Farquhar's Manx double continues Duke Rankings dominance

Ryan Farquhar overcame a nasty practice spill to take a double victory at last week’s Manx Grand Prix and continue his amazing run of success in 2009.

The Dungannon rider slipped off his 350cc Honda at Guthrie’s Memorial in the final practice session, sustaining a broken bone in his hand, but he re-grouped to take both the Post Classic (riding a replica XR69 Suzuki GS1000) and 500cc Classic (on a Paton) victories, smashing the lap record in the latter to become the first man to lap at over 110mph on a Classic machine.

Manxman Dan Sayle repeated his success of last year lifting the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix trophy, coming home 0.20s ahead of Neil Kent after 150-miles of wheel-to-wheel racing.

Fellow ‘Manxies’ Sean Murphy claimed victory in the Newcomers’ A Race, Chris McGahan the Junior Classic, whilst Carolynn Sells became the first lady competitor to not only win a Manx Grand Prix race, but also the first female to win a solo race on the Snaefell Mountain Course or other courses used during the Isle of Man TT Races since 1907!

Adrian Kershaw took the Newcomers B honours, Brian Mateer the Post Classic two-stroke win. Ewan Hamilton made it a hat-trick of Lightweight Classic victories. Stephen McIlvenna took the Junior Manx Grand Prix victory and Michael Russell the Senior Manx Grand Prix.

Farquhar added a further 140 points to his Duke Rankings points tally, whilst Guy Martin’s runner-up place behind Ryan in the Post Classic race – also on an XR69 Suzuki moves him up one position to sixth. Paul Coward climbs seven places to 17th, whilst Davy Morgan advances four to 34th. Carolynn’s historic achievement elevates her to 142nd place in the rankings!

The penultimate round of the 2009 Duke Road Race Rankings, The Country Crest Killalane National Road Races takes place this coming weekend 12th & 13th September.

Points
1 Ryan Farquhar 4454,
2 Michael Dunlop 2265,
3 William Dunlop 1792,
4 Ian Lougher 1493,
5 John Burrows 1222,
6 Guy Martin 1028,
7 Keith Amor 991,
8 Conor Cummins 900
9 Chris Palmer 791,
10 Ian Hutchinson 739.