased for Cedric (Lynch – the creator of the winning machine who has been building electric bikes for competition since 1981). He really wanted to beat that 50cc record and we’ve done it.

“The machine raced well although it just started to splutter along the Glencrutchery Road (finish line).”

Third went to Mark Buckley on a Brammo, 4:09.14 behind the winner. Thomas Montano was fourth for Mission Motors, another 30s adrift.

Fifth overall, Chris Heath clinched the open class by 2min 5sec on the Electric Motorsport entry when Chris Petty coasted over the line on his Barefoot Motors machine. John Crellin completed the top three. 

13 machines started the race, eight finished.