There is no challenge on Earth like the Isle of Man TT, the world-famous 37¾-mile circuit attracting the best road racers and biggest motorcycle manufacturers. With speeds approaching 200mph, the riders are just inches from walls and hedges as they flash along roads normally used by Manx residents for their everyday business. Through towns, villages, glens and spectacular mountain scenery the dramatic racing unfolds in a two-week festival of speed.
Ryan Farquhar was on the pace in Tuesday's opening practice sessions for the 2008 North West 200 on the Q8Oils lubricated McAdoo Kawasaki race bikes. Despite some minor set-up issues, Ryan ended the evening third, sixth and seventh fastest in the Supersport 600, Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes respectively. Out first on the new 2008 ZX-10R Kawasaki Superbike, Ryan went straight to the top of the timesheets during the opening laps of practice. He felt that the bike was really powerful and recorded the fastest speed trap time of the evening at 195.1mph with the on-board GPS system. Ryan lost a bit of track time trying to perfect the rear suspension but still ended the session a promising sixth fastest average speed of 118.702mph.
Ryan Farquhar dominated the Cookstown 100 race meeting on his Q8Oils lubricated Kawasaki, winning both Superbike races and the overall ‘Man of the Meeting’ award. As the McAdoo Kawasaki team’s 2008 ZX-10R Superbike wasn’t yet ready for action Farquhar raced on his ‘07 machine. In warm and sunny conditions Ryan started as he meant to continue, winning the opening 10-lap Superbike race from Martin Finnegan and Scotland’s Keith Amor.