Anstey is only just outside John McGuinness’ 250cc lap record, set in 2002, in this evening’s Classic TT practice

Valvoline by Padgett’s star Bruce Anstey set fire to the Mountain Course in this evening’s Classic TT practice, setting a 118.24mph lap which is just outside John McGuinness’ record of 118.29 set in 2002.

The flying Kiwi was clearly conservative on his opening lap of 111.328mph as he was 42 seconds up for the first sector to Glen Helen on his second lap and was running at an average of 130mph to Ramsey before clocking his best lap.

Anstey is almost 40 seconds ahead of Ian Lougher’s lap on the Laylaw Yamaha in Tuesday’s session and he is now the runaway favourite for tomorrow’s race.

Ryan Kneen finished as the third fastest qualifier for the class with his time from Thursday’s session with Charles Rhys Hardistry improving his time with a 110.553 (20.28.623), the second fastest on the night and fourth overall.

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