By blue2bikes
May 19 2005

Michael Rutter took pole position for the North West 200 race, taking place this Saturday, 21st May, with a blinding 122.205 mph lap time - and going through the speed trap at over 201 mph. A succession of British Superbike riders were behind him - namely Steve Plater, taking second position; and John McGuinness in third position.

Michael has already beaten his fastest time set last year, and is now in line to take a further victory, having already beaten his father’s all time record of nine wins.

Michael has already taken ten NW wins, with a double victory last year, and will be going for more wins when the lights turn green at the start of this year’s event.

Steve Plater and John McGuinness will be the ones to watch, as Steve has returned to Honda for this event, with a strong bike, and John will be using this event in readiness for the Isle of Man TT taking place next month.

Mike loves this event, and he will want to go all out for a win to strengthen his domination in the North West 200. He is well liked in Ireland, and has a great following of fans who will be in large numbers to cheer him on.

There are plenty of Irish racers who - as you can see below - are not far behind Mike, and should he have any problems they will be ready to jump in and take the lead, as I am sure they will given any chance at all.

Well over 200,000 thousand people attend this event every year, and travel worldwide to see their favourites racing on a true road circuit.

Qualifying results:
1 NWSBK 2 Michael RUTTER, HM Plant Honda Racing, 4:24.127 122.205
2 NWSBK 9 Steve PLATER, Honda, 4:25.903 1.776 121.389
3 NWSBK 21 John McGUINNESS, AIM Racing / Yamaha UK, 4:27.396 3.269 120.711
4 NWSBK 5 Adrian ARCHIBALD, TAS Suzuki, 4:31.260 7.133 118.991
5 NWSBK 1 Ian LOUGHER, Team DMRR Honda Racing, 4:31.905 7.778 118.709
6 NWSBK 7 Ryan FARQUHAR, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 4:32.064 7.937 118.640
7 NWSBK 8 Richard BRITTON, Team DMRR Honda Racing, 4:32.776 8.649 118.330
8 NWSBK 3 Bruce ANSTEY, TAS Suzuki, 4:32.855 8.728 118.296
9 NWSBK 10 Raymond PORTER, JD’s Yamaha, 4:33.543 9.416 117.998
10 NWSBK 45 Martin FINNEGAN, Vitrans Ten Kate Honda, 4:34.497 10.370 117.588
11 NWSBK 77 Les SHAND, AIM Racing / Yamaha UK, 4:35.854 11.727 117.010
12 NWSBK 28 Denver ROBB, KP Racing Suzuki, 4:36.645 12.518 116.675
13 NWSBK 55 Darran LINDSAY, Robinson Concrete / Uel Suzuki, 4:37.062 12.935 116.500
14 NWSBK 83 Ryan RAINEY, Image Motorsport, Yamaha, 4:38.010 13.883 116.102
15 NWSBK 4 Stephen THOMPSON, P J O’Kane Transport Suzuki, 4:38.337 14.210 115.966
16 NWSBK 25 Rob FROST, CD Racing Suzuki, 4:39.253 15.126 115.586
17 NWSBK 14 Guy MARTIN, Robinson Concrete / Uel Suzuki, 4:39.746 15.619 115.382
18 NWSBK 85 Steve BROGAN, McAdoo / Gortreagh Kawasaki, 4:40.456 16.329 115.090
19 NWSBK 12 John DONNAN, JD’s Yamaha, 4:41.380 17.253 114.712
20 NWSBK 81 Paul HUNT, Suzuki, 4:41.645 17.518 114.604