Lougher heads NW practice

Ryan Farquhar was seventh fastest in Tuesday's practice

Dromore-based Welshman Ian Lougher was fastest in Tuesday's opening practice for Saturday's North West 200.

However, Tuesday's session had to be curtailed because of a number of minor accidents which meant that the superbikes didn't get any laps.

Lougher's best speed came in the production class 114.41 which left him ahead of Ryan Rainey (112.84) and Rob Frost (112.73).

Bruce Anstey (112.30) was fastest in the 600 class ahead of Michael Rutter.

Dungannon road racer Ryan Farquhar, passed fit to compete, was seventh fastest in the opening production class session.

Darran Lindsay topped the 125 practice ahead of Chris Palmer while Alex Donaldson was fastest in the Supersport 400 practice.

Welsh youngster Jay Bellers-Smith and Ian Hutchinson were involved in the accidents which halted practice for a time but neither sustained serious injuries.

Practice speeds

Production:
I Lougher 114.41, R Rainey 112.84, R Frost 112.73, L Shand 112.52, P Cranston 112.91, S Thompson 112.11
600cc
B Anstey 112.30, M Rutter 112.12, J McGuinness 111.96, M Finnegan 111.79, R Britton 111.24, C Ramsay 110.61
125cc
D Lindsay 100.34, C Palmer 99.66, M Wilcox 99.02, M Curtin 98.58, I Lougher 98.53, W Dunlop 97.63
Supersport 400
Alex Donaldson 100.16.