Ryan Farquhar and the SGS International/KMR Kawasaki team enjoyed an extremely profitable week of racing at the Isle of Man TT Races with the four riders – Ryan, Keith Amor, Danny Webb and Connor Behan – finishing all nine races they started, picking up a total of four silver and five bronze replicas.
The highlight came in Friday’s three lap lightweight race when all four riders finished inside the top 13 on the ER6 650cc Kawasakis winning four silver replicas in the process. Amor took the best finish in fourth, only three seconds off a podium place, and also set the fastest lap of the race at 118.989mph, which was just outside the class lap record. Team owner Farquhar finished in a strong seventh with Behan, who made the step up to the TT after a year at the Manx GP, in a superb ninth and newcomer Webb having a brilliant ride into 13th.
Behan was also out in the two 4-lap Supersport races finishing 36th in the first and improving to an extremely strong 20th in the second. He won a bronze replica in each whilst the second race saw him lap at an excellent 120.331mph. Webb, meanwhile, lapped in excess of 120mph on the team’s Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock machine in each of the 1000cc races finishing 30th, 36th and 37th in the Senior, Superbike and Superstock races respectively. He won a bronze replica in each, which made it four replicas from four starts, with his fastest lap of the week coming on the final lap of the Senior at 120.991mph.
The only low point for the team was the injuries sustained by Joe Faragher in the Superstock race. The Manxman, who was due to ride a KMR-prepared Kawasaki in the Lightweight race, was involved in an incident which sadly claimed the life of former British Supersport Champion Karl Harris.
Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Farquhar said: “First of all, on behalf of everyone connected with SGS International/KMR Kawasaki, I’d like to pass on my deepest condolences to all of Karl’s family and friends. Joe was involved in the incident and although he’s suffered some significant injuries and faces a long spell on the sidelines, he should make a full recovery and we’re all thankful of that.”
“On a personal level, this year’s TT was probably my best in terms of enjoyment as there was less pressure on me and I’m really pleased to have had every bike finish every race. Both Connor and Danny did extremely well with great results and excellent lap times so I couldn’t be more pleased with how they performed at their first TT. Keith did a great job too and if he’d have got going from the start, he’d have been in with a chance of winning. His first lap was probably what made the difference but he got stuck in and with the fastest lap of the race on the third and final lap, he only just missed out on the podium. To get four bikes in the top 13 in the Lightweight race was spot on.”
“My race could have been better and I think I paid for a lack of track time. With only the one bike, I didn’t get many laps in so if I’m back for another go next year, I’ll look at riding in another class. I had to rebuild the engine the day before the race and took a bit of a gamble with the gearing, which didn’t work out, but it probably wouldn’t have mattered too much as I wouldn’t have been comfortable pushing any harder. I definitely enjoyed the race though and had some fun. Many of my previous TT’s have been nothing but stress from start to finish and although it was a massive job getting all the bikes ready, this year was different and more enjoyable.”
Ryan will be back in action on the weekend of June 21/22 when he’ll be contesting the Barry Sheene Classic Road Races at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough on Roger Winfield’s 500cc Paton and 1000 Harris Yamaha.
Photo by Paul Woodlock - Keith Amor and Ryan Farquhar in action at Greeba Bridge
